"Mental health is a state of well-being, and we all have it. We might have a mental illness, and we might not. Either way, we can all feel well. We can all have good mental health. It is about having a sense of purpose, strong relationships, feeling connected to our communities, knowing who we are, coping with stress and enjoying life. And it's never too early or too late to get there. But it's not just about what you do for yourself, by yourself-everyone needs healthy and supportive places to work, live and learn."
Bring awareness on Mental Health Week, May 6-12, 2019. For ideas and free tools see
If you have any comments or concerns, do not hesitate to
email
me.
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UBCM Group Benefits Newsletter
April 2019
Last month I provided our new Service Representative for UBCM, Jill Linsangan contact information that was incorrect. Please find her correct phone number below:
Service Representative
604 419-2171
Learn about the National Standard
Create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace using these tips from the National Standard. Watch video.
Just a reminder.....Your Employer Responsibilities:
As an employer, it is your responsibility to:
- Ensure that all employee applications, waivers, changes, and terminations are completed correctly, signed by the employee and you as required, and forwarded by you within the time limits.
- Provide employees with EHC claim forms (Dental claim forms are provided by dentists) or direct them to the Pacific Blue Cross/BC Life website where they can submit an eClaim or access an EHC claim form.
- Distribute plan booklets and identification (ID) cards to employees covered by your plan.
- Offer guidance when an employee needs help with a claim, provide contact numbers.
- Inform terminated employees of the option to convert benefits to an Individual plan.
- Apply enrollment rules when enrolling.
- Pay your monthly invoice on time.
Breaking down the cost of prescription drugs
When filling your prescription at the pharmacy, have you ever wondered what makes up the price of your drugs and if there are any ways to help reduce the cost? Dispensing fees and mark-ups are two factors that affect the price of prescription drugs. To help control increasing costs, you can shop around for the lowest dispensing fees and markup. This lowers your out-of-pocket expenses and maintains the sustainability of your health care plan.
What is a dispensing fee?
A dispensing fee charged to you by the pharmacy covers services such as verifying a prescription, reviewing of your medications profile to check for interactions, identifying and resolving problems with the prescription, billing to a third party, and patient counselling. It can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Pacific Blue Cross data shows dispensing fees can range from $4.49 to $15 or more. The average is approximately $10.
What is a mark-up?
A mark-up is a percentage added to the manufacturer's list price of a drug. It includes a wholesale mark-up and retail mark-up, which can vary quite significantly between pharmacies. Did you know some pharmacies can charge an average mark-up as low as 2%, and some as high an average of 92%? PBC negotiated the lowest possible rates in their
Preferred Pharmacy Network
(PPN). You can use their
Pharmacy Compass
Tool to find the best prices in your area.
Understanding drug costs
The Workplace Wellness Scoop
During the workday, nudges can be used to encourage us to sneak in extra movement and limit uninterrupted sitting. They are a great way to help shift the overall culture of an organization to one that embraces and supports physical activity. Though typically small and subtle, nudges can have huge impacts on a company and its employees.
Learn more
about how-to nudge your workplace to move more.
On March 19, 2019, the Canadian government released Budget 2019: Investing in the Middle Class (Budget 2019).
While the Government awaits the final report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, Budget 2019 took initial steps based on the Advisory Council's consultations and interim report, released in early March 2019. Budget 2019 announced the Government's intention to
move
forward on three foundational elements of national pharmacare:
- the creation of the Canadian DrugAgency
- in partnership with provinces, territories and stakeholders, part of the Agency's work will be taking steps toward the development of anational formulary
- a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases to help Canadians get better access to the effective treatments theyneed
Workers' Compensation - A Review
On April 3, 2019, the Ministry of Labour announced a formal review of its workers compensation system.
To shift the workers' compensation system to become more worker centered, the review will assess:
- The system's policies and practices that support injured workes' return to work
- WorkSafeBC's current policies and practices through a gender and diversity-based analysis (commonly referred to as GBA+)
- Modernization of WorkSafeBC's culture to reflect a worker-centric service delivery model
- The case management of injured works; and any potential amendments to the Workers Compensation Act arising from this focused review
There will be public consultations and a report, including possible recommendations to be delivered the BC government by September 30, 2019.
New Regulator Authority for Insurance Companies
On April 4, 2019, Bill 26 - Financial Services Authority Act, 2019 received its first reading. This bill purports to establish the BC Financial Services Authority (Authority) to replace the Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM).
FICOM will continue as the regulator until the Authority is fully operational. The Authority will:
- Be an independent Crown agency
- Regulate credit unions, insurance and trust companies, pensions and mortgage brokers
- Be a self-funded Crown agency focused on sector regulation. It will not raise provincial revenue.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits are available without a reduction at age 65, but Canadians can choose to start a pension as early as age 60 with an early retirement reduction of 7.2% per year (36% reduction at age 60), or they can choose to delay commencement after age 65 with an actuarial increase in the CPP benefit of 8.4% per year to a maximum increase of 42% if commencement is delayed until age 70. There is no additional increase if commencement is delayed past age 70.
Currently CPP benefits do not start automatically, individuals must apply to start CPP benefits. The government intends to introduce amendments that will automatically start CPP benefits for any Canadian over age 70.
Budget 2019 proposes to expand health-related tax relief under the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) system. Included are: some fertility treatments, some devices related to podiatry and chiropody, and some multidisciplinary health provider services. Changes will come into effect on March 20, 2019. These changes are expected to have a minor impact on private drug plans.
City of Nanaimo and CUPE Reach Deal
The City of Nanaimo and CUPE Local 401 have reached a four-year agreement, covering January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022. The agreement provides a general wage increase of two percent per year, along with some enhancements to certain benefits and allowances.
qathet Regional District Ratifies New Five-Year Agreement
Both the qathet Regional District and their workers, represented by CUPE 798, are celebrating the ratification of a new collective
agreement. The five-year agreement was negotiated over four days of bargaining and features 2 percent wage increases in the first four years plus a 2.25 percent wage increase in the final year. It also addresses improvements to health coverage and recognizes the evolving and increasingly skilled work of labourer positions.
Happy Local Government Awareness Week
The 2019 Local Government Awareness Week is May 15-21, and coincides with National Public Works Week. A website with resources and local success stories is available to support local activities.
Contact us at:
Anna-Maria Wijesinghe
Nathan Roeters
Manager, Member & Association Services
Account Executive
Union of BC Municipalities
Pacific Blue Cross
Phone: 604.270.8226 (ext. 111) Phone: 604.419.2412
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