Great News on Benefits
Hi All,
The following information was sent out today regarding the spending of the 11 odd million dollars negotiated for benefits improvements in the last round of bargaining:
We have reached a tentative agreement with BCPSEA regarding improvements to the Provincial Standard EHB Plan and local dental plans, and to the “in lieu of benefits” amounts for TTOCs. Kathy Couch, Carol Berube, John Wadge, and I met with BCPSEA on October 21 and 31, 2014 to discuss the details of the application of the $11,850,000 negotiated in the last round of bargaining for benefit improvements.
The improvements are intended to bring dental plans up to a minimum standard, as well as make improvements to the Provincial Standard EHB Plan consistent with proposals tabled during bargaining. Locals not currently part of this plan may wish to consider joining in light of the improvements. A decision to join the Provincial Standard EHB Plan is subject to a vote of the local membership.
The improvements to dental benefits will be applied to the local plans. Effective July 1, 2015, all plans will permit dual coverage for spouses/partners who are teachers. In addition, all plans will pay a minimum of 75% for orthodontics with a lifetime maximum of $5,000. Effective July 1, 2018 all plans will pay a minimum of 85% of basic services (Plan A) and 60% of major services (Plan B).
Improvements by year:
August 2014 — Improvements to the Provincial Standard EHB Plan (see chart below).
July 1, 2015 — Dental plan improvements: Dual coverage for spouses/partners who are teachers, and 75% provincial minimum reimbursement for orthodontics with a lifetime maximum of $5,000. Dental plans with inferior orthodontic benefits will be brought up to the provincial minimum.
July 1, 2016 — $3 per day in lieu of benefits for TTOCs will be increased to $11 per day.
July 1, 2017 — Improvements to the Provincial Standard EHB Plan.
July 1, 2018 — Improvement to the Provincial Standard EHB Plan and local dental plans: Provincial minimum reimbursement of 85% on basic dental services and 60% on major dental services. Plans with inferior reimbursement rates will be brought up to the provincial minimum.
The $11,850,000 is spread out over the last five years of the collective agreement. (See D. of the MOA)
The improvements will be phased in as follows:
| Provincial Standardized EHB Plan |
| Current | 2014–15 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | |
| Fertility | N/A | $20,000 LTM | ||
| Hearing Aids | $1,000 (5yrs) | $2,000 (4yrs) | $2,700 (4yrs) | $3,500 (4 yrs) |
| Ortho Shoes | $400 | $500 | ||
| Orthotics | $200 | $400 | $500 | |
| Vision | $200 | $400 | $500 | $550 |
| Eye Exam | Included in Max | Separate | ||
| Naturopath | $500 | $800 | $900 | |
| Chiropractor | $500 | $800 | $900 | |
| Massage | $500 | $800 | $900 | |
| Physiotherapy | $500 | $800 | $850 | $900 |
| Psychologist | $500 | $700 | $900 | |
| Acupuncture | $500 | $700 | $800 | $900 |
| Pod/Chiro/Speech | $500 | $700 | $800 |
| Local Dental Plans |
| Plan | 2015–16 | 2018–19 |
| Basic | No Change | No Change |
| Major | No Change | No Change |
| Orthodontics | Plan pays 75%—LTM $5,000 |
The Provincial Standard EHB Plan changes for this year will be in effect August 1, 2014. Claims will be adjusted retroactively. The process for adjustment of claims is currently under discussion and will be determined in the next few weeks. We will send out updates as details are worked out.
Cheers,
Shawn Gough
Vancouver Island North Teachers’ Association
Local President
lp85@bctf.ca
250-949-8888 office
250-902-9500 cell