Article 15: Medical, Extended Health and Dental Plan, and Group Life

15.01

The Employer agrees to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly premium for basic medical coverage for Residents and their dependants under a plan approved by the Medical Services Commission of B.C., or pay the equivalent of the cost of the B.C. Medical Services Plan premiums to private health insurers on behalf of those Residents who are working on employment visas at Employers covered by this Agreement.

15.02

Membership in the plan is a condition of continuing appointment for Residents who are not members or dependants of members of another approved medical plan.

15.03

A dependent is a spouse (including common-law), child, adopted child, or legal ward, who is so classified for income tax purposes. If the plan agrees, the Resident may pay the full premium for non-dependants through payroll deduction.

15.04

Prior to January 1, 2013, the Employer will pay one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly premium for extended health benefit coverage for Residents and their dependants under the existing Pacific Blue Cross plan or any other plan providing equivalent coverage. Effective January 1, 2013, the Employer will pay ninety percent (90%) of the monthly premium and the Resident will pay ten percent (10%) of the monthly premium; the deductible for extended health benefit coverage will be increased from $25.00 to $75.00. The plan benefits will include:

i) The maximum lifetime amount payable per eligible Resident or eligible dependant shall be unlimited; and,

ii) The allowance for vision care will be $225.00 every twenty-four (24) months per eligible Resident or eligible dependant; and,

iii) The allowance for hearing aids will be $600.00 every forty-eight (48) months per eligible Resident or eligible dependant.

iv) The Extended Health Direct Pay Card similar to “Bluenet”.

v) “A Medical Referral Transportation Benefit” comparable to standard plans that provide coverage for out-of-town travel for a Resident or dependent who is referred to a specialist or is referred for medical treatment.

vi) Reinstatement of Pharmacare-tie in effective January 1, 2013 on prescription drugs, maintain exclusion of lifestyle drugs, add reference to low-cost alternatives and referenced-based priced drugs.

vii) Contraceptives (including oral, injectables and IUD) effective January 1, 2013.

15.05

The Employer will pay all the monthly premiums for a dental plan. Effective January 1, 2013, the Employer will pay ninety percent (90%) of the monthly premium and the Resident will pay ten percent (10%) of the monthly premiums for dental benefits.

Coverage will be:

i) One hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the basic existing plan “A”;

ii) Sixty percent (60%) of the cost of the extended plan “B” and;

iii) Sixty percent (60%) of the cost of the extended plan “C” (Orthodontic Plan) subject to a lifetime maximum payment of $2,750.00 per eligible Resident or eligible dependant with no run-offs for claims after Termination of employment.

A Resident is eligible for orthodontic services under plan “C” after twelve (12) months’ participation in the plan.

The dental plan will cover Residents and their eligible dependants under the Pacific Blue Cross plan, or any other plan providing equivalent coverage.

15.06

The Dental Plan shall cover Residents, their spouses (including common law) and children who are eligible and acceptable to the plan, provided they are not enrolled in another comparable plan.

15.07

Effective January 1, 2013, the Employer will no longer provide long-term disability coverage.  Each Resident shall purchase and maintain his/her own long-term disability coverage at his/her cost. A Resident who is currently in receipt of benefits under the Long-Term Disability Plan in effect at December 31, 2012 will continue to receive benefits under the Plan for as long as they continue to meet the definition of disability under the Plan.  A Resident who has established a date of disability prior to January 1, 2013 will continue to be eligible for benefits under the Plan.

15.08

Regular full-time and regular part-time Residents shall, upon completion of three (3) months’ employment, become members of a Group Life Insurance Plan.

The plan shall provide basic life insurance in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Effective January 1, 2013, the Employer will pay ninety percent (90%) and the Residents will pay ten percent (10%) of the monthly premiums for The Group Life Insurance Plan.

15.09

A common-law spouse includes a person living with a Resident as a spousal partner for a period of not less than one (1) year.

15.10

Upon Termination of employment, all health and welfare benefits (except MSP) to which a Resident is entitled shall terminate.

15.11

Coverage under the above Plans becomes effective from the first day of the calendar month following the date of enrolment.