UBC Group MSP Ends Jan. 1, 2020
There are important changes coming to UBC’s Group Medical Services Plan (MSP).
The MSP is the provincial government program that covers medically-required services provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures.
The BC Ministry of Health previously announced that effective Jan. 1, 2020 MSP premiums will be eliminated. The MSP program administered by Health Insurance BC (HIBC) will continue to provide provincially-insured health care benefits for eligible BC residents. Due to the elimination of monthly premiums, UBC will no longer administer a Group MSP for its employees. Instead, your MSP account will be managed directly by HIBC.
Next Steps
You do not need to re-apply for MSP coverage. HIBC will automatically put you and any existing dependents into a self-administered MSP account when UBC’s Group Plan ends on Jan. 1, 2020. You will receive a letter from HIBC with current account information when your new MSP account is created.
Maintain Your MSP Account with HIBC
After UBC’s MSP group plan ends on Jan. 1, 2020, you will be responsible for keeping your MSP account up-to-date and requesting changes. Notify HIBC directly at www.gov.bc.ca/ManagingYourMSPAccount if you need to change or update any of the following details:
- Change your address
- Your personal information, or information for other individuals on your account (e.g. name, date of birth, or gender)
- To add and/or remove a spouse, including common-law partner or child(ren)
- Your status in Canada (e.g. new work permit, study permit, or confirmation of permanent residence)
Address Reminder
It is also important that HIBC has your current address on file before Jan. 1, 2020. To update your address, visit www.addresschange.gov.bc.ca or contact UBC’s Payroll Benefits Representatives.
For more information:
If you are currently enrolled in a UBC Group MSP Plan, you will receive a memo on Nov. 21 with more detailed information.
- Questions about your MSP coverage
- To request an MSP Account Confirmation Letter
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
BC PharmaCare’s Biosimilar Initiative
What does the BC government’s Biosimilars Initiative for Patients mean for UBC’s Extended Health plan members? In this article, we provide details about the new program and the impact for those patients taking one of the three identified biologic drugs identified by BC PharmaCare.
Background
Earlier this year, the BC government announced its biosimilar initiative – a program to increase the use of biosimilar drugs with the goal of improving the long-term sustainability of the BC PharmaCare program.
The initiative will require patients to transition from a reference biologic drug to a biosimilar drug which is the same active ingredient and strength as the reference product. Biologics include a wide range of pharmaceutical products produced by living cells. According to the BC government, biosimilars are equally as safe and effective and have the same clinical outcomes as the reference biologic product. Biosimilars are typically less expensive and available after the patent for biologics expire.
For more information on this initiative, please visit the BC government’s website on Biosimilars Initiative for Patients.
What is changing?
Under the BC PharmaCare program, patients taking either of the three biologic drugs – Enbrel®, Remicade®, and Lantus® – must transition to biosimilars in order to receive coverage. The changes will happen over two phases:
Phase 1 – Effective Nov. 26, 2019
Patients have until Nov. 25, 2019, to consult with their physician to change their prescriptions to the applicable biosimilar based on the condition/indication listed below. After that, BC’s PharmaCare program will only provide coverage for Enbrel®, Lantus® and Remicade® for certain medical conditions on an exception basis.
| Biologic Originator |
Biosimilar | Condition/Indication |
| Enbrel® | Brenzys® | Ankylosing spondylitis
Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Erelzi™ | Ankylosing spondylitis
Rheumatoid arthritis Psoriatic arthritis |
|
| Remicade® | Inflectra®
Renflexis® |
Ankylosing spondylitis
Rheumatoid arthritis Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis |
| Lantus® | Basaglar™ | Diabetes (type 1 and 2) |
Phase 2 – Effective Mar. 6, 2020
Patients have until Mar. 5, 2020, to consult with their physician to change their prescription to the applicable biosimilar based on the condition/indication listed below. After that, BC’s PharmaCare program will only provide coverage for Remicade for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis on an exception basis.
| Biologic Originator |
Biosimilar | Condition / Indication |
| Remicade® | Inflectra®
Renflexis® |
Crohn’s Disease
Ulcerative colitis |
What does this mean for UBC plan members?
Plan members (and their eligible dependents) taking biologics for the conditions/indications above prior to the changes:
UBC plan members receiving reimbursement under the Extended Health plan for any of the biologic drugs listed above prior to the changes will not be required to transition to the biosimilar. However, it is recommended that plan members discuss applicable biosimilar treatment options with their health care team. If current plan members choose to remain on the biologic, there are a few factors to be aware of:
- Unless a plan member has received an exception to continue with their current biologic drug, the costs will no longer accumulate towards their BC PharmaCare family deductible or overall maximum. Find out more about the BC PharmaCare deductible here.
- Other insurance carriers may no longer be covering the affected biologic drugs which may impact coordination of benefits through a spouse’s plan.
- If a plan member leaves UBC or retires, the biologic may not be covered under their new plan, UBC’s retiree extended health plan, or the BC PharmaCare program.
Plan members (and their eligible dependents) submitting new prescription drug claims for the conditions/indications above:
Plan members submitting new prescription drug claims for one of the conditions/indications noted above will only be covered for the biosimilar drug provided they are approved under UBC’s FACET prior authorization drug program, aligning with the BC PharmaCare program initiative. Once the BC PharmaCare deductible has been satisfied, claims reimbursement will be coordinated with BC PharmaCare.
Visit the BC government’s Fair PharmaCare Plan for more information on the BC PharmCare program, including deductibles and maximums.
Questions?
BC PharmaCare has been proactive in communicating these changes and providing resources for prescribers and pharmacists. It is likely that many affected members are already aware of the change. However, if you have any questions, please contact benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Plan Ahead for Your Retirement
The key to a smooth transition into your retirement from UBC is planning ahead of time. Whether you have started this process or are considering it, our Retiring website is a very helpful resource.
This website provides all the information and steps you’ll need to consider to ensure that everything is wrapped up before you retire from UBC. For example, you can explore the option of enrolling in the Retirement and Survivor Benefits Program, which includes extended health and dental plans, as well as the Employee & Family Assistance Program.
Also a valuable resource, the Pension Administration Office (PAO) has retirement checklists and guides on their websites – both for staff and faculty. The PAO hosts seminars and workshops to help you understand your retirement options. If you are within a year of retiring, you are encouraged to schedule a meeting with a member services specialist to review your options.
If you have questions related to the UBC Staff Pension Plan or UBC Faculty Pension Plan, please contact the UBC Pension Administration Office at 604-822-8100.
Remember, retiring from UBC doesn’t mean you have to retire from campus life all together. As an important member of our community, you have Privileges After Retiring, including access to a UBC Library Card and free walking tours at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. Be sure to check them out!
For more information:
- Leaving UBC
- UBC Staff Pension Plan
- UBC Faculty Pension Plan
- Retirement and Survivor Benefits Program (RSB)
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Life Events and Their Impact on Your Benefits
Life happens, and when events like separation, divorce or the death of a spouse occurs, it can be an overwhelming time. Because there are often important administrative tasks to take care of after a life event, this article provides a summary of the things you’ll need to consider when it comes to your benefits, life insurance and pensions.
Extended Health and Dental Benefits
If your marital status changes due to a divorce, dissolution of your common-law relationship or becoming widowed, you must remove your spouse from your Extended Health plan, Dental plan and EFAP coverage.
If you must maintain medical and dental coverage for your ex-spouse as a result of divorce and/or dissolution of a relationship agreement, then you will need to purchase individual private coverage.
Your spouse may remain covered under your plans if you are separated, but still legally married.
To remove your former spouse, please complete the following forms:
- Extended Health and Dental Change Form
- Employee and Family Assistance Program Form (Note: Please indicate “terminate” in the Dependent Name box, as well as the date of divorce or death.)
Life insurance
When your marital status changes due to marriage, divorce, dissolution of a common-law relationship or becoming widowed, you should also review your beneficiary designation(s) for:
- Basic group life insurance
- Optional group life insurance (if applicable)
- Optional group accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) (if applicable)
Getting divorced does not automatically change your beneficiary from your former spouse. It is your responsibility to complete any updates to your beneficiaries.
To update your beneficiary designation, complete the following applicable forms:
- Basic Group Life Insurance Change Form
- Optional Group Life and AD&D Beneficiary Change Form (Note: The same form is used to name beneficiaries for either coverage.)
If you are enrolled in the optional group spousal life insurance and optional spousal AD&D coverage, you will need to cancel coverage by completing this Optional Life Change Form.
All completed forms should be returned to:
Vancouver Campus
Attention: Payroll
UBC Financial Operations
5th Floor – TEF 3
6190 Agronomy Road
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Okanagan Campus
UBC Finance Operations and Strategies
EME 2171 – 1137 Alumni Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7
UBC Pensions
Remember to notify UBC Pensions if there is a change in your marital status. You can contact the UBC Pensions Administration Office by calling 604-822-8100 or visit the following website for more information:
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Health & Wellbeing 2020 Preview
The fall has gone by in a flash, but the Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team has a lot in store for the new year! In support of UBC’s commitment to enhancing workplace wellbeing, UBC HR continues to offer unique personal and professional development opportunities to faculty and staff.
You can get a glimpse of what is to come below. Save the dates and keep an eye on the Healthy UBC newsletter to learn more.
Search Inside Yourself
Developed at Google and founded in neuroscience, Search Inside Yourself is a training program that uses emotional intelligence and mindfulness to optimize performance, build leadership skills and increase wellbeing. Save the 2020 dates: Jan. 28 and 29 (registration will open on Dec. 4, 2019).
Travelling Health Fair
This free mobile health clinic is offered once a year in collaboration with the UBC Pharmacists Clinic. Offering one-on-one health assessments and consultations, the 2020 fair will focus on chronic disease prevention. Save the 2020 dates: Feb. 12, 18 to 20, and 26 (details to come soon).
The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health Training
This evidence-based training program was designed to address and promote mental health, and to reduce stigma in a workplace setting. It includes scenario-based practical applications, custom videos of people with lived experience of mental illness, participant reference guides, and related handouts.
- The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health Training for Faculty and Staff (coming Feb. 2020)
- The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health Training for Managers (coming Mar. 2020)
For more information, visit our mental health training programs and on-demand workshops page.
A Reminder and Wish for Your Holiday Wellbeing
The upcoming holiday season can often be both festive and frenetic. With long to-do lists, social commitments and holiday obligations to fulfill, it can all feel a little overwhelming. If you need support at any point, consider reaching out to UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
EFAP provides confidential counselling and work-life consultations to eligible UBC faculty, staff and their dependents. It can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including over the holidays.
From the Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team, we wish you all the best this holiday season. We’ll see you in the new year on your continued path to wellbeing.
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Photo: UBC Brand & Marketing
Health & Wellbeing Fall Preview
To support your personal and workplace wellbeing efforts this year, the Health Promotions team invites you to check out what’s coming this fall. We hope that these events and opportunities inspire you to champion wellbeing personally, within your teams, and beyond.
General Wellbeing
Dr. Thara Vayali will host her popular Stress & Resilience Series which explores the stress response, how to recognize stress levels, and ways to discover the connection between empathy and stress. Sign up for one session or register for the whole series.
- Part 1: Bouncing Forward
- Part 2: Empathy & Stress
- Part 3: The Stress inventory
Did you know that you can start UBC’s free 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge every week? New challenge start dates begin each Tuesday, making it easy to fit into your schedule.
We will still hold two group start dates for all faculty and staff (fall 2019 and spring 2020). This year, the fall group challenge will take place during Thrive (November 1-30). Consider signing up as an individual, or encourage your colleagues to take the challenge together!
Mental Health Literacy Training
Established by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health Training is an evidence-based training program designed to address and promote mental health and reduce stigma in a workplace setting. Spaces are limited, so register early.
Special Events
Save the date for Thrive: November 1-30
Thrive turns 10 this year! To celebrate this milestone and recognize how this initiative has helped faculty, staff and students to explore their path to mental health, UBC Thrive will be a month-long event in 2019. Sign up for the Healthy UBC newsletter to learn more.
Not Myself Today Campaign (NMT)
This innovative workplace mental health initiative returns for another year to help build greater awareness, reduce stigma, and foster safe and supportive cultures at UBC. NMT kicks off during Thrive, but can be integrated into your department, unit or faculty’s mental health initiatives at any time of the year. Visit the Not Myself Today page to learn how you can become a partner this year.
Information Updates
UBC Launches Wellbeing Strategic Framework
Guided by the vision and calls-to-action in the Okanagan Charter, the new Wellbeing Strategic Framework connects long-term, university-wide aspirations with actions that promote wellbeing in six priority areas:
- Collaborative Leadership
- Mental Health + Resilience
- Food + Nutrition
- Social Connection
- Built + Natural Environments
- Physical Activity
Photo: UBC Recreation, UBC Thrive