Apps to Help You Live Well on the Go
Access Your Group Benefits through the Sun Life App
The my Sun Life Mobile app is a convenient way for UBC plan members to connect to their group benefits through their mobile devices. The app offers instant access to all your health and vision care benefit information and allows you to submit your claims using your phone.
Why use an app when I can access Sun Life from my desktop?
Visit mysunlife.ca from your desktop computer, and you’ll find a full range of services, information and tools. You’ll also be able to update your contact and banking information.
The my Sun Life Mobile app offers more specific services, information and tools to help you when you’re on the go. You can:
- Submit and view your recent claims
- Review your coverage information: medical, vision, drug, health spending account, and disability
- Search for a healthcare provider near you
- Discover the latest deals, special offers and opportunities to save on your vision and/or medical equipment purchase
- Use the drug look-up tool to find out how much of your prescription drug costs are covered
- Access your coverage card, drug card and medical card. If you have an iPhone, you can even include these in your Apple Wallet.
That’s so convenient. How do I get the Sun Life app?
Visit my Sun Life Mobile app to download the appropriate version of the app for your device.
Support at Your Fingertips with the My EAP App
When you need health information or help, the My EAP app can give you immediate, confidential and secure access to your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP/EAP) – anytime and anywhere.
Morneau Shepell is UBC’s EFAP/EAP provider, and their award-winning My EAP app offers interactive support tools and expert information for work, health and life issues that can impact you and your family.
Here’s what you can do with the My EAP app:
- Book a service using the Online Access platform or First Chat, which allows you to connect with a counsellor for immediate support
- Access counselling services through First Chat or log in for E-Counselling, where you can exchange written messages with a counsellor in a secure online portal
- Discover Morneau Shepell’s library of expert health and wellbeing articles
- Watch informative videos, access assessment tools, and enrol in online programs on topics such as financial planning, smoking cessation, stress management and retirement planning
I like being able to access health and wellness supports while on the go. How do I get the My EAP app?
Visit Morneau Shepell’s My EAP Mobile Device Application page for more information and to download the free app. (Note: Please enter “University of British Columbia” as your organization to access the page.)
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Help Recognize and Prevent Benefits Fraud
Fraudulent benefit claims cost Canadians between one and six billion dollars every year, but did you know that benefits fraud can be committed by health or dental service providers, plan members or both?1
The life and health insurance industry has seen increasing evidence of service providers encouraging individuals to submit fraudulent claims, which is why they launched the Fraud=Fraud campaign in October 2018. The campaign aims to raise awareness of health and dental benefits fraud by helping Canadians to:
- Recognize benefits fraud
- Understand how to avoid becoming involved in fraudulent activities
- Realize that benefits fraud is a crime and therefore has real consequences
What are some examples of benefits fraud?
Learning how to recognize benefits fraud is a first step towards preventing it. Here are some examples of benefits fraud:
- Billing for services that never occurred
- Health or dental service providers falsifying medical conditions to provide an unnecessary treatment or service
- Health or dental service providers and plan members conspiring to increase the amount of a claim to ensure full coverage, so the plan member doesn’t have to pay the deductible
- Claiming services different from those provided
- Transferring unused benefits to others, such as using dependent’s unused benefits to cover another’s health or dental expenses
How could this affect your benefits?
- Coverage levels could be at risk because UBC is required to pay more for benefits coverage.
- Sun Life may find it necessary to disallow certain medical and dental service providers from claims processing and reimbursement in an effort to better protect the plan. These providers are placed on a Sun Life “delisted providers” list.
Take the time to review Sun Life’s list, so that you don’t unknowingly use a delisted provider, which would result in your claim being declined. This list is updated periodically.
To view the Sun Life delisted providers list:
- Log in to www.mysunlife.ca or use the Sun Life mobile app.
- Select “Coverage Information” and then the message for delisted providers found on the right-hand side of the screen. You will need to ensure you have pop-up blockers turned off.
How can I help prevent benefits fraud?
- Know your plan. Familiarize yourself with your benefits plan and any applicable limits/maximums.
- Understand the treatments, services and products provided to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Keep your benefits information confidential. Keep your drug card, certificate/member ID and plan/policy number in a safe place and don’t give it to anyone.
- Check your explanation of benefits and receipts. Make sure your receipts are correct and reflect the services you actually received. If your service provider submits claims electronically for you, cross-check your receipt/invoice with the explanation of benefits (EOB) provided by Sun Life to confirm both reflect the services you received.
- Never sign claims forms in advance. Don’t sign blank claims forms in advance of services being performed.
- Report suspicious activity. If you notice anything suspicious, contact Sun Life’s Fraud Hotline at 1-888-882-2221 or email clues@sunlife.com.
For more information:
Visit the following websites to learn more about the Fraud=Fraud campaign, as well as the insurance industry and Sun Life’s efforts to prevent benefits fraud:
References:
1 Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association – Healthcare Anti-Fraud
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
The Importance of Updating Your Personal and Beneficiary Information
Benefit Your Beneficiaries by Updating Your Personal Information
Changes in life and relationships can happen in the blink of an eye. With this in mind, it’s important to notify the university and update personal information such as your designated beneficiaries or address.
What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is the person, persons, or entity you name on a life insurance policy to receive the proceeds of the life insurance policy upon your death.
Naming a beneficiary ensures that they receive all of your life insurance benefit in the event of your death. Since this benefit is not part of your will, provincial probate fees and lawyer fees don’t apply, and creditors will not have an opportunity to get access to it.
What is an estate?
A person’s estate can include all of a person’s possessions, including their property, other assets, and debts at the time of their death.
If you don’t designate a beneficiary, your life insurance will be paid to your estate in the event of your death (or your spouse’s estate in the event of their death, if you hold Spousal Optional Life Insurance). Probate will occur, which is a lengthy and costly legal process of administering your estate.
Why do I need to update my beneficiary?
In the event of a claim, you want the benefit to be paid to the correct individual(s) or organization.
How do I check and update my life insurance beneficiary?
To view your current life insurance beneficiary:
- Log in to the Faculty & Staff Self-Service portal at msp.ubc.ca, using your Campus-Wide Login (CWL) and password. If you are off campus, you will need to connect using VPN.
- Click on “My Benefits”.
- Click on “Basic Life” or “Optional Life/AD&D” (if applicable).
- Your current beneficiary will be displayed. If you need to update this information, refer to the following instructions.
To update your life insurance beneficiary:
- Fill out the relevant form:
- Basic Life Beneficiary Change Form
- Employee Optional Life/AD&D Beneficiary Change Form
- Spouse Optional Life/AD&D Beneficiary Change Form
- Submit the original, completed form to your nearest UBC Payroll Office (see below) and keep a copy for your personal records.
It is also important to keep your beneficiary information up-to-date for your UBC pension benefits. In the event of your death, your designated beneficiary(ies) may receive a death benefit from the plan.
Under British Columbia pension legislation, your spouse must be named as your primary beneficiary unless they sign a survivor benefits waiver.
For more details about pension beneficiary designations, visit the Staff Pension Plan or Faculty Pension Plan.
If you have questions about pension beneficiaries, contact the Pension Office at 604-822-8100 or email spp@hr.ubc.ca for the Staff Pension Plan or fpp@hr.ubc.ca for the Faculty Pension Plan.
Why do I need to update my address?
This is to ensure that important correspondence is sent to the correct address.
To view and update your current address:
- Log in to the Faculty & Staff Self-Service portal at www.msp.ubc.ca, using your Campus-Wide Login (CWL) and password. If you are off campus, you will need to connect using VPN.
- Click on “My Personal Summary”.
- You will be able to edit and view your address.
- If you are enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) through UBC and need to update your address with Health Insurance BC, please fill out this form and submit it to the appropriate UBC Payroll Office:
Vancouver Campus
UBC Financial Operations
Attention: Payroll Services
5th Floor – TEF 3
6190 Agronomy Road
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z3
Okanagan Campus
Finance Operations & Strategies
Attention: Payroll
ADM006 – 1138 Alumni Ave
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Mental Health Clinical Services for Staff and Faculty at UBC
Did you know that UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan each have a psychology clinic that offers confidential services to adults in the community?
Services are provided by graduate students under the direct supervision of registered psychologists from the Department of Psychology’s faculty and the community. UBC faculty and staff can access these services and submit the cost through their Extended Health benefits for reimbursement from Sun Life.
Vancouver Campus
Services & Assessment
Most of the services offered through the UBC Vancouver Psychology Clinic services are in the form of individual therapy, however, group treatment may also be offered depending on the frequency of referrals for particular topics.
Assessment and treatment services are offered every weekday between September and April. Services are offered on a limited basis from May to August.
Psychological assessments are offered for adults to clarify a diagnosis, better understand your unique situation and recommend appropriate treatment or supports.
Treatment
The UBC Vancouver clinic offers psychotherapy to individuals with the aim of helping them cope more effectively, gain greater insight and achieve specific goals. Supported by the latest scientific research, the clinic offers high quality treatments that include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and short-term psychodynamic therapy.
For 2018-2019, the clinic is offering individual treatment for adults seeking help with:
- Anxiety disorders, including:
- Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias (e.g. fear of flying, fear of dogs)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression (excluding bipolar disorder)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Relationship and life transition difficulties
- Perfectionism
- Hoarding
They also offer group therapy for adults seeking help with:
- Hoarding
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (starts Spring 2019)
For more information
Visit the UBC Vancouver Psychology Clinic website or contact their office directly at 604-822-3005 or clinic@psych.ubc.ca.
Okanagan Campus
Services & Assessment
The UBC Okanagan Psychology Clinic provides affordable assessment and treatment for adults based on a sliding scale and by scheduled appointment only. At this time, the clinic provides the services outlined below.
Assessment services:
- Cognitive and personality/emotional assessment
- Learning disability assessment to clarify diagnosis
- Neuropsychological assessment for individuals who have experienced neurological events including stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, etc.
- Psychoeducational assessment
Treatment services (individual or group psychotherapy for adults with various psychological problems or concerns including but not limited to):
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Healthy weight management
- Substance use disorders
- Adjustment disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Walk-in Clinic
In addition to the regular assessment and treatment services listed above that require a scheduled appointment, the clinic offers a Walk-In Clinic that runs every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Individuals are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis by a senior doctoral level student or registered psychologist. The Walk-In Clinic provides an intake assessment, brief solution-focused therapy, and as appropriate, recommendations or referrals for ongoing care.
For more information
Visit the UBC Okanagan Psychology Clinic website or contact their office directly at 250-807-8241 or ipc.ok@ubc.ca.
Submitting Claims Through Extended Health
As these services are provided by graduate students under the supervision of psychologists who have either a PhD or R.Psych and are licensed and registered by the College of Psychologists of BC, they are eligible for reimbursement under your Extended Health plan.
When submitting a claim for these services, you will need to input the name and credentials of the supervising registered psychologist. Visit our Making a Claim page for more details.
Other Supports at UBC
Emergency Counselling Services
If you are experiencing an emergency or crisis that requires immediate counselling services, and you’re enrolled in the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), call Morneau Shepell at 1-800-387-4765 and select the emergency option to speak to a crisis counsellor. If you want to arrange an in-person counselling session during this call, an appointment will be guaranteed within 24 hours.
For more information about EFAP, read this article on What to Expect when Calling EFAP.
Social Work Mental Health Clinic
Located within the Interprofessional Clinic at UBC Okanagan, the Social Work Mental Health Clinic specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and youth with moderate to severe mental health concerns (e.g. anxiety, depression, bipolar, suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviours, psychosomatic difficulties). The child and youth services are offered for no fee and are not limited to a specific number of sessions. The clinic utilizes evidence-based clinical assessments and interventions. They take a collaborative, family-oriented approach and allocate multiple clinicians to work with each family for strong, team-based support.
Services include:
- Weekly one-hour individual meetings with the child or youth
- Weekly one-hour meetings with at least one parent or primary caregiver to gather information about the child, to provide psychoeducation and emotional support, and to assist with case management, as needed
- Comprehensive support through ongoing collaboration with the child or youth’s school and/or any other involved professionals
- Periodic conferences with the clinical team and family to set goals and monitor change
Visit the Social Work Mental Health Clinic for more information or contact the clinic at 250-807-8241 (Ext. 1) or clinic.ok@ubc.ca.
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Online Assessments Optimize Your Time for Optimal Health
When life gets busy, our health and wellbeing take a backseat to competing priorities. Thankfully, technology can make it convenient for us to check-in and check-up on our health.
Do you want to learn more about healthy heart options? Looking for a quick self-assessment to gauge your mental health? Interested in becoming more informed about your financial health? UBC’s Virtual Health Fair & Online Assessment tools are for you.
All UBC faculty and staff have access to over 20 screenings and a variety of tools and resources to help you assess your current status and take steps towards a healthier self. Explore self-assessments for heart health, physical activity, stress, mental health, cancer, kidney health and more. The results can be great conversation starters with your family doctor.
Interested in learning more about your health?
Attend an upcoming health and wellbeing workshop or event at the Vancouver campus and/or Okanagan campus.
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Life is Challenging. Finding Support Doesn’t Need to Be
When faced with life’s challenges, UBC employees and their dependents have access to many supports. In this issue of Benefits FYI, you’ll find three different scenarios. We highlight the dilemma at hand, as well as the supports available to help you navigate those situations and find solutions, or at least make them more manageable. You may be currently facing a similar situation or maybe you aren’t, but you’ll have the knowledge you need to reach out for support.
Rico’s Challenge: When you need to support your mental wellbeing – at work and at home
Rico would like to learn more about work-life integration. He’s feeling overwhelmed and often finds himself worrying about work, even when he’s at home trying to focus on caring for his family. He feels anxious and worries it’s putting a strain on his personal and professional relationships.
How EFAP and UBC’s Extended Health plan can help:
UBC’s Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider, Morneau Shepell, offers confidential counselling and consultative services to help you and your dependents find solutions to any challenges, including anxiety, work-life integration and relationships. Their experienced professionals are available 24/7: in-person at various locations across BC, over the phone in multiple languages, via video, or through First Chat.
To book services or to learn which service is right for you, call the Shepell Care Access Centre at 1-800-387-4765 or visit www.worklifehealth.com. (Note: Please enter “University of British Columbia” as your organization.) Whether you’ve used Morneau Shepell before or are using them for the first time, know what to expect when you access EFAP services.
Through UBC’s Extended Health Plan, you can access counselling services from a licensed psychologist, registered social worker or registered clinical counsellor and be 100% reimbursed up to a maximum of $2,500 for each person enrolled per benefit year. For more details, refer to your UBC Employee Group.
How HR resources can help:
UBC Human Resources offers a range of programs and resources to help individuals improve their mental health and resiliency and support UBC workplaces that want to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of its staff and faculty. Visit our Mental Health page for more information.
Katie’s Challenge: The emotional toll of caring for an ill family member
Katie’s father has been living with her for the past two years. He’s physically capable of caring for himself, but is financially dependent on Katie and her partner. Recently, he was diagnosed with gout and is having difficulty coming to terms with the diagnosis and the diet changes his doctor advised him to follow. Katie would like some advice for herself as a caregiver and also for her father to support him through this diagnosis.
How EFAP can help:
EFAP is available for eligible staff, faculty, retired employees, and their dependents. Dependents include spouses and children, as well as parents that are financially dependent on the employee. Because Katie already enrolled her father in EFAP, they can both access Morneau Shepell’s support services.
For Katie’s father, a counsellor can help him cope with health changes. He can also receive nutrition advice and health-related consultations from naturopathic doctors, registered dietitians and nurses over the phone. As a caregiver, Katie can support her own emotional wellbeing through counselling. Confidential email or e-counselling for psychological support is available, which Katie might find useful since she enjoys writing and journaling.
Did you know you can add your parents to your EFAP coverage as long as they live with you and are financially dependent on you? To add an eligible parent to your EFAP coverage, complete this form and send it to the appropriate UBC Payroll Office for processing:
| Vancouver Campus Financial Operations Attention: Payroll Services TEF3 – 5th Floor, 6190 Agronomy Road Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z3 |
Okanagan Campus Finance Operations & Strategies Attention: Payroll ADM006 – 1138 Alumni Ave Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7 |
Bruce’s Challenge: When gambling isn’t fun anymore
Bruce has always enjoyed a night out at the casino with friends. A few months ago, after comments from a family member regarding the amount of time he spent gambling, he switched to online poker instead. He also recently had to sell his car to be able to pay his rent. Bruce is feeling increasingly self-conscious about his gambling and has begun to question whether or not his habits are cause for concern. He would like to talk to a counsellor about his situation and also needs help figuring out his finances.
How EFAP can help:
EFAP has many addictions-related articles including this one on understanding gambling addiction. EFAP provides confidential short-term, in-person counselling that can help Bruce talk about his concerns and determine if he has a gambling addiction. An EFAP counsellor could help him develop coping strategies and practical tools for abstaining from addictive behaviour, with the goal of maintaining abstinence over time. Bruce can also access First Chat, a confidential chat platform that provides online support any time of day.
Bruce can also access financial consultations over the phone to help with budgeting and debt reduction. If the situation requires specialized care or long-term counselling, Bruce could be referred to a counsellor within the community and be covered through UBC’s Extended Health Plan.
For a list of additional resources at UBC and within your community including help lines, support groups, and harm reduction and treatment options, visit the Substance Use and Addiction Support Resources page.
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Understanding Your Travel Benefits Info Session: Dec. 4
The holiday season is typically one of the busiest travel times of the year. If you’re planning to take a trip outside BC or Canada, remember to review your travel coverage before you leave. Knowing the facts about your existing travel insurance – what is and isn’t covered – can help you make an informed decision on whether you might need additional coverage.
You can also register to attend a free, upcoming information session to understand your travel benefits through UBC’s Extended Health plan. It’s a great opportunity to get answers to your questions, such as:
- Should I purchase additional travel insurance?
- What is my UBC coverage while travelling?
- What is the maximum amount I can claim?
- Am I covered by other plans?
- What if I am pregnant or have a pre-existing medical condition?
- What are the exclusions and limitations?
Understanding Your Travel Benefits Information Session:
Vancouver Campus | Register now
Date: Dec. 4, 2018
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Room 1002 (map)
Cost: Free but registration required
Okanagan Campus (videoconference) | Register here
For more information:
Visit the Benefits While Travelling website for more information about your travel benefits, including:
- Being Prepared Before, During and After Your Trip
- Benefits Coverage While Travelling for Leisure or Work
- Emergency Medical Coverage
- Travel-related FAQs
You can also access the following previous issues of Benefits FYI, where we answer many of your travel benefits questions:
- Navigating Travel Benefits: Answers to Your Top 5 Questions (Apr. 2018)
- Should I Purchase Additional Travel Insurance? (May 2017)
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Mind Your Wellbeing: 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge
Studies show that our minds are wandering 46.5% of the time.1 With all the digital distractions around us, it’s not surprising that there’s greater focus on mindfulness practices. A tremendous amount of research over the past 20 years has demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness for physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you are new to mindfulness, practicing already, or part of a department or unit looking for a team-building activity, everyone can benefit from this simple practice.
At UBC, you have the opportunity to explore mindfulness and enhance your wellbeing with the 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge.
About the 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge
Available to all UBC staff, faculty and postdoctoral fellows at all campus locations, the 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge is a free, innovative and evidence-based program that encourages employees to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace and in their everyday lives. Content is delivered via any online or mobile device and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives.
Click to view or download for distribution
You can expect:
- 10 minutes per day of mindfulness training for 30 days
- Expert-led and evidence-based programming
- Online platform that can be used anywhere
- Free to join and includes participation of a buddy or colleague of your choice
- Open to all UBC staff and faculty (Vancouver and Okanagan campuses)
What previous participants say:
“Mindfulness practice helps reset my mind and have a clear perspective when I become unfocused or feel overwhelmed in the workplace.”
“Taking the Challenge with a colleague was really helpful…having another person who understood the immediate benefits of practicing mindfulness… it kept us accountable.”
“The Take 5 mindfulness practice has become a regular part of how we begin team meetings. [It’s] helped us be more present, better listeners, engaged and resilient.”
Register now:
All UBC staff and faculty in Vancouver and the Okanagan can participate in the 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge by:
- Registering for the Challenge orientation webinar: Oct. 17 from 12:00-12:30 p.m.
- Taking a look at the orientation video of the online dashboard.
- Creating your profile on the online hub using this UBC Vancouver and Okanagan staff and faculty link.
- Choosing to register between two dates: Oct. 29 – Nov. 27, 2018 or Apr. 15 – May 10, 2019.
Learn more about mindfulness at UBC:
- Benefits of mindfulness
- Mindfulness Challenge wellbeing story featuring UBC Sauder’s DAE unit
- Additional mindfulness and meditation opportunities at UBC
References:
1 Killingsworth MA, Gilbert DT. A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind. Science 12 November 2010: Vol. 330. no. 6006, p. 932
Photo: Melissa Lafrance
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Thrive 2018: Explore Your Path to Mental Health
Building and maintaining our mental health is a year-round pursuit, and Thrive is one of many mental health initiatives at UBC. This year, Thrive takes place from Oct. 29 – Nov. 2.
As part of Thrive 2018, UBC departments, units and faculties are invited to participate in Not Myself Today (NMT), a workplace initiative that aims to build greater awareness, understanding and support for mental health. By registering as a NMT partner, you will receive access to toolkits and resources that you can use to inspire positive mental health in your workplace. There are a limited number of toolkits available, so submit your NMT toolkit request by Sept. 26, 2018.
Looking for other ways to explore your path to mental health? Here are some additional resources to consider:
Photo: UBC Thrive
Do you have questions? Contact the Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team at benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.
Movember – A Focus on Men’s Health Issues
November (or “Movember”) has arrived and with its arrival, a focus on men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives. Many factors conspire against men in terms of their health and clinical outcomes such as smoking and drinking more than women and not seeking medical attention as often as women. Movember aims to open a dialogue in order to bring more awareness increasing the the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.
On Nov. 1, men register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of November, those participating will grow mustaches and seek sponsorship of their mustache growing efforts to raise funds for research into men-related health issues. Visit the Movember website for more information.