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
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.