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What happens to my spouse’s/partner’s coverage should we separate or divorce?
A legal spouse is allowed to be on the RSB Program even if you are separated, but not after the divorce is final. A common-law spouse cannot remain on the RSB Program if they are no longer living with the plan member.
How do I know if I have UBC benefits as an employee?
First, check your UBC pay statement, and look for extended health and/or dental coverage. If you’re still unclear, you can contact the payroll representative for your department.
How does coordinating coverage work?
With coordinating coverage, you combine your benefits insurance (extended health and/or dental) with your spouse’s or partner’s, to add up to a maximum coverage of 100%. For example, if the UBC plan covers 80% of prescription drugs, and your partner’s plan covers 80%, you can claim the 80% from UBC, and then claim the unpaid portion of the prescription cost from the other plan.
How long does coverage continue for surviving dependents of UBC employees who pass away?
The surviving dependents of a UBC employee who passes away at any age and was covered by UBC benefits are eligible for coverage under the RSB plan. Their coverage will continue until they no longer meet the definition of a dependent under the plan, or until they voluntarily leave the plan.
As a UBC retiree, if my spouse dies and I re-marry, can my new spouse be added to my benefits?
Yes, you can add your new spouse to your coverage.
As a survivor of a UBC retiree, if I re-marry, can my new spouse be added to my benefits?
No, your new spouse cannot be added to your benefits, and since your remarriage means that you no longer meet the definition of a dependent under the plan, you will also have to give up the plan at the time of your marriage.
Are UBC, TRIUMF and Paymaster employees covered under the same RSB plan?
No, all employees who are leaving TRIUMF and want medical/dental retirement benefits must enroll in the TRIUMF retirement plan. Paymaster employees who are leaving UBC is not eligible for the UBC RSB program. Staff and faculty leaving UBC and who want medical/dental retirement benefits must enroll in the UBC RSB Program.
What if I did not sign up for the RSB Program upon my retirement from the University?
You must join the Retirement and Survivor Benefits (RSB) Program within 31 days of leaving employment at UBC and/or the end of coverage under UBC benefit plans if you are a surviving dependent. For more information, refer to our eligibility section.
If you elect not to enroll in the RSB Program at the time you leave UBC or UBC benefits coverage ends as a surviving dependent or if you defer enrolment in RSB because you are covered by a spouse’s or partner’s plan, you do not have the option of joining at a later date.
I have MSP coverage with my spouse, do I need to sign up again?
No, if you already have MSP coverage (a CareCard), you don’t need to sign up again to take advantage of UBC’s Retirement and Survivor Benefits Program.
You can contact MSP directly, or if you prefer, the RSB can enroll you, as an extra service for our members. You can reach the Medical Services Plan in Vancouver and Lower Mainland – 604.683.7151 or elsewhere in BC – 1.800.663.7100.
Can my spouse or partner enroll in a benefit like extended health or dental if I don’t want to join that part of the plan?
No, the primary person, that is, the retired UBC member, must be enrolled in a particular benefit for the spouse to be able to also enroll in it
I am over 55 and leaving UBC to work somewhere else. Can I still enroll in the RSB?
The same rules apply as when you are leaving UBC to enjoy retirement. That is, you can still enroll in the RSB plan, as long as you meet all of the eligibility requirements. However, you must enroll within 31 days of leaving your employment at UBC.
I’m going to be traveling outside of Canada for a while right after I retire. What happens to my retirement benefits?
Whether you’re taking off for a period of travel or staying close to home, you must still enroll in the RSB at the time that you leave employment at UBC or within 31 days of the end of your coverage if you are a surviving dependent under the RSB plan. While traveling, the RSB will offer you some coverage, but the coverage is limited when you are outside the province. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Medi-Passport before leaving home.
Both out-of-country and Medi-Passport coverage will only cover services obtained within 365 days of the date you leave the province where you live. If hospitalization occurs within this period, in-patient services are covered for 90 days except where transportation would endanger the life of the patient, in which case the 90 day limit will be extended.
I currently have double coverage, under my UBC plan and my spouse’s/partner’s plan. I’ll be leaving UBC and will continue to be covered under the other plan. What are my options?
You must enroll in the UBC RSB plan within 31 days of your coverage under the UBC plan ending. You will not have the option of joining the UBC RSB plan at a later date.
You may enroll now and continue having double coverage. Since you will now be paying your own premiums on the retirement plan, consider the level of coverage for each plan and how much you foresee claiming on the plan to determine if this second option is the right one for you.
After I leave my employment at UBC, when is Day One of my retirement & survivor benefits?
Your last working day determines the last day of your active benefits, and your retirement benefits must begin immediately after your active benefits expire.
Why is there a different date for beginning my Retirement and Survivor benefits depending on my leaving date?
In the benefits program for active staff and faculty, premium payments for extended health, dental, Employee and Family Assistance and MSP coverage are deducted from the end of month paycheque to cover the following month’s benefits. So if your leave date is before this deduction, your active coverage will end earlier than if your leave date is after the 15th of the month, and the deductions have already been made.
No, vision care such as glasses, frames, contact lenses, etc. are not available under the RSB Extended Health Plan.
No, foot orthotics are not available under the RSB Extended Health Plan.
The Sun Life booklet does not tell me whether or not this particular extended health/dental expense will be covered. Where can I get this information?
For information that doesn’t appear in the Sun Life booklet, you can contact the Sun Life Customer Care Centre directly at 1.800.661.7334 or 1.800.361.6212, or by email through their members website at www.sunlife.ca/member.
Can I change extended health plans?
No. There is only one extended health plan available for RSB members who joined after November 1, 2003. For members who joined before November 1, 2003, they were given a one-time choice in October 2003 as to whether they wished to move to the new plan or stay in their existing one. (The differences among the plans are the lifetime maximums allowed, deductibles and premium rates.)
How do I make changes to my retirement benefits?
If you wish to make changes to your retirement benefits, please contact Amy Kao at 604.822.4580 or amy.kao@ubc.ca
Will I receive a Sun Life Extended Health/Dental card once I enroll in the RSB Extended Health and/or Dental coverage?
No, you will not receive a Sun Life Extended Health/Dental card.
Do I still use my Pay-Direct Drug Card after I retire and join the RSB Program?
You will not be able to use your Pay-Direct Drug Card after you retire and join the RSB program. However, your coverage will still include the prescription drugs. You will need to fill in the Extended Health Care Claim Form, submit original receipts, and mail it to Sun Life to process the claim.
I know that the Extended Health plan reimburses based on the generic equivalent of a brand name drug, however I experience adverse reactions to the generic brand. In what circumstances will the brand name be covered?
If you experience adverse reactions to the generic drug you may be reimbursed based on the brand name drug. Your prescription should indicate “No substitutions” and your Pharmacist must enter this onto the system in order for you to be reimbursed accordingly.
Is there a deductible for the Dental Care Plan?
No.
I am going to have extensive dental work done. How much will the Dental Plan cover and how much will I be required to pay?
Your dentist should submit a pre-determination to Sun Life prior to having the dental work done in order to assess how much will be covered by the plan and how much is your responsibility. For further information on pre-determinations, please refer to Claims.
Where do I get the extended health claim forms from and where do I send them when they are completed?
You can obtain them from a number of sources:
After completing and submitting it to Sun Life (address on the back of the form, Edmonton Office) along with the original receipts, be sure to take a copy of your completed claim form and receipts prior to sending them to Sun Life. Claims typically take about five business days to process once they have been received by Sun Life. The status of the claim may be checked by calling Sun Life at 1-800-661-7334 or via the Sun Life member’s website if you have a Sun Life Access ID and password.
What is the UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits Contract/Plan/Group No. for Sun Life?
The UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits Contract/Plan/Group Number for Sun Life is 20605. The contract number may also be referred to as a Group or Policy Number.
What is my Access ID and Password and why do I need it?
Your Access ID and PIN are used to access services on the Sun Life Plan Member Services’ web page. The Plan Member Services’ page allows you to:
I have forgotten my Access ID and Password to long onto the Sun Life website. What do I do?
If you have forgotten your Access ID, please contact the Sun Life Customer Care Centre at 1-800-661-7334.
If you have forgotten your password, go to the Sun Life member site website, and click on “Forgot your password?”. Enter your Access ID and you will be walked through the steps in order to reset your password.
After cancelling my RSB Extended Health and Dental coverage how long do I have to submit any claims that I have incurred before my cancellation date?
You have up to 90 to submit any claims that have incurred before your cancellation date.
If the Medical Services Plan does not cover a medical procedure will this automatically be covered by the UBC RSB Extended Health Plan?
No. While MSP will cover most medically necessary procedures, it may not cover everything. Click here for more information on procedures covered by MSP or contact MSP directly.
Am I required to submit a doctor’s note for paramedical practitioners?
You must submit a doctor’s note along with your claim for massage therapy and psychological services only. A doctor’s note is required every 12 months.
What information do I need to provide my dental office with in order to be reimbursed under the Dental Care Plan?
You will need to provide the Group Policy (Contract) Number 20605 and your Member ID (Certificate) Number, which is your 7-digit UBC Employee ID. Your UBC Employee ID can be found on your former pay statements.
The Dental Fee Guide is a guide published by the Dental Association for General Practitioners and differs based on province. Each province assigns a specific benefit amount for a given procedure based on a “reasonable and customary” basis or fee commonly charged for the performance of the procedure by eligible dental care practitioners within the province.
What is MSP Premium Assistance and what should I do if I think that I qualify?
MSP Premium Assistance is a provincial government program that reduces MSP premium rates for residents of BC who are eligible. Eligibility depends on the adjusted net annual income of $30,000 or less based on the previous year’s net income. For full information on this program, please contact Amy Kao at 604.822.4580 or visit the MSP website.
Do I still pay Medical Services Plan premiums after age 65?
Yes, MSP premiums are based on your previous year’s income. If below $30,000, you may be eligible for premium assistance. Please see the question above for more information on Premium Assistance.
Will I receive another Medical Services Plan CareCard when I enroll in UBC RSB MSP?
Unless you have a name change or have lost your card or were not already enrolled in MSP, a new CareCard will not be issued by MSP.
I lost my MSP CareCard. How do I get a replacement one?
Click here for information on receiving a replacement card.
What is PharmaCare and why do I need to enroll in it?
PharmaCare uses an income-indexed system to subsidize eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies. For more information on PharmaCare, click here.
Signing up for Fair PharmaCare ensures that your annual drug costs do not exceed the annual deductible you need to pay first before the drug costs are covered by MSP.
By registering, you ensure that Fair PharmaCare, and not your extended health coverage, pays for drug costs after your income-based deductible level has been reached.
You only need to sign up for Fair PharmaCare once. Click here to register.
I have an adult dependent child who is still under 25 years old, but not attending school. Can they still be covered under my plan – Extended Health, Dental, Employee & Family Assistance and Medical Services Plan (MSP)?
No, adult children cannot remain on the plan after 19 years of age if they are not attending school, unless they are disabled. An adult child who is disabled can remain listed indefinitely as a dependent on your Extended Health, Dental and EFAP coverage. This is not true of the provincial MSP program – this program assumes that a disabled adult child, if they are not attending school, would likely be eligible for Premium Assistance or social assistance.
What happens when I reach my Extended Health Lifetime Maximum?
Once you are notified by Sun Life that you have reached your extended health lifetime maximum, please call Amy Kao, Retirement and Survivor Benefits Program administrator, or by email at amy.kao@ubc.ca to terminate your premium payments. If you have dependents, you can determine whether you will continue coverage for them or not at the same rate. For more information, please refer to the July 2007 newsletter.
What happens to my spouse’s coverage when I die?
If a RSB member passes away, the surviving spouse and children already listed as dependents are eligible to continue their coverage. The coverage will continue until the dependent child no longer meets the definition of a dependent on the plan, the surviving spouse re-marries (or new common-law partner) or until the end of the period for which premiums have been paid for the coverage.
Will I receive a tax receipt for my Extended Health Plan and Dental Plan premiums?
Yes, a tax receipt for the Extended Health Plan and Dental Plan premiums paid is sent out to RSB members in February.
If you terminate your Extended Health Plan and Dental Plan in the middle of the year, a tax receipt of premiums paid up to the termination date will be mailed out to you.
Will I receive a tax receipt for my Medical Services Plan premiums?
No, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums are not included on your tax receipt because MSP is a publicly funded plan through the provincial government. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), premiums paid to private health services may be claimed on your income tax. Please consult with your tax advisor to see if there are any exceptions to claiming MSP premiums under the CRA guidelines.
Visit the Sun Life Member Website or call Sun Life at 1.800.661.7334 or 1.800.361.6212.
