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The UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits (RSB) Extended Health Care Plan provides coverage for some medical services and supplies that are not covered under your provincial medical plan (in BC, this is the Medical Services Plan, MSP). To enrol in The UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits (RSB) Extended Health Care Plan provides coverage for some medical services and supplies that are not covered under your provincial medical plan (in BC, this is the Medical Services Plan, MSP). To enrol in the Extended Health Care Plan, you must have coverage under MSP.
To check if you’re eligible, click here.
Important note: This is only a brief overview of the plan. For complete details, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Booklet (pdf).
In general, the Extended Health Care plan covers you for physician-recommended medically necessary services and supplies, and will pay reasonable and customary charges for these services.
New members must enroll in Plan 3. Plans 1 and 2 are grandfathered for members enrolled before Nov. 1, 2003.
Plan 1 (No longer open to new members. Grandfathered for members enrolled in the RSB Program prior to Nov. 1, 2003)
Lifetime Maximum: $15,000 per employee or dependent
Deductible: $50 each benefit year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) for each person up to a maximum of $50 per family
Plan 2 (No longer open to new members. Grandfathered for members enrolled in the RSB Program prior to Nov. 1, 2003)
Lifetime Maximum: $50,000 per employee or dependent
Deductible: $100 each benefit year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) for each person up to a maximum of $100 per family
Plan 3 (The only plan available for new members)
Lifetime Maximum: $100,000 per person
Deductible: $1,000 each benefit year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) for each person up to a maximum of $1,000 per family
After your deductible has been satisfied for the benefit year, you will be reimbursed at the following levels up to your lifetime maximum:
| Prescription Drugs | 80%* |
| In-Province Hospital | 80%* |
| Medical Services & Equipment | 80%* |
| Paramedical Services | 80%* |
| Emergency Travel Assistance (Medi-Passport) | 100%* |
*Coverage is 80% until $1,000 is reimbursed per person per benefit year (for prescription drugs, in-province hospital, medical services and equipment and paramedical services combined). Thereafter, eligible expenses are paid at 100% for the remainder of the benefit year.
Have you Confirmed your Fair PharmaCare registration?
What the Plan Covers
The plan covers eligible prescription drugs, as long as they are prescribed by a physician or dentist and are obtained from a pharmacist. A three-month supply of eligible drugs may be filled at a time.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The plan will not cover all drugs or medicines, even when they are prescribed. It is important that you review the specific coverage in the Sun Life Benefits Handbook.
Some examples of what is not covered include the cost of giving injections, treatments for weight loss if not medically necessary, hair growth stimulants, oral contraceptives, or products to help you quit smoking.
What the Plan Covers
The plan will cover costs of outpatient services in a hospital and the cost difference between a room on a general hospital ward and a semi-private or private hospital room is covered under the Plan.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
Hospital outpatient fees and user fees are not covered by the plan, nor are costs associated with public ward accommodation or rest cures.
What the Plan Covers
The plan covers a wide variety of medical services and equipment, when ordered by a doctor (the services of a dentist does not require a doctor’s order).
All of these services require pre-authorization from Sun Life if the cost is in excess of $5,000, and some of these services and equipment require preauthorization from Sun Life, no matter the cost.
Some of the services and equipment covered in this category include: private duty nursing care in hospital if medically necessary, transportation in a licensed ambulance or air ambulance, accidental dental services, equipment recommended for therapeutic use, blood transfusions and dialysis machines. .
What the Plan Does Not Cover
There are some items that are not covered under the plan, even when a doctor prescribes them. Some of these are: experimental treatments, personal comfort items, services and supplies for cosmetic purposes, or the services of a licensed practical nurse.
What the Plan Covers
The services of some paramedical practitioners are covered under the plan, with maximum annual costs specified for each discipline.
The practitioners covered under the plan are: licensed psychologist, when ordered by a doctor; licensed speech therapist, acupuncturist, podiatrist or chiropodist; licensed physiotherapist or massage therapist when ordered by a doctor; licensed naturopath or chiropractor.
Licensed psychologists and massage therapists require doctor’s referral every 12 months.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The following are not covered under the Plan: the services of religious or spiritual healers; occupational therapy; psychologist testing; services of a kinotherapist, reflexologist, sexologist, sex therapist and shiatsu specialist.
What the Plan Covers
The RSB Plan will cover emergency medical services obtained within 365 days of the date you leave your home province. (An emergency is an acute, unexpected condition that requires immediate assistance.)
If you or a dependent are hospitalized during this period, in-patient services are covered for 90 days. This 90-day limit will be extended if transporting the patient back to Canada would be a risk to their life.
Some of the costs covered in this section of the plan includes: a semi-private hospital room; other hospital services provided outside of Canada; out-patient services in a hospital; the services of a doctor; Emergency Travel Assistance Referral Service (Medi-Passport).
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The plan will not cover emergency medical services after 365 days have passed since you left your home province, or continuous or routine medical services for pre-existing conditions.
There are a number of other conditions that would exclude your medical costs from being covered by the RSB Plan. For complete details, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook
There are a number of other conditions that would exclude your medical costs from being covered by the RSB Plan. For complete details, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook
A medical emergency away from home can be overwhelming. The benefit offered by your Medi-Passport can help you with a wide range of issues and expenses connected to the emergency, and can assist you to find the help you need.
If you are faced with a medical emergency when traveling outside of your home province, your Medi-Passport benefit can help. Medi-Passport supplements the emergency portion of your Extended Health Care coverage, and is subject to any maximum applicable to the emergency portion of the Extended Health Care coverage. Medi-Passport coverage is provided through Europ Assistance.
You are covered for Medi-Passport if you are enrolled in the Extended Health plan.
You and your dependents are covered for Medi-Passport services obtained within 365 days of the date you leave your home province.
IMPORTANT – We recommend that you carry your Medi-Passport card with you when you travel. It contains telephone numbers and the information needed to confirm your coverage and receive assistance. If you do not have a Medi-Passport card and would like to obtain one, please contact Amy Kao at (604) 822.4580 or amy.kao@ubc.ca. You may also print one from the UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits Website and the Sun Life Plan Member Website (Access ID and password required for the Sun Life Plan Member Website).
If possible, contact a Europ Assistance Coordination Centre for approval before any services are provided. If you can’t contact them before services are provided, please contact them as soon as possible afterwards. Access to a fully staffed coordination centre is available 24 hours a day, through the telephone numbers on the Medi-Passport card.
Some of the services offered to RSB members by Europ Assistance include:
On the Spot Medical Assistance
Europ Assistance may arrange for on the spot medical assistance by providing referrals to physicians, pharmacists and medical facilities. If necessary, they will also guarantee or advance payment of the expenses incurred to the provider of the medical service, provide translation services to communicate with local medical personnel, and transmit an urgent message from you back home.
Transportation Home or to a Different Medical Facility
Should it be medically necessary for you to be moved to another hospital or be sent home, Europ Assistance physicians will coordinate how and where you should be moved, and what medical equipment, supplies and personnel are needed. And if necessary, they’ll arrange advance payment.
Beyond strictly medical assistance, your Medi-Passport coverage can help you with costs you may incur should your trip be disrupted by a medical emergency. Some of these benefits include: meals and accommodation expenses, travel expenses home if you’re stranded, travel expenses for family members should they need to accompany you or your traveling companion home, repatriation of your remains should you die away from home, return of your vehicle, and assistance with lost luggage or documents.
For a full explanation of these benefits, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook.
Reimbursement of Expenses
If, you pay for services or supplies that were eligible for advances after you’ve confirmed with Europ Assistance that you are covered and a medical emergency exists, Sun Life will reimburse you. To be reimbursed, you must provide Sun Life with proof of the expenses within 30 days of returning to your home province. Your employer can provide you with the appropriate claim form.
Your Responsibility for Advances
If you have been advanced funds to cover services that are beyond the usual scope of the Medi-Passport coverage, you must reimburse Sun Life for these costs. This may include: any amounts that will be covered under your provincial medical plan, any amount that exceeds the maximum amount of your coverage, amounts paid for services that are not covered by this plan, and any amounts which would normally be your responsibility for payment, such as deductibles.the Extended Health Care Plan, you must have coverage under MSP.
To check if you’re eligible, click here.
Important note: This is only a brief overview of the plan. For complete details, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook (pdf).
In general, the Extended Health Care plan covers you for physician-recommended medically necessary services and supplies, and will pay reasonable and customary charges for these services.
New members must enroll in Plan 3. Plans 1 and 2 are grandfathered for members enrolled before Nov. 1, 2003.
Plan 1 (For members enrolled in the RSB Program prior to Nov. 1, 2003)
Lifetime Maximum: $15,000 per employee or dependent
Deductible: $50 each benefit year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) for each person up to a maximum of $50 per family
Plan 2 (For members enrolled in the RSB Program prior to Nov. 1, 2003)
Lifetime Maximum: $50,000 per employee or dependent
Deductible: $100 each benefit year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) for each person up to a maximum of $100 per family
Plan 3 (For members enrolling in the RSB Program after Nov. 1, 2003)
Lifetime Maximum: $100,000 per person
Deductible: $1,000 each benefit year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) for each person up to a maximum of $1,000 per family
After your deductible has been satisfied for the benefit year, you will be reimbursed at the following levels up to your lifetime maximum:
| Prescription Drugs | 80%* |
| In-Province Hospital | 80%* |
| Medical Services & Equipment | 80%* |
| Paramedical Services | 80%* |
| Emergency Travel Assistance (Medi-Passport) | 100%* |
*Coverage is 80% until $1,000 is reimbursed per person per benefit year (for prescription drugs, in-province hospital, medical services and equipment and paramedical services combined). Thereafter, eligible expenses are paid at 100% for the remainder of the benefit year.
Have you Confirmed your Fair PharmaCare registration?
What the Plan Covers
The plan covers eligible prescription drugs, as long as they are prescribed by a physician or dentist and are obtained from a pharmacist. A three-month supply of eligible drugs may be filled at a time.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The plan will not cover all drugs or medicines, even when they are prescribed. It is important that you review the specific coverage in the Sun Life Benefits Handbook.
Some examples of what is not covered include the cost of giving injections, treatments for weight loss if not medically necessary, hair growth stimulants, oral contraceptives, or products to help you quit smoking.
What the Plan Covers
The plan will cover costs of outpatient services in a hospital and the cost difference between a room on a general hospital ward and a semi-private or private hospital room is covered under the Plan.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
Hospital outpatient fees and user fees are not covered by the plan, nor are costs associated with public ward accommodation or rest cures.
What the Plan Covers
The plan covers a wide variety of medical services and equipment, when ordered by a doctor (the services of a dentist does not require a doctor’s order).
All of these services require pre-authorization from Sun Life if the cost is in excess of $5,000, and some of these services and equipment require preauthorization from Sun Life, no matter the cost.
Some of the services and equipment covered in this category include: private duty nursing care in hospital if medically necessary, transportation in a licensed ambulance or air ambulance, accidental dental services, equipment recommended for therapeutic use, blood transfusions and dialysis machines. .
What the Plan Does Not Cover
There are some items that are not covered under the plan, even when a doctor prescribes them. Some of these are: experimental treatments, personal comfort items, services and supplies for cosmetic purposes, or the services of a licensed practical nurse.
What the Plan Covers
The services of some paramedical practitioners are covered under the plan, with maximum annual costs specified for each discipline.
The practitioners covered under the plan are: licensed psychologist, when ordered by a doctor; licensed speech therapist, acupuncturist, podiatrist or chiropodist; licensed physiotherapist or massage therapist when ordered by a doctor; licensed naturopath or chiropractor.
Licensed psychologists and massage therapists require doctor’s referral every 12 months.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The following are not covered under the Plan: the services of religious or spiritual healers; occupational therapy; psychologist testing; services of a kinotherapist, reflexologist, sexologist, sex therapist and shiatsu specialist.
What the Plan Covers
The RSB Plan will cover emergency medical services obtained within 365 days of the date you leave your home province. (An emergency is an acute, unexpected condition that requires immediate assistance.)
If you or a dependent are hospitalized during this period, in-patient services are covered for 90 days. This 90-day limit will be extended if transporting the patient back to Canada would be a risk to their life.
Some of the costs covered in this section of the plan includes: a semi-private hospital room; other hospital services provided outside of Canada; out-patient services in a hospital; the services of a doctor; Emergency Travel Assistance Referral Service (Medi-Passport).
For more information on Individual Travel Insurance, please click here.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The plan will not cover emergency medical services after 365 days have passed since you left your home province, or continuous or routine medical services for pre-existing conditions.
There are a number of other conditions that would exclude your medical costs from being covered by the RSB Plan. For complete details, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook
There are a number of other conditions that would exclude your medical costs from being covered by the RSB Plan. For complete details, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook
A medical emergency away from home can be overwhelming. The benefit offered by your Medi-Passport can help you with a wide range of issues and expenses connected to the emergency, and can assist you to find the help you need.
If you are faced with a medical emergency when traveling outside of your home province, your Medi-Passport benefit can help. Medi-Passport supplements the emergency portion of your Extended Health Care coverage, and is subject to any maximum applicable to the emergency portion of the Extended Health Care coverage. Medi-Passport coverage is provided through Europ Assistance.
You are covered for Medi-Passport if you are enrolled in the Extended Health plan.
You and your dependents are covered for Medi-Passport services obtained within 365 days of the date you leave your home province.
IMPORTANT – We recommend that you carry your Medi-Passport card with you when you travel. It contains telephone numbers and the information needed to confirm your coverage and receive assistance. If you do not have a Medi-Passport card and would like to obtain one, please contact Amy Kao at (604) 822.4580 or amy.kao@ubc.ca. You may also print one from the UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits Website and the Sun Life Plan Member Website (Access ID and password required for the Sun Life Plan Member Website).
If possible, contact a Europ Assistance Coordination Centre for approval before any services are provided. If you can’t contact them before services are provided, please contact them as soon as possible afterwards. Access to a fully staffed coordination centre is available 24 hours a day, through the telephone numbers on the Medi-Passport card.
Some of the services offered to RSB members by Europ Assistance include:
On the Spot Medical Assistance
Europ Assistance may arrange for on the spot medical assistance by providing referrals to physicians, pharmacists and medical facilities. If necessary, they will also guarantee or advance payment of the expenses incurred to the provider of the medical service, provide translation services to communicate with local medical personnel, and transmit an urgent message from you back home.
Transportation Home or to a Different Medical Facility
Should it be medically necessary for you to be moved to another hospital or be sent home, Europ Assistance physicians will coordinate how and where you should be moved, and what medical equipment, supplies and personnel are needed. And if necessary, they’ll arrange advance payment.
Beyond strictly medical assistance, your Medi-Passport coverage can help you with costs you may incur should your trip be disrupted by a medical emergency. Some of these benefits include: meals and accommodation expenses, travel expenses home if you’re stranded, travel expenses for family members should they need to accompany you or your traveling companion home, repatriation of your remains should you die away from home, return of your vehicle, and assistance with lost luggage or documents.
For a full explanation of these benefits, refer to the Sun Life Benefits Handbook.
Reimbursement of Expenses
If, you pay for services or supplies that were eligible for advances after you’ve confirmed with Europ Assistance that you are covered and a medical emergency exists, Sun Life will reimburse you. To be reimbursed, you must provide Sun Life with proof of the expenses within 30 days of returning to your home province. Your employer can provide you with the appropriate claim form.
Your Responsibility for Advances
If you have been advanced funds to cover services that are beyond the usual scope of the Medi-Passport coverage, you must reimburse Sun Life for these costs. This may include: any amounts that will be covered under your provincial medical plan, any amount that exceeds the maximum amount of your coverage, amounts paid for services that are not covered by this plan, and any amounts which would normally be your responsibility for payment, such as deductibles.
Visit the Sun Life Member Website or call Sun Life at 1.800.661.7334 or 1.800.361.6212.
