Please share this with your staff and faculty

The following benefit premium rates for UBC employees will be changing effective Jan. 1, 2013:

• Medical Services Plan (MSP)
• Employee and Spousal Optional Life
• Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2950 Staff
• Disability Benefit Plan for BCGEU Okanagan Staff Enrolled in the “Other” Subgroup
• Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2278 and Faculty Association Staff Enrolled in the M&P Subgroup
• Extended Health and Dental Care for Sessional Faculty Under 50% Time

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

Premium rates for the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) are increasing, effective Jan. 1, 2013. UBC Employees who pay their MSP premiums through payroll deduction will see the increased cost on their Dec. 31, 2012 paycheque.

The new premiums will increase by $2.50 per month for individuals, $4.50 per month for couples and $5.00 per month for families. The new rates are:

• Single: $66.50
• Couple (family of two): $120.50
• Family (family of three or more): $133.00

The UBC employer and employee cost-sharing percentages for calculating MSP premium deductions will remain unchanged. For example, employees who pay 75% of the MSP monthly premium will continue to pay 75% of the new premium rate. Please note that MSP deductions are taken one month in advance, so employees who pay the full or partial cost will see the increased deduction on their Dec. 31, 2012, paycheques.

For a detailed list of the adjusted monthly rates by employee group and premium cost-sharing arrangement, please visit the UBC Human Resources Benefits Premium Rates page.

Employee and Spousal Optional Life

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the UBC Employee and Spousal Optional Life premium rates will decrease by approximately 10%. Employees who are enrolled for Optional Life will the lower premium on their Dec. 31, 2012, paycheque (premiums are taken one month in advance). For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.

Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2950 Staff

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Disability Benefit Plan premium rate for CUPE 2950 staff will increase to 2.30% of monthly earnings. For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.

Disability Benefit Plan for BCGEU Okanagan Staff Enrolled in the “Other” Subgroup

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Disability Benefit Plan premium rate for BCGEU Okanagan Staff will decrease to 0.867% of monthly earnings. For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.

Disability Benefit Plan for CUPE 2278 and Faculty Association Staff Enrolled in the “M&P” Subgroup

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Disability Benefit Plan premium rate for CUPE 2278 Staff and Faculty Association Staff will decrease to 1.346% of monthly earnings. For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to employees affected by the change.

Extended Health and Dental Care for Sessional Faculty With Appointments Under 50% Time

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the Extended Health and Dental Care premium rate for Sessional Faculty Under 50% will increase by 3% for Dental Care (no change to the rate for Extended Health). For more information, please review the UBC Human Resources Memo that was sent to Sessional Faculty affected by the change.

If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact benefitsinfo@hr.ubc.ca.