Health, both physical and mental, is the foundation of wellbeing. That is why UBC invests in a broad range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of faculty and staff (and their eligible dependents).
In this two-part series, we share exciting changes to the UBC benefits plans in 2024 and look back on the changes from 2023.
Let's look forward and see what we can expect in 2024.
Benefit plan changes for 2024
We're excited to share some significant updates to the UBC benefit plans, effective January 1, 2024. These enhancements are designed to continue to support your health and wellbeing.
Extended Health Benefit Changes
Increased coverage for massage and physiotherapy: Effective January 1, 2024, all eligible UBC faculty, staff, and their dependents enrolled in the UBC extended health plans will have a higher combined annual maximum of $1,000 for massage therapy and physiotherapy services (note: reimbursement is based on reasonable and customary charges). This is an increase from the previous annual maximum limits of $750 and $500 depending on employee group.
Separate coverage for eye exams: Effective January 1, 2024, eye exams will be covered separately from other vision care benefits, with a limit of $130 over a 24-month period. This is in addition to the vision care maximum and is available for both you and your covered dependents.
Note: If you've submitted a claim for eye exams in the 24 months before January 1, 2024, you can still claim the remaining balance, and it won't affect your vision care maximum from 2024 onwards. If you haven't submitted any eye exam claims in the previous 24 months, you can claim up to $130 within a 24-month period.
Introducing the Personal Spending Account (PSA)
Following recent collective bargaining, CUPE 2950 and Management & Professional employee groups will have access to a new Personal Spending Account effective January 1, 2024. This account can be used for a variety of health and wellness services and supports not covered under a Health Spending Account (HSA).
More details will be provided in an upcoming memo, and you can find additional information on the UBC HR website's Personal Spending Account section.
Health Spending Account increases
Effective January 1, 2024, we're increasing the Health Spending Accounts (HSA) amounts for several employee groups as a result of recent collective bargaining:
Faculty Association: Health spending account increased from $200 to $400
Management & Professional: Health spending account increased from $200 to $400
CUPE 2950: Health Spending account increased from $250 to $375
Please note that HSA amounts for IUOE 115, BCGEU Vancouver (Child Care), BCGEU Okanagan, and CUPE 116 will remain unchanged.
For more information on the HSA and how to make a claim, please refer to our Make the most of your HSA story.
Important Note on PSA and HSA Claims Submission
Sun Life will start processing claims for the new PSA and the increased HSA amounts from January 8, 2024. You can incur expenses from January 1, 2024, but please submit your claims after January 8, 2024. This ensures all necessary information is provided to Sun Life for processing these new and updated spending accounts.
What changed in 2023?
If you are keen to see the changes to our UBC benefit plans in 2023, review Looking back on the new benefits for 2023.
Posted in Articles
Tagged
- HR
- Benefits FYI
- HR Network News
- Healthy UBC