Archive for category: HR Bulletin

Volume 2022.22 Benefit Changes Q&A for Menno Home HEU Members

Menno Home employees have recently certified with the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) under the Facilities Agreement.  As a result, employees who are now members of HEU will be covered for benefits provided by the Joint Facilities Benefits Trust (JFBT).

Effective November 1, 2022, your new benefits provider will be the Joint Facilities Benefits Trust (JFBT).  Acting as third-party administrator on behalf of the JFBT is the Healthcare Benefit Trust (HBT).  HBT will administer benefits on behalf of the Joint Trust.  

JFBTs partners – Pacific Blue Cross and Canada Life

For Extended Health and Dental Claims, JFBT partners with Pacific Blue Cross (PBC).  PBC is a contracted service provider who provides the following services:

• Extended Health and Dental claims adjudication
• Extended Health and Dental claims payment
• Enrollment and billing services

For Life and Long Term Disability Claims, JFBT partners with Canada Life (CL).  CL is a contracted service provider who provides:

• Claims adjudication
• Disability Management (LTD)
• Early Referral Services (LTD)
• Rehabilitation Services (LTD)
• Claims payment

Please see below for important information regarding this transition.

Employee Benefits

Will my benefits coverage change? 

Your Group Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Long Term Disability (LTD), Dental and Extended Health Care (EHC) benefits will be in accordance with the current plan design in effect for all members of the JFBT on November 1, 2022.  

To learn more about the Joint Facilities Benefits Trust, please visit their website: www.jfbt.ca. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the effective date of coverage?

A1. Coverage under the JFBT plan will take effect on November 1, 2022 if you are actively at work on that date.  This includes if you are on regularly scheduled day off, vacation, maternity/parental leave, paid leave or unpaid leave other than for sickness.

Q2. Do I need to fill out new forms?

A2. You will be required to complete a new enrolment form and a new appointment of beneficiary form.

Q3. How do I know I have been enrolled for coverage?

A3. You will receive a Member ID card from Pacific Blue Cross that confirms your Dental and Extended Health coverage. It will contain your new policy number and your new Benefits Identification (BID) number. The card will be mailed to your home address.  Your card will also be available online to download effective November 1, 2022. Enrolment for Group Life, Dependent Life, AD&D and LTD coverage is done by the Human Resource Department.

Q4. Will I need to provide a new policy/plan number to my healthcare providers?

A4. Yes, you will need to update your information with your dentist, pharmacist, and any paramedical practitioners who offer direct billing.  Please provide them with the information available on your PBC Member ID card. 

Q5. What is the deadline to submit Dental and Extended Health claims to Manulife?

A5. Dental and Extended Health claims with a purchase or service date up to October 31, 2022 must be submitted by November 30, 2022. So that you do not miss the deadline, we encourage you to submit your claims to Manulife as soon as possible and online if you can. 

Q6. When do I submit Dental and Extended Health claims to Pacific Blue Cross?

A6. You can submit dental and extended health claims to Pacific Blue Cross for purchase or service dates starting November 1, 2022.

Q7. Will I get a new benefits booklet?

A7. You may access your Benefits Booklet and Benefits-at-a-Glance Summary through JFBT’s website (www.jfbt.ca).

Q8. Do I need to re-satisfy my annual deductible?

A8.  Effective January 1, 2022 under the JFBT plan the deductible was eliminated so you are no longer required to pay a deductible moving forward. 

Q9.  What are reasonable and customary limits?

A9.  Reasonable and customary (R&C) is the term used to describe the dollar amount a benefits plan covers for a given product or service. PBC applies R&C limits (like all carriers) to ensure the plan pays for services that are medically necessary for health care and maintenance.  PBC establishes and applies R&C pricing to ensure the plan is paying the reasonable and customary pricing for a service given the circumstances (e.g. severity and nature of medical condition). 

Fees charged by health providers can vary a great deal, for the same product or service, in the same region. For those health care professional groups that do not have a fee guide, PBC uses an approach common in the industry which includes reviewing trends, pricing in the geographical area, actuarial reports, and association data which includes suggested pricing. The suggested pricing established by the colleges/associations serve as a guideline and are taken into consideration, along with all other data points noted above. PBC’s R&C limits may differ from other carriers within each paramedical category but overall, their limits are comparable across the industry. 

R&C pricing is a standard used throughout the insurance industry to help manage the rising cost of benefits. They play an important role to help ensure a sustainable benefits plan and they also help reduce the likelihood of benefits fraud or abuse.

Q10.  What if I have an ongoing dental treatment plan?

A10. If you have an ongoing treatment plan where a pre-authorization was approved by Manulife, advise your dentist to submit a copy of the Manulife approval or re-submit a new pre-authorization to Pacific Blue Cross.

Q11. Does Pacific Blue Cross have online access for Dental and Extended Health claims and coverage information?

A11. Attached is information to help familiarize you with Pacific Blue Cross. Member features include:

• Member Profile – log in to manage your coverage, submit claims, view claim status and history, download Member ID card or claim forms, sign up for Member Communication from PBC

• Mobile App – sign in using fingerprint touch ID to submit claims, check coverage balance, find Insta-Claim Providers for direct billing
• Preferred Pharmacy Network – Pacific Blue Cross has partnered with leading pharmacy retailers to offer guaranteed low prices and dispensing fees
• Pharmacy Compass – lookup tool to compare pill prices and dispensing fees at pharmacies in BC

Q12.  Can I still use my favourite pharmacy if it is not in the Preferred Pharmacy Network?

A12.  Yes, you can still use your favourite pharmacy.

Q13. Who can I contact for more information?

A13. If you have any questions about your benefit coverage, you may address it to your employer or to JFBT (contact@jfbt.ca).   

 

Thank you,

Jeanette Lee

Director, Human Resources

Menno Hospital – HEU Members

Article 16.01 Application Renewals

FACILITIES SUBSECTOR COLLECTIVE AGREEEMENT

It’s time to update your 16.01 applications.  Many are no longer relevant and require updating.   Under the Facilities Subsector Collective Agreement a part time or full time team members may indicate to the Employer that they wish to relieve in another position should work of less than ninety (90) calendar days arise.

In your 1st Choice Vacation Package you received a new 16.01 Application form.  Please complete this form with your preferences, if you are interested in continuing in a 16.01.

All previous forms will be discontinued on November 1, 2022 so please submit your new form to the Staffing Office prior to this date.

Thank you,

Jeanette Lee

Director, Human Resources

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) Beneficiary Forms Required

Human Resources is currently working on transferring Menno Home HEU members Extended Benefits Package from Manulife to Pacific Blue Cross as per the HEU Agreement.

The goal is to have the effective date of the new benefits November 1, 2022.

The new program requires all eligible, regular full-time and part-time team members to complete a Beneficiary Form.  You can find this form in the Staff Lunch/Break rooms and online at:  https://www.hbt.ca/News-and-Resources/Pages/AllFormsGuidesManuals.aspx

Go to the link and scroll down to Appointment/Change of Beneficiary Forms (close to bottom of page).  Choose 2^nd;  Appointment/Change of Beneficiary for Group Life and AD&D.

On the form leave the Benefits Identification Number blank, and under Name of Employee Group and Class Code write:  HEU/FACIL Class Code:  001

Beneficiary Type definitions located at bottom of online form or 2^nd page of hard copy.

It is very important these forms are completed and submitted to HR right away.  Failure to submit by the effective date will mean you do not have the Life Insurance Benefit as of November 1, 2022.

To ensure you are covered by November 1, 2022, please submit the completed Beneficiary form to Human Resources by October 7, 2022.

Sincerely,

Jeanette Lee

Director, Human Resources

Onboarding of New Facial Recognition Scanner and GoldCare Employee Portal

HR is pleased to offer 2 new services to our Menno Team Members:  The Facial Recognition Scanner (to replace the hand scanner) and the GoldCare Employee Portal.

The Facial Recognition scanner will eliminate the need to touch the time clock and therefore discourage the threat of infection.

The GoldCare Employee Portal will allow each team member online access to their monthly schedule, Personal Information and be the place to submit your leave requests.

The first phase of set up will start with Menno Hospital on October 4, 6, 9.  There will be a sign-up sheet located at the Menno Hospital W1 scanner where you can book a time.  At the set up you will receive your GoldCare User ID, Password and be set up on the Facial Scanner.  You will be given a Basic User training tool on how to use the Employee Portal and an online video will walk you through the steps.

You can come during your shift, so ensure you let your supervisor know you will be leaving the unit for approximately 10 minutes.  Sign up by September 30, 2022.

Menno Home and Apartments will be set up at a later date to be determined.

Sincerely,

Jeanette Lee

Director, Human Resources