CLICK HERE for a summary of the Standard Plan improvements or at bcschools.cupe.ca.
In addition to improvements to the Standard Plan, all dental plans will be updated to provide a minimum level of coverage as outlined here.
If your current dental plan provides a lower coverage level, the increase will be effective July 1, 2023. If your current dental plan provides a higher coverage level, there will be no change to coverage.
As the benefit improvements will happen within the calendar year, it is important to note that any eligible expenses incurred before July 1, 2023, will be adjudicated by Pacific Blue Cross based on current plan provisions. Any eligible expenses incurred on or after July 1, 2023, will be adjudicated based on the maximums outlined in the improvement summary.
For example, the current Psychologist maximum is $850 per calendar year. If a member has already been reimbursed $850 for this service, any further Psychologist services incurred on or after July 1, 2023, would be eligible up to an additional $650 for the remainder of the year (as the calendar maximum for this service will be increasing to $1,500 per person per calendar year).
In addition, on or after July 1, 2023, the $1,500 benefit will represent a combined maximum for Psychologist, Clinical Counsellors, and Social Workers. Please note, any expenses over $850 that were incurred prior to July 1, 2023, are not eligible to be reimbursed with the additional $650, nor can you claim for any expense incurred prior to July 1, 2023, for Clinical Counsellors or Social Workers.
These benefit improvements were made possible by the support and solidarity of our K-12 school support members throughout bargaining. Working together, we were able to make real gains for members and their families.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your Local President.
View PDF here.