Article 16: Medical, Extended Health and Dental Plan, Long-Term Disability and Group Life
16.01
The Hospital agrees to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly premium for basic medical coverage for Residents and their dependants under a plan approved by the Medical Services Commission of B.C., or pay the equivalent of the cost of the B.C. Medical Services Plan premiums to private health insurers on behalf of those Residents who are working on employment visas at teaching Hospitals covered by this Agreement.
16.02
Membership in the plan is a condition of continuing appointment for Residents who are not members or dependants of members of another approved medical plan.
16.03
A dependant is a spouse (including common-law), child, adopted child, or legal ward, who is so classified for income tax purposes. If the plan agrees, the Resident may pay the full premium for non-dependants through payroll deduction.
16.04
The Hospital shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly premium for extended health benefit coverage for Residents and their dependants under the existing Pacific Blue Cross plan or any other plan providing equivalent coverage. The plan benefits shall include:
i) The maximum lifetime amount payable per eligible Resident or eligible dependant shall be unlimited; and,
ii) The allowance for vision care will be $225.00 every twenty-four (24) months per eligible Resident or eligible dependant; and,
iii) The allowance for hearing aids will be $600.00 every forty-eight (48) months per eligible Resident or eligible dependant.
iv) The Extended Health Direct Pay Card similar to “Bluenet”.
v) “A Medical Referral Transportation Benefit” comparable to standard plans that provide coverage for out-of-town travel for an employee or dependent who is referred to a specialist or is referred for medical treatment.
vi) Eliminate Pharmacare “tie-in” on prescription drugs, maintain exclusion of lifestyle drugs, add reference to low-cost alternatives and referenced-based priced drugs.
16.05
The hospital shall pay all the monthly premiums for a dental plan. Coverage will be:
i) One hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the basic existing plan “A”;
II) Sixty percent (60%) of the cost of the extended plan “B” and;
III) Sixty percent (60%) of the cost of the extended plan “C” (Orthodontic Plan) subject to a lifetime maximum payment of $2,750.00 per eligible Resident or eligible dependant with no run-offs for claims after termination of employment.
An employee is eligible for orthodontic services under plan “C” after twelve (12) months’ participation in the plan.
The dental plan will cover Residents and their eligible dependants under the Pacific Blue Cross plan, or any other plan providing equivalent coverage.
16.06
The Dental Plan shall cover Residents, their spouses (including common law) and children who are eligible and acceptable to the plan, provided they are not enrolled in another comparable plan.
16.07
The Hospital shall pay all of the monthly premiums for the existing long-term disability insurance plan for Residents which provides two-thirds salary continuance until age 65 in the event of disability.
The Plan will be improved/modified as set out in the Health Services and Support Facilities Subsector 2001-2004 Collective Agreement.
16.08
Regular full-time and regular part-time Residents shall, upon completion of three (3) months’ employment, become members of a Group Life Insurance Plan.
The plan shall provide basic life insurance in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). The cost of the plan shall be borne by the Hospital.
16.09
A common-law spouse includes a person living with an employee as a spousal partner for a period of not less than one (1) year.
16.10
Upon termination of employment, all health and welfare benefits (except MSP) to which a Resident is entitled shall terminate.
16.11
Coverage under the above Plans becomes effective from the first day of the calendar month following the date of enrolment.
