Extended Health and Dental Benefits Coverage Added for LPNs

July 21, 2016

With ratification of the 2014-2019 Provincial Collective Agreement (PCA), LPN extended health and dental benefit levels were increased to match those provided for RNs/RPNs under the current PCA.

All benefit changes for LPNs are effective for services or products purchased on or after May 11, 2016.

The following benefits are some of changes already made to LPN benefits.

Extended Health Care Benefits

Deductible

The benefit plan deductible for LPNs has been decreased from $100 to $25 per calendar year. The reduced deductible is applied based on the date of service, not the date the claim is submitted.

Products or services purchased from May 11, 2016 onwards are subject to a $25 deductible, if that amount was not met prior to May 11, 2016.

Extended health care products or services purchased between January 1 and May 10, 2016 are subject to the previous plan deductible of $100, regardless of when the claim is submitted to Pacific Blue Cross.

For clarity, LPNs are not subject to a $100 deductible between January 1 and May 11 and a further $25 deductible after May 11. The most that may be paid by a member towards their 2016 deductible is $100.

Clinical Psychology and Counselling

Coverage for clinical psychologists and clinical counsellors has been added for all LPNs, up to $900 annually.

Massage Therapy

The annual maximum for massage therapy has been removed for LPNs previously under the Community Bargaining Association Collective Agreement (unlimited coverage continues for all other nurses).

Podiatry

Reimbursement for a podiatrist has been increased to $400 annually.

Dental

Basic Exams

Basic recall exam coverage has been increased to every 6 months for LPNs who were previously under the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) Collective Agreement.

Dual Coverage Restriction

Previously, LPNs were not entitled to enroll in their dental plan if they were already enrolled in a comparable plan. That restriction has now been removed.

LPNs are to be enrolled in their employer dental plan, unless they are primary member of another dental plan. To confirm that you have been enrolled by your employer, follow up with your human resources department. If you have not been enrolled, contact your steward to file a grievance.

For More Information

For more information on plan changes, please contact Pacific Blue Cross at 1-888-737-5696.

For drug-specific inquiries, you will be redirected to the Pacific Blue Cross Pharmacy Services team. Pharmacy Services can also be reached by emailing pharmacyservices@pac.bluecross.ca.

If PBC is unable to address your concerns or if you would like further clarification, please contact the BC Nurses' Union at extendedbenefits@bcnu.org.