March 17, 2009
Public Service Health Care Plan Update
As indicated in previous updates, the renegotiated Public Service Health Care Plan (which was renegotiated between Treasury Board, NJC Bargaining Agents and the Federal Superannuates National Association under the auspices of the National Joint Council) came into effect April 1, 2006. The new Plan contained improvements including the implementation of a pay direct drug card. The contract with the Administrator (Sun Life) was extended as the negotiated changes to the Plan needed to be included in a new contract.
The implementation of the drug card is a key part of the process of retendering the contract for the administration of the Plan. The PSHCP is the largest employer-sponsored health care plan in Canada and the process to implement a card in a plan which covers over 1.2 million people is multifaceted and the scope unprecedented. As a result, the process has taken longer than originally anticipated. The evaluation of the contract bids began March 9, 2009. The first task of the Administrator will be to set up the positive enrolment process needed to issue the drug card.
The drug card will be welcomed by Plan members for its convenience and to limit being out of pocket while waiting for claim reimbursement. Until the card is implemented, Plan members can arrange for the ‘assignment of benefits' option to assist those Plan members who face financial hardship while waiting for reimbursement due to their high prescription drug costs. The assignment of benefits is the practice whereby with the Plan member's written consent, a provider (pharmacy) submits the claims directly to the Plan on behalf of the member. This agreement is between the Plan member and the provider but it should be noted that this option will end as soon as the card is implemented.
The union leadership knows that members are frustrated with the delay in the card implementation and will continue to provide more information about its status as it becomes available.
Date Modified : 2010/01/29
