The increased vision care benefit negotiated for YG members in the recently ratified contract is not yet in effect. The union’s team reached consensus with the employer’s team on an increase to the benefit, HOWEVER it cannot come into effect unless and until it is authorized by the Yukon Government’s Minister of Finance.
LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING “X”
CHANGES TO THE INSURED BENEFITS PLAN
The parties recognize that the employee group insurance benefits plan (the “plan”) design is governed by a contract which covers all Government of Yukon employee groups under specified terms and conditions and that the process for recommending any changes to the plan is governed by the Joint Management Committee (JMC) pursuant to the Public Service Group Insurance Benefit Plan Act.
The parties recognize that any proposed changes to the plan made pursuant to the JMC process will be in the form of recommendations, subject to the authority and final decision of the Minister of Finance.
- The parties agree that a recommendation be made to the JMC to raise the vision care maximum to $300 every two years, effective date of renewal.
What does that mean?
The approval will be sought by the JMC at the October 2016 meeting, and a decision returned by the Minister of Finance.
This is the first time we have sought such a change under provider Great West Life, we can tell you that changes can only occur to the plan at the yearly renewal date. That means no change will take place until April 2017. It is still tentative; although these recommendations from the JMC have never been denied in the past, it will not be official or in force until it is signed off by the Minister.
What should you do?
If you need new glasses & reimbursement now, submit your receipt in the normal way for repayment of the previously authorized amount, $200. If you can wait for reimbursement, you can also choose to hold off submitting receipts until after the change takes effect in April of 2017.
YEU will update you once we have more information to share.
