David Agosti

Your extended health benefits cover things like prescription drugs, dental, physiotherapy, mental health tools and other health care services that are not covered by what Medical Services Plan of BC or other provincial health plans cover.

Key Players in your Extended Health Plan

Pacific Blue Cross is the APSA members' provider of extended health benefits. They develop the plan packages for different employee groups. You can find out more about the specific coverage for temporary members and for continuing members. For CUPE to APSA temporary positions, we have been informed that current practice is to keep your CUPE extended health benefits and sick leave.

SFU controls and administers what is covered by the plan. The SFU HR team works with Pacific Blue Cross to choose the plans for employee groups and change any extended health benefits. 

Plan administration includes:

  • Maintaining employee records.
  • Enrolling and terminating the plans.
  • Distributing the plan handbook.
  • Storing documentation.
  • Paying the provider and guiding members on questions about the current benefit plan.

If you need additional support due to specific circumstances, such as purchasing more epi-pens than permitted by the plan or specific health issues, you would speak to the appropriate HR department.

How is APSA involved in your extended health benefits?

While APSA will speak with you about your extended health plan, we do not provide, administer or direct your plan. APSA can only advocate for changes to these benefits during negotiations. Negotiations occur every three to five years once our Basic Agreement requires renewal. For APSA, the end of our current agreement is on June 30, 2022. 

We'll be sending our bargaining survey in the coming months and will need your input on areas of your extended health care plan that fall short.