Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan

The Association of Canadian Financial Officers, in conjunction with the other federal public service bargaining agents, have reached an agreement with Treasury Board that would see changes to the  Public Service Health Care Plan, which were announced in the federal budget, phased in over several years.

We believe this represents the best deal possible given the threat of legislated changes to the plan hanging over all involved.

Changes to the Plan

• Deductibles for all PSHCP members (active and retired) will be removed as of January 1, 2015. The $100 per family or $60 for a single member will no longer be paid.
• Three new benefits to begin as of October 1, 2014:
  • Laser eye surgery to be included under the plan with a lifetime cap of $1,000
  • Repairs and replacement parts for CPAP (sleep apnea) machines to be covered up to $300 per year
  • Increase the psychological services cap to $2,000 from $1,000
• Current and future pensioners will move to paying 50% of PSHCP premiums. This will be phased in over four years, starting on April 1, 2015.
• Current retirees with incomes that make them eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (approximately $16,728 for a single person and $22,080 for a couple) will continue to pay only 25% of the premiums.
  • Retirees who are younger than 65 will have these same income thresholds apply to them
• 6 year service requirement to access retiree benefits. This will apply to current employees with the following exceptions:
  • All current retirees and deferred annuitants
  • Veterans’ Affairs Client Group as described in the plan
  • Medical retirees, permanently disabled retirees
  • Spouses and dependents of employees who die with less than 6 years’ service
  • Members with more than 2 years’ service who are separated as a result of the Workforce Adjustment Appendix (WFAA)

• Letter of Understanding committing to ongoing negotiations of the PSHCP with a written commitment from the Employer not to bring any negative changes to the table before March 2019.