Re: Dental Plan 2002

The following are details that I received from the Alliance regarding the Dental Plan. Please share this Bulletin with your members.

The Union Representatives on the PSAC Dental Board entered into negotiations with the employer to improve the Dental Plan early in 2002.

The Union had a number of proposals; the priority demands are listed below:

1. Increase the coverage to 90% for all items presently covered at 50%.

2. Remove the cap on the yearly limit.

3. Institute a procedure whereby the current fee guide will be used, and automatically update the Plan if and when the fee guide increases.

4. Develop a procedure to ensure that Alberta members (who have no fee guide) are fairly reimbursed.

As a result of a number of meetings, the Union was successful in realizing demand #4; members in Alberta will be reimbursed at a higher level than they have been in the past, in spite of the fact that the province has abolished the Dental Fee Guide altogether.

We were also successful in gaining improvements with regard to demand #2. While the cap on the yearly limit has not been removed entirely, it has been raised to $1400 per year from $1300.

Unfortunately, we were not able to break the 50% standard reimbursement for major restorative dental work (i.e.: crowns, caps etc) nor were we able to attain reimbursement at the current fee guide level. These issues will be brought back to the table in early 2004 when we negotiate again.

In Solidarity,

Betty Bannon

National President, UTE