As part of GreenShield’s commitment to delivering an exceptional member experience, they will be modernizing their compound policy. This will be implemented in several phases, focusing on specific reimbursement conditions and compound categories. Phase 1 is projected to be implemented on September 3, 2024.
Biosimilar transitioning British Columbia
In May 2019, the British Columbia (B.C.) government implemented a biosimilar switching policy under its public prescription drug insurance plan. In December 2023, BC PharmaCare announced it would provide a six-month transitional period to allow those using Humalog (insulin lispro), used to treat diabetes, with an Omnipod, Ypsomed, Tandem, or Medtronic pump to transition to the biosimilar, Admelog by May 30, 2024. Health Canada has approved Admelog for use with these pumps, and it is a regular PharmaCare benefit. Patients with new approvals for insulin pumps are expected to use Admelog. Details can be found on the BC PharmaCare website.
In accordance with provincial coordination policies, GreenShield will expand their standard Biosimilar Transition Program in British Columbia to include Humalog for those using an Omnipod, Ypsomed, Tandem, or Medtronic pump. Unless an exception applies, the program will transition on July 22, 2024.
GSC have notified plan members that they must transition to Admelog by July 22, 2024. Plan members claiming Humalog and coordinating benefits with the BC PharmaCare Drug Plan will receive letters advising them of the upcoming transition. They also recommend consulting with their prescriber for transitioning support, including obtaining a new prescription for Admelog, if necessary. However, if BC PharmaCare grants an exception to allow a plan member to remain on Humalog, GreenShield will follow suit and pay for Humalog to enable continued coordination of claims.
Biosimilar transitioning Quebec
In April 2022, the Government of Quebec implemented a biosimilar switching policy under its public prescription drug insurance plan. On December 12, 2023, Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) announced as of December 13, 2023, the biologic Lucentis (ranibizumab), used to treat various eye conditions, will no longer be listed on the List of Medications and RAMQ patients being treated with Lucentis were required to transition to the biosimilar, Byooviz by May 22, 2024. Details can be found on the Infolettre RAMQ (available only in French).
GreenShield will also expand their standard Biosimilar Transition Program in Quebec to include Lucentis. Unless an exception applies, the transition date will be August 22, 2024.
GSC have notified plan members that they must transition to Byooviz by August 22, 2024. Plan members claiming Lucentis (including those coordinating with another drug plan) will receive letters advising them of the upcoming transition. They also recommend consulting with their prescriber or pharmacist for transitioning support, including obtaining a new prescription for Byooviz, if necessary.
Per RAMQ criteria, exemptions will apply to:
If you have any questions, please contact Benefits@united-church.ca
GreenShield has advised that their union represented employees have voted in favour of a new, 3-year collective agreement with Green Shield Canada.
The GreenShield contact centre will reopen on Monday, April 22, however, it is anticipated that call volumes may be higher than usual at this time.
GreenShield continues to encourage members to use the fully operational online services, including Web, mobile, providerConnect and all real-time submissions from pharmacies and dental offices. For support checking your coverage online, please visit their self-service page.
GreenShield’s self-serve phone system is available via the call centre number, 1-888-711-1119, to:
If you have any questions, please email the Benefits Centre at Benefits@united-church.ca
GreenShield's collective agreement with Unifor expired on Friday, March 1, leading to a strike. GreenShield has activated its contingency plan to ensure essential services continue during the strike.
GreenShield remains optimistic that a settlement can be reached through constructive and focused discussions.
Online services, including claim submissions, continue to be available and are not impacted by the Unifor strike, and there will be no interruption to the health and administrative services that GreenShield provides.
The GreenShield contact centre is closed during the strike, but you will still be able to use GreenShield’s online services or their self-serve phone system depending on your needs. Since 94% of claims are submitted online, online service claims continue to be processed; other online services that most members rely on also remain available with minimal disruption.
GreenShield’s self-serve phone system is available via the call centre number, 1-888-711-1119, to:
GreenShield encourages members to use the fully operational online services, including Web, mobile, providerConnect and all real-time submissions from pharmacies and dental offices.
If you have any questions, please email the Benefits Centre at Benefits@united-church.ca
These are early days for the federal plan, so stay tuned for any changes. We’ve just recently been advised that people who opted out of an employer’s retiree health and dental benefit plan before December 11, 2023, and cannot opt back in under the plan rules, are eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Anyone who chooses to opt out after this date will not be eligible.
The following is the eligibility criteria of the Canadian Dental Care Plan that was updated on March 4, 2024 on the Government of Canada website.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for the CDCP, you must:
You need to meet all the eligibility criteria to qualify for the CDCP.
If you have any questions about eligibility for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, please email benefits@united-church.ca or call the Benefits Centre at 1-855-647-8222.
With new biologics entering the market rapidly, the overall cost of biologic drugs continues to significantly impact the sustainability of drug plans, including ours. GreenShield’s evidence-based biosimilar strategy combines innovative programs and approaches to ensure the best value for treatment, while optimizing resources, supporting the uptake of biosimilars, and improving access to medications for all plan members.
The originator biologic, Humira (adalimumab), continues to be one of the world’s top-selling drugs for more than two decades, treating a range of inflammatory conditions. Currently, eight approved adalimumab biosimilars in the Canadian market have all demonstrated similar safety and efficacy profiles to the originator, Humira.
Effective January 15, 2024, the following biosimilar products will be split into two categories: preferred and non-preferred products, as outlined in the table below. This means, anyone starting adalimumab therapy, effective January 15, 2024, must use a Category 1 (preferred product) below.
The choice of preferred products was evaluated based on several criteria including the formulation and format of the product, the robustness of the manufacturer’s patient co-pay assistance program, the quality of the patient support program, and the manufacturer’s track record of drug shortages. All three preferred products demonstrated excellence in these areas and maintain the opportunity for plan member choice.
Category 1 (preferred products) Abrilada, Hyrimoz, and Hadlima
Category 2 (non-preferred products)* Amgevita, Hulio, Idacio, Simlandi, and Yuflyma
The preferential listing applies to all Health Canada approved indications including:**
If a member under this program chooses to transition to an adalimumab biosimilar, they must select a Category 1 (preferred product) unless an exception applies.*
* Products listed as Category 2 agents will be non-preferred products and will only be available to patients in exceptional circumstances (e.g., documented intolerance or adverse events to 2 preferred products).
** Preferential listing does not apply in Quebec and will only apply where GreenShield is the primary payor.
As we approach Pride Month, we want to emphasize our commitment to inclusivity and support for our LGBTQ+ employees and their loved ones. Our Employee Assistance Program offers a range of resources, including:
Please click here to learn more about our Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion Programs.
Download your resources here!
Download your resources here! (Zip file)
We are pleased to announce that the United Church of Canada (UCC) Pension Plan emerged as a top contender in the 2022 Pension Leadership Awards. The plan's Pension Fund Manager, Derek Hurst, was nominated for the Investment Officer of the Year award.
Although the UCC Pension Plan was a finalist in its category, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Pension Plan ultimately won the award.
This is not the first time the UCC Plan has been recognized for its outstanding achievements. At the 2021 Pension Leadership Awards, the plan was shortlisted for its investment practices under the Sustainable Investing Award category with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation.
The Investment Officer of the Year award is presented to an Investment Officer who has demonstrated leadership when it comes to pension investing and made demonstrable improvements to their organization’s investment process. Environmental, social and governance factors are also taken into account.
For more details, visit www.benefitscanada.com/microsite/microsite-cir/pension-leadership-awards-2022/winners-and-finalists/.
This reminder is a follow-up to notices shared late last year and earlier this year with community of faith treasurers and administrators, as well as ministry personnel, about changes to the regional cost of living group assignments. A copy of the letter shared with treasurers and administrators is in the Downloads section at the bottom of the Ministers’ Salary Schedule and Cost of Living Groups webpage.
These changes will be effective for the pay period beginning July 1, 2023, and apply to the balance of the year. You can find the revised cost of living group assignment data in the Downloads section as well.
If your regional COL group assignment has moved up, your ADP administrator will need to update the minister’s salary in TeamPay or inform ADP of the new salary amount for the pay period beginning July 1.
Salaries for ministry personnel serving in locations where the regional COL group assignment has been adjusted down will be maintained as per the terms of the appointment or call. This includes those whose appointments renew. This means that if the pastoral charge is in a lower cost of living group, the current minister’s salary may not be reduced. It will remain subject to the annual economic adjustment to minimum salaries or as defined in the terms of appointment or call.
There is no change to the COL group for 45 percent of communities of faith. Thirty-nine percent of communities of faith have stepped up one group. Sixteen percent have stepped down one group. These changes reflect regional differences in the costs of housing, property and provincial income taxes, utilities, and goods and services.
As a plan member, you can now submit your claims from your phone using the GSC everywhere app. The app gives you 24/7 access to your benefits and includes features such as
For more details, visit the Mobile App page on the GreenShield website.
GSC recently announced its new brand identity and the release of its integrated platform.
GSC will now be called GreenShield. As a member of our benefits plan, there should be no changes to your claims experience. All providers will recognize the new name, and your experience will remain the same.
GreenShield plans to release its integrated platform at the beginning of 2024. Details will be provided as they become available.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with the Benefits Centre at benefits@united-church.ca.