Fwd: benefits

[Santa Aloi <aloi@sfu.ca>]

Title: Fwd: benefits

Dear Colleagues,

I am forwarding the message because so far I haven't heard back from the executive and I think it raises issues of general concern.  I believe that the poor extended health benefits for "para-medical" treatment (Physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage, podiatry etc) and Dentistry, should be renegotiated or at least compared to the providers and benefits available to UBC retirees.  I realize that the Faculty Association negotiates with the administration, but we should provide some spirited input.

Santa Aloi

Professor Emerita

> Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:27:48 -0700
> To: retirees-executive@sfu.ca
> From: Santa Aloi <aloi@sfu.ca>
> Subject: benefits
> Cc: Ingrid, Michael
> Bcc:
> X-Attachments:
> Hello,
> I read this statement of purpose from
> your website with interest:  to encourage the University and its various
> employee groups to take into account requirements of its
> retirees;
> I'm sure you would agree that in addition
> to field trips and the like, there are substantial requirements that
> the Retirees Association should address.  Therefore,  I
> would like to call your attention to the situation re extended medical
> benefits available to SFU retirees.  One again, when faced with
> the need for "para medical" services, I am astonished at the
> paucity of support our university gives its' retirees.
> Today I phoned Blue Cross,  because my doctor suggested I see a
> Podiatrist for some rather severe foot problems.  I was told that
> our "benefit" is $10 for the first 12 visits and, basically,
> $8.00 after that to a max of $200 per year.  That means, of
> course, that the $95 I will have to pay for the first visit, will cost
> me $85, and then I'm on my own until  (or if) I have had 11 more
> visits....  Several hundred dollars down the road.  In fact,
> this "benefit" is a joke.  Just filling out the form
> would be an insult.
> This is not the first time that I have
> encountered such a problem with our extended health plan, but for
> years I had simply given up and haven't bothered to file for any of
> the "para-medical" services I might have needed or taken. 
> However, in this instance, I am fuming because I simply cannot do
> without the medical attention, as well as the new orthotics I will
> need in order to remain able to walk without pain, and without having
> major operations--(one pair per lifetime---now there's a
> "benefit"!).
>
> I know that there are numerous examples
> of how the SFU plan fails to meet the needs of retirees when we most
> need support.  I suggest that SFURA survey it's members to
> determine whether others have had similar needs unmet.
>
> Perhaps, also, SFURA should contact the
> Faculty Association about the poor extended health benefits this
> university provides at all levels. (my husband who is still a full
> time professor would get $33.86, for example. for 12 podiatrists'
> visits)   I contacted Susan Stevenson several years ago to
> complain about our package, but she reiterated some nostrum about how
> the province had cut benefits and the coverage was to replace what the
> province used to cover.  Of course, in the old days, the extended
> plan did indeed cover what the province didn't - a reasonable
> prercentage of the gap between provincial coverage and the actual
> costs!
>
> It just may be time to investigate other
> extended health providers:  A friend whose husband just retired
> mentioned that she was distressed at the poor dental benefits for
> retirees, and was told that Sun Life provides much better protection
> for UBC retirees.
>
> I look forward to hearing from
> you,
>
> Santa Aloi
>
> -- 
>  
> Santa Aloi
> Professor of Dance, Emerita
> Simon Fraser University
> #804, 1835 Morton Avenue
> Vancouver B.C.
> Canada V6G 1V3
> (604) 261-8243

-- 

Santa Aloi
Professor of Dance, Emerita
Simon Fraser University
#804, 1835 Morton Avenue
Vancouver B.C.
Canada V6G 1V3
(604) 261-8243