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Summer Luncheon
Date ~ June 4, 2012
Place ~ Ramada Courtyard Inn
Time ~ Doors open at 11:30, Lunch served at 12:00.
Cost ~ $20.00
(includes taxes, gratuity and cost of venue)
Menu
Chicken Schnitzel
Green beans & Roasted Pepper salad with toasted Almonds
Waldorf salad with apples, celery root, romaine hearts and Walnut dressing
Warm potato salad
Braised Red Cabbage
Dessert, Coffee & Tea
Meeting
Election of Executives
Email Shirley at sd.stadler@shaw.ca if you will be attending
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We are still SORTA
South Okanagan Retired Teachers’ Association
Some of our members received a letter asking
us to join SOSRTA. It has been confusing for our members.
Oliver & Osoyoos are forming their own chapter of BCRTA.
Unless you want to become a member of Oliver & Osoyoos do nothing.
You will still be a member of SORTA
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SORTA donates two bursaries to the Kiwanis Festival each year.
The precipitants this year are:
Brett Cosco: Speech Arts Bursary
Hessuca O’Gorman: Junior Encouragement for Strings Bursary
We received nice Thank You letters from Brett & Hessuca
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SORTA Bursary
SORTA has a bursary fund at the Penticton Okanagan College. The dividends from this fund pays for the bursaries. In the past we have given two $1000 bursaries but because of the low returns the last few years it only generates enough for one bursary. The bursaries are given to a second year student studying to be a teacher. The student must have graduated from a South Okanagan High School. When you are donating to charity please consider donating to this fund as it could use a boost. All donators will receive tax receipts.
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Report to: BCRA Directors
BCRTA Branch Presidents
Date: April 5, 2012
From: Annette O’Connor
Pension & Benefits Committee
Teachers’ Pension Plan Extended Health Care Updates:
1. To submit a claim for our new Teachers’ Pension Plan Voluntary EHC Plan you must have the new plan number. As our new enrollment cards for the EHC Plan still use our Social Insurance Number as our ID number, we recommend that members make a note of the plan number but do NOT carry their enrollment cards in their wallet.
2. Our new voluntary EHC Plan drug coverage pays 80% for:
Up to $10 for the dispensing fee,
Maximum 8% markup over the cost to the pharmacist,
The low cost alternative unless your doctor requires the original for medical reasons.
3. For all prescriptions:
Ask your Doctor if there is a lower cost form of this medication.
If yes, ask if that would be appropriate for you as your EHC plan
pays for the low cost alternative.
If not, contact Pacific Blue Cross to see if you need a Doctor’s note or special
authority.
1 888 275-4672
NOTE: It is important to know that changing from a brand name medication to a generic form of the medication MAY be considered a new medication affecting the stability clause in your travel insurance especially if the dosage is modified.
BCRTA Extended Health Care “Plan 2”:
The BCRTA offers a Pacific Blue Cross EHC plan for those BCRTA members who do not receive a pension from the Teachers’ Pension Plan. It is a group plan called “Plan 2”.
Current rates:
Single $91.26/monthly
Family $177.38/monthly
Most individual EHC plans are in fact more expensive for anyone over age 65 so the BCRTA “Plan 2” is a better deal if the insurance coverage is appropriate for the members needs.
The purpose of a group plan is to ensure that the association receives a better option for their members than just offering an individual plan.
The details of the plan are on the BCRTA website,
Medoc Update:
We contacted Johnson Inc. with member concerns relating to the Marketplace program on travel insurance and received the following response:
“At Johnson,
we are diligent in ensuring that our members answer the Health Option
Questionnaire correctly to ensure that they are covered.
In our renewal packages sent out to existing Medoc policyholders an article is
included (a copy of which is attached) advising members of the importance of
completing the Health Option Questionnaire (HOQ) accurately to ensure claims can
be honoured.
On our on-line quoting system before proceeding with the eQuote, applicants must
use the tick box to agree to the following plainly worded disclaimer: "Your
quote will be reflective of the information you provide, so please ensure that
all information is accurate. Any misrepresentation or false statements may void
your policy."
For members completing the Medoc package, we clearly indicate the following on
the Health Option Questionnaire -NOTE: If you have questions about how you
should answer the questionnaire, please contact your physician.
When our members call in to our office, our staff advise them that if there is
something on the HOQ they don't understand or aren't sure of, they should
consult with their physician. We also welcome and encourage our members to call
us for policy wording clarification.
We make every attempt via association newsletter articles, the renewal
newsletter articles etc to ensure all of our customers are aware of their
responsibilities when it comes to the purchase of the MEDOC plan and that they
should be cognisant of their own health condition when completing the health
questionnaire. I am confident that we make every attempt to keep our customers
informed and are quite serious about them understanding their coverage. It is
unfortunate however and we have no control over those that opt not to read what
we publish or call to ask questions prior to purchase of the plan or before
travel.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know. I would be
happy to assist!”
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HOME CARE IS BEST
A BCRTA Response to Ombudsperson’s Report on Senior’s Care
THE BEST OF CARE: Getting it right for seniors in BC (Part 2)
Introduction:
The central relationship in senior’s care is between the senior (resident, patient), caregiver and family. Everything within the system must encourage, support and nurture that relationship. The Ombudsperson’s report makes it quite clear that this relationship is broken and in need of repair. This is an issue that needs a full discussion throughout the province. The BC Retired Teachers’ Association (BCRTA) presents this brief on behalf of its members in the spirit open and transparent discussion.
The BCRTA believes the Ombudsperson’s report is a good roadmap to improving the necessary services and protection for seniors. Specifically we want to support government’s decision to appoint an “advocate to assist and protect seniors receiving public and private community and health care services and ensure that complaints are resolved.” We support this position being an officer of the legislature in the same accountability that the advocate for children has.
Acronyms:
Health Authorities – HA
Assisted Living – AL
Residential Care – RC
Home support – HS
Home and Community Care – HCC
Ministry of Health (MOH)
BC Retired Teachers’ Association - BCRTA
The BC Retired Teachers’ Association (the BCRTA) is a voluntary membership organization of over 15,000 retired educators - we have 50 branches in every region of the province. The BCRTA was formed in 1946 and currently has 12 directors and 11 committees. The BCRTA has a distinct existence separate from but with close ties to the BCTF - many of us were members at one time. We have offices at 100 – 550 West 6th Avenue in Vancouver and our web site is www.bcrta.ca.
The BCRTA exists to promote the interests and welfare of its members and seniors generally. We communicate with members to provide information on various programs and benefits, on matters of common interest and promote excellence in public education.
The BCRTA is meeting with you to respond to some of the issues addressed in the recent report from the BC Ombudsperson - THE BEST OF CARE: Getting it right for seniors in BC (Part 2). The Ombudsperson made over 50 site visits, heard from 40 organizations including ours, and listened to many individual British Columbians. Many of our members made submissions. The Ombudsperson reviewed all the administrative and complaints processes, regulations and legislation currently governing HCC services.
The Ombudsperson’s report has covered the continuum of senior’s care from independent living in our own homes to end of life care. It has included recommendations on issues such as fraud and scams. For our purposes, at this time, we want to concentrate on the issue of home support - the initial stage on the continuum - because we see it as a preventative, proactive endeavour. The longer seniors are kept in their home environment, the more chance they will have no need for more expensive care, such as time in acute care treatment. This means a more positive situation for seniors and a significant cost savings to the health care system.
The BCRTA would like to take this opportunity to advocate on behalf of recommendations that are related to home support.
Recommendations: bracketed numbers refer to the recommendation of the Ombudsperson’s report.
Recommendation #1
That the MOH take the necessary regulatory and legislative action to ensure that seniors who receive home support services have legal protection from financial abuse that is similar to seniors living in residential care.(R32)
Recommendation #2
That the MOH ensure that comprehensive legal protection from adverse consequences for anyone, including service providers who make a complaint in good faith about neglect or abuse from home support service is in place. (R33)
The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors in BC
March 2012
BCRTA Advocates
Write a letter to the Minister of Health to express your support for the Ombudsperson’s findings recommendation.
Background: On February 14, 2012, BC Ombudsperson Kim Carter released the final report on her province-wide investigation into “systemic issues” in home and community care. Her report provides a very precise roadmap for improving seniors’ care in BC. Specifically, it outlines 176 recommendations for improving the quality, accessibility, and accountability of our seniors care system. (Copies of the Ombudsperson’s report are available on the BCRTA web site: www.bcrta.ca)
On February 14, the provincial government also released its response to the report in the form of an action plan for seniors’ care. While the action plan contains a number of positive steps, such as the announcement of a consultation process to establish a seniors’ advocate, there is currently no provincial government commitment to fully implement the Ombudsperson’s recommendations. (Copy of the government’s action plan is available on the BCRTA web site: www.bcrta.ca)
Why write a letter? The BC Ombudsperson’s report represents an historic opportunity to address:
• serious problems in our home and community care system
• strengthen the services and supports that can help BC’s growing population of seniors to age in place, and to die with dignity.
• The report speaks to families of seniors in care and how they can be supported.
• The report reflects 1000s of interviews and comments from seniors, their families and loved ones.
• Each of us has a personal story about parents, grandparents, friends in care. These are valuable to put in your letter.
In order to encourage and support action on this report, the provincial government needs to hear from a wide range of voices and concerns about the importance of fully implementing the report’s recommendations, and the need for transparent consultation with stakeholder groups and seniors themselves and their families.
Who should write a letter?
• Individual BCRTA members
• BCRTA branch executives
• families of seniors in care
• other seniors groups in your community
• service providers
• local teachers’ association
• community leaders
• practitioners and organizations
What are some key points that could be covered in a letter? (This is not an exhaustive list; individuals may have other points to make)
· The BC Ombudsperson’s report on seniors’ care is a comprehensive roadmap to improving seniors’ care in BC.
· The 176 recommendations made in the report can and need to be implemented in a timely way. The provincial government needs to asked for a clear commitment to full implementation, and develop a plan with timelines for doing so. BCRTA members may identify specific recommendations related to the situation with their family, friends and loved ones.
· Seniors and organizations concerned about seniors’ wellbeing are very interested in participating in the discussion about how the Ombudsperson’s recommendations will be implemented, in particular how the seniors’ advocate position is structured. We look forward to hearing from government about how seniors will be consulted and encouraged to remain actively involved on these issues. It is vital that consultation processes are open and transparent.
· Your government has agreed to enhance the information available on the BCSeniors.ca website about home and community care programs and other services. However, the complexity of the home and community care system, the uniqueness of many local support services, and barriers to accessing online information mean that access to a web site is not enough. Seniors across the province need access to meaningful programs, in their own communities, where they can learn from each other and from service providers about how to effectively navigate the home and community care system and other supports needed for healthy aging.
· In your letter to the Minister - We encourage you to talk about the role your organization plays in supporting seniors and to highlight other issues that are of particular interest. Or, if you are writing as an individual talk about your experience and knowledge of the issues in dealing with friends and family members. You might also want to talk about the contributions seniors have made over their lifetimes to their communities and the importance of having services and supports in place now that they need them. Refer here to the BCRTA report on Volunteerism which is available online – www.bcrta.ca.
· Finish your letter with a specific question about government plans for implementation of the report and address a specific concern affecting your family and friends.
Who should the letter be sent to? Address your letter to:
Hon. Michael de Jong
Minister of Health
Room 337
Parliament Buildings,
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
And “cc” (copy) the following people:
Kim Carter BC Ombudsperson
PO Box 9039 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9A5 http://www.ombudsman.bc.ca/
Your MLA
Look up by postal code at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm
Mike Farnworth
Opposition Critic for Health
Room201
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Katrine Conroy
Opposition Critic for Seniors and Long-Term Care
Room 201
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Silas Brownsey
Executive Director, Seniors’ Healthy Living Secretariat
PO Box 9825
Victoria, BC V8W 9W4
PLEASE FORWARD A COPY OF YOUR LETTER TO: BCRTA Office, #100 – 550 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4P2, pat@bcrta.com, 604-871-2260, 877-683-2243, Fax: 604-871-2265.
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BCRTA Directors Meeting
March 2012
See Minutes link
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