We are writing to provide an update on upcoming improvements to your health and dental coverage through the Healthcare Employee Benefit Plans (HEBP).
For many years, Manitoba health care workers who are members of HEBP have received benefits at lower levels than workers in comparable sectors and jurisdictions. CUPE and other participating unions have raised concerns about this and have been fighting for improvements to ensure your benefits are fair, while helping to retain and attract more staff.
The HEBP board, which includes appointees from both employers and unions, determined that benefit improvements were both necessary and appropriate. The changes will come into effect May 1, 2026. They will also involve increases to member and employer premiums.
This change was achieved after significant lobbying, but cooperatively with the employer reps, working under the understanding that our provincial NDP government will be paying for the increased employer premiums.
IMPORTANT: **
HEBP will be providing additional information prior to the changes taking effect.
Background
Healthcare Employee Benefit Plan
- Jointly-trusteed Union and Employer vision, dental and health benefits plan with benefits administered through Manitoba Blue Cross.
- A jointly-trusteed plan is one where both the unions and the employers make decisions to manage the plan.
- Manitoba’s four major health care unions, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP), Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU), and Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU), as well as a number of Central Table Regional Health Authority employers (Shared Health, Southern Health-Sante Sud, Cancer Care, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Inter-lake Eastern Health Authority, Northern Regional Health Authority and Prairie Mountain Health Authority).
- Employers and unions each appoint an equal number of trustees to the HEBP Board.
- The benefits provided through HEBP are not negotiated through the collective bargaining process.
- The plan is independent of government.
- The premium costs are shared equally between employers and participating employees.
- The plan was created in 1998.
- Offers Health, Dental, Life Insurance and Disability & Rehabilitation coverage to workers in the public health care field.
Benefit Benchmark Review
- In 2023, HEBP commissioned an independent analysis of how the plan compares with 5 other provincial health worker benefits plans in Western Canada.
- Current HEBP health and dental benefits rank dead last among these plans.
- HEBP also ranks last on the value of these benefits relative to the cost to plan members.
Q and A
When was HEBP last improved?
- HEBP Benefits have not been improved in more than 12 years.
- The last improvements were to drug coverage, and no additional changes have been made since 2013.
What are the proposed improvements?
- The proposed plan improvements would significantly improve prescription drug, dental, vision and paramedical (physiotherapy, chiropractic care, psychology, etc) benefits. Final details will be provided by HEBP.
Can members expect an increase in premium costs with these improvements?
- HEBP benefit costs are shared between employers and plan members. Premium costs will increase for both employers and plan members, but HEBP has not yet finalized the details of those increases.
We have heard from our membership how our benefits are needing to be better. We now have had the chance to work through the process of getting us there. These changes are coming and as changes do occur from time to time, it is important for you to keep up with updates through HEBP online.
**By clicking the link https://hebmanitoba.ca/ signing up, and logging in, you will have access to your personal plan and information that they have on file. You can update it as your life changes and is available to be at your finger tips.
Your voice matters!
In Solidarity,
Holly Chaperon
President of CUPE Local 4270