The multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) – which covers more than 23,000 health care workers, including 2,300 HEU members – has just announced a new mental health and wellness provision in the Extended Health Benefits Plan.
Effective January 1, 2026, this enhancement marks another important step toward achieving benefit parity with the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA).
This new benefit – which improves coverage for counselling and mental health support – is part of a special pilot project co-sponsored by the CBA and the Joint Community Benefits Trust (JCBT).
Here are more details:
Annual Limit: a combined maximum of $1,000 per calendar year.
What’s Covered:
- Registered Psychologist
- Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – this is an online-only benefit through specific PBC-approved providers.
- Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Registered Social Worker
- Marriage and Family Therapist
Reimbursement: up to the Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) reasonable and customary limit per visit, subject to co-insurance.
Eligibility: this benefit is for eligible members only.
Pilot Period: will be re-evaluated annually.
HEU’s community health members are encouraged to keep their contact information updated – heu.org/change-contact-information – to stay informed on the bargaining process.
At the CBA bargaining table, committee members Nicole Russell, Lisa Bouma and Donna Zmaeff represent HEU’s community health members, along with servicing representatives Brenda Brown and Tasha Whenham.
The Community Bargaining Association includes BCGEU (the lead), CUPE, HEU (2,300 members), UFCW, HSA, BCNU, and USW, covering 23,000 health care workers across the province.