Province Issues Tender for Health and Dental Benefits Plans

The province is requesting proposals for a provider to administer the group health and dental plan for current and retired government employees and their dependents.

The plan is being tendered as a joint project between the Public Service Commission, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union and the Nova Scotia Highway Workers' Union, CUPE Local 1867. One provision of the tender is that it cannot result in government paying more than for the current plan.

"We are committed to providing the most effective coverage to all our employees, retirees and their families at the most competitive rates," said Public Service Commission Minister Frank Corbett. "In taking this plan to tender, we are doing our due diligence to make sure plan members receive the best possible service at the best possible price."

Along with administering the health and dental plan, the successful bidder will pay claims and underwrite the emergency travel health plan. The plan covers about 40,000 members, including employees of 31 employers outside government. The full request for proposals is available at http://gov.ns.ca/tenders/tenders/ns-tenders.aspx .