The Board of Trustees are pleased to advise of the following benefit improvements effective January 1, 2019 for the active and retiree plans:
ACTIVE PLAN:
Benefit Improvements effective January 1st, 2019
- Increase in Dental Fee Guide: The Plan will reimburse dental benefits based on the 2018 Ontario Dental Fee Guide.
- Psychologist: Services of a psychologist, psychotherapist and social worker subject to a combined maximum of $1,000 per calendar year. Note that psychotherapist and social worker were added to the existing psychologist benefit under the Plan.
- Health Care Spending Account: The maximum benefit increased from $400 per family per calendar year to $500 per family per calendar year.
- Vision care: Increase from $600 to $800 and reduced from 24 months to every 12 months from the last date of service for vision aids prescribed by a qualified physician or optometrist for members and dependants regardless of age.
- Increase laser eye coverage from $1,000 to $2,000 per lifetime.
- Long Term Disability – Monetary Benefit: Increase the flat benefit amount from $1,250 to $1,500 per month for existing and future claimants who remain totally and continuously disabled, until the earliest of your recovery, death, attainment of age 65 or the date you have received 10 years of benefit payments.
- Long Term Disability – Permanent Waiver of Premium (Benefit Freezing) – Members on existing and future Long Term Disability Benefits (LTD) may be eligible for Permanent Waiver of Premium (WOP) until they attain the age of 65 provided ongoing medical supports their disability.
- Group Legal Benefits: Members on Long Term Disability can now utilize the Group Legal Benefit Plan.
RETIREE PLAN:
Benefit Improvements effective January 1st, 2019
- Increase in Dental Fee Guide: The Plan will reimburse dental benefits based on the 2018 Ontario Dental Fee Guide.
- Psychologist: Services of a psychologist, psychotherapist and social worker subject to a combined maximum of $500 per calendar year. Note that psychotherapist and social worker were added to the existing psychologist benefit under the Plan.
- Health Care Spending Account: The maximum benefit increased from $400 per family per calendar year to $500 per family per calendar year.
- Vision care: Increase from $600 to $800 and reduced from 24 months to every 12 months from the last date of service for vision aids prescribed by a qualified physician or optometrist for members and dependants regardless of age.
- Laser Eye Surgery: $2,000 per lifetime.