Benefit Improvements

Written by Local 793 Staff

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 […]

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.

Health Spending Account Added to Benefits Plan

Written by Local 793 Staff

A significant improvement is being made to Local 793’s life and health benefits plan. Business manager Mike Gallagher announced at the union’s general membership meeting March 26 in Oakville that all active and retired members eligible under the plan will soon have a special health spending account. The change goes into effect April 1, 2017. […]

A significant improvement is being made to Local 793’s life and health benefits plan.

Business manager Mike Gallagher announced at the union’s general membership meeting March 26 in Oakville that all active and retired members eligible under the plan will soon have a special health spending account.

The change goes into effect April 1, 2017.

A lump sum of $400 will be deposited annually into the health spending accounts of members.

Members will be able to use the funds to top-up their benefits under the current plan.

If a member does not use the funds one year, the amount rolls over to the following year.

Members can accumulate up to a maximum of $800 in the health spending account.

“This is a significant benefit plan improvement that we’ve brought in,” Gallagher said at the general membership meeting. “I hope this is something that will make life just a little bit easier for you.”

Gallagher said funds in the health spending account, for example, could be used to top-up a member’s coverage for chiropractic work or eyeglasses or anything currently covered by the benefits plan.

He said benefit plan trustees decided to add the health spending account for members because the life and health benefits fund is in great shape, with $75 million in reserves.

Gallagher said trustees will continue to look for ways to make the Local 793 plan the leading benefit plan amongst the trades.

Benefit Improvements Announced

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Life & Health Benefits Plan. “We are always striving to provide the best coverage possible for our members,” he said. “I am therefore pleased to announce these changes on behalf of the Life and Health Benefits Plan trustees.” The […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Life & Health Benefits Plan.
“We are always striving to provide the best coverage possible for our members,” he said. “I am therefore pleased to announce these changes on behalf of the Life and Health Benefits Plan trustees.”
The improvements went into effect on or before Jan. 1, 2014:

For active and retired members:

  • Coverage will now be provided for specific eye exams that are necessary for certain medical conditions.
  • Coverage for orthotics will be increased to a maximum of $300 per year from $200 per year.
  • Coverage for prescription sunglasses will now be provided for up to a maximum of $400 every 24 months. This is included as part of the regular vision care package.
  • Coverage for services from a registered physiotherapist will be covered for up to $1,500 per calendar year for both active and retired members. Previously, the plan covered reasonable and customary charges for retired members.
  • 100 per cent of lab fees will be covered. Previously, the plan covered 100 per cent of the lab fees for active members and 50 per cent of the fees for retired members.
  • Coverage for hearing aids will be raised to $1,000 every five years from $800.
  • Coverage for vision care was raised to $400 every 24 months. Previously, it was $275 for active members and $250 for retirees.
  • Additional life insurance for union members will be increased to $2,000 from $1,000.
  • Erectile dysfunction drugs will now be covered for conditions due to a medical disability.
  • The dental fee guide will be changed to the 2013 ODA fee guide effective Jan. 1, 2014.
  • A Members Assistance Program to provide counseling assistance for active or retired members has started. The program is through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi. The MAP is a confidential and voluntary support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. The MAP offers assistance for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations and life transitions. It also offers help for managing relationships and family, finding child and elder care resources, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling addictions and improving nutrition. To find out more about the services available under the MAP, call 1-800-387-4765 or visit the Schepell.fgi website at www.workhealthlife.com and click on the ‘My Services’ tab at the top of the page.

For active members:

  • Life insurance has been raised to $125,000 from $100,000.
  • Coverage for laser eye surgery will be increased to a lifetime maximum of $1,000 from $800.
  • Coverage for massage therapy will be increased to a maximum of $800 per year from $500 per year.
  • Coverage for a psychologist will be increased to $800 per year from $500.
  • Coverage for orthodontic services for individuals under age 21 has been raised to a lifetime maximum of $3,500 from $2,500.
  • Coverage for travel-out-of-province insurance will be increased to a maximum of $150 per year from $100 per year.
  • When an active member exceeds the lifetime maximum of $150,000 per person the amount restored each year will increase to $20,000 from the prior amount of only $1,000.
  • The short-term disability payments will increase to $514 per week for claims after Jan. 1, 2014. The previous amount was $501 a week.

For retired members:

  • Life insurance has been raised to $25,000 from $20,000.
  • Coverage for chiropractor, osteopath, naturopath and podiatrist will have a combined maximum of $200 per year.
  • Coverage for a psychologist, acupuncturist and masseur will have separate maximums of $200 per year. The previous limit was $100 per year.

For more information, call Local 793’s pension and benefits office at 905-469-9299 or (toll free) 1-877-793-4863.