Fringe Benefits

This is a summary sheet only - Health and Pension Benefits details are made available to you when you become covered under the Plan.

Requirements for benefits:

 (1) A completed application form on file and an MSP application

 (2) Current address and dependent status                         

 (3) Sufficient hours of work earned

1) BC MEDICAL       http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/

• Basic medical coverage In B.C.
• Specialist fee only on referral
• Out of Province coverage - consult your Plan information

• Basic Dental, 90% coverage Plan A, in accordance with approved fee schedule
• Plan B, 70% of approved fees on crowns, bridges, etc.
• Plan C, 50% of approved fees on orthodontics, a lifetime limit of $3,500/person

• Consult your Booklet and/or the Health Benefit Plan Office.

4) EXTENDED HEALTH CARE - Carrier is PBC

       www.pac.bluecross.ca/caresnet

• PBC "BlueNet Pay Direct Card"; which can be used at virtually any/all Pharmacies for the purchase of approved Prescription Drugs [on or after April 1st 2009].  You will be required to pay the Pharmacist for the portion NOT covered by PBC

• Annual $100 family deductible, along with the current 80% reimbursement level after that has been met.  Dispensing fees will not be reimbursed and will not count toward your $100 deductible

NOTE:    After a covered person has received a refund of $1,000 in a calendar year, the reimbursement level changes from 80% to 100% for that person

• Integrated with Pharmacare.  BE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED!

• Covers prescriptions, etc., consult your booklet

• Available through the SMW Benefits Administration Office (consult for information)

• Reimbursement is available to all Plan members and dependents
• Coverage is 80% of purchase price, not to exceed $700.00/ear over a five year period

7) GROUP ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT

• If a covered person suffers a loss as a result of an accident, the percentage of the benefit amount is determined by the classification of the accident according to a Table of Losses
• All percentages are based on the Life Insurance benefit, which is currently $50,000
• This coverage ceases at age 70, or retirement if earlier
  

• Covered members $50,000 straight life. Eligible spouse of covered member $10,000 (with the member as the automatic beneficiary).
• At age 65, the amount of member's coverage reduces to $30,000 and by $5,000 per year thereafter to the $10,000 level, which will remain in effect providing the member remains on the Plan

• DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY BY YOU, THE MEMBERS, IS A MUST!

• Subject to the existing 80% reimbursement, the yearly maximum is now $1,500, with no specific limit on an individual practitioner.  This means that you are now free to use whatever combination of paramedical benefits you wish.  However, the amount per visit that the Plan will cover is subject to a "reasonable and customary limit"; which can be clarified through CaresNet.

10) PSYCHOLOGIST

• Subject to the existing 80% reimbursement the yearly maximum for psychology visits has been increased to $1,000

11) SUPPLEMENTARY HOURS OF CREDIT

• Consult your booklet
• Hours can be credited for periods of illness, W.C.B. claims, and Apprenticeship School attendance.
• Notify the Health Benefit Plan Office and request forms to protect your coverage.

12) VISION CARE

• Available through the SMW Benefits Administration Office, NOT PBC
• Subject to the existing 90% reimbursement level, the maximum refund is now $400.00 every 24 months
• Eye Examination Maximum reimbursement is $75 every 24 months
• See Booklet for more information

COPY OF VISION CARE FORM DOWNLOAD HERE

13) WAGE INDEMNITY

• Covered members can receive a maximum of $457.00 per week.
• This is payable from the 1st day of a non-work related accident, or the 4th day of an illness, providing you see a doctor immediately.  To claim, request forms from the Health Benefit Plan Office.

NOTE:                                                                                                                                 The above Benefits are generally available to Active, Non-Retired, Plan members without constraints ------ BUT Retired Plan Members (including those who may have temporarily "Returned to Work") have limited access to and in some cases are excluded from coverage under certain of the Categories (e.g. Wage Indemnity).

Page last modified on January 19, 2010