Changes to OPS Dependent Life Insurance now implemented
November 4, 2013
In the recent round of OPS negotiations the parties agreed to increase the coverage for dependent life insurance under Articles 38 and 66. Previously anyone electing to pay the premiums received coverage of $1,000 for a spouse and $500 for each dependent child OR $2,000 for a spouse and $1,000 for each dependent child. With the new language, anyone who elects to pay the premiums will receive coverage of $10,000 to $200,000 for a spouse and $1,000, $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 per dependent child.
The Fact Sheet provides details on the enrolment process, terms and conditions of the plan and termination of the old plan. The Group Insurance Application Form (Form 7540-1192) has been revised to reflect the changes and addresses some of the issues identified by some employees around the previous form (e.g., insufficient space for beneficiaries).
The Employer had faced a number of difficulties implementing this improvement to the dependent life insurance plan. The Employer now informs us that the improvements have been implemented and the open enrolment period is between October 28 and November 27, 2013. This information can also be found on the Benefits site on the HROntario Portal.
Dependent Life Insurance Fact Sheet
Group Insurance Application Form
Benefits extended to OPS fixed-term employees
OPS fixed-term employees now eligible for extended benefits
July 15, 2013
In the recent round of OPS negotiations the parties agreed to extend the Supplementary Health & Hospital and Dental benefits plans (as set out in Articles 39 and 40) to fixed-term employees (FXT). This is an optional benefit and any FXT employee who opts into the plan is responsible for 100 per cent of the monthly premiums.
The employer has faced a number of difficulties implementing this benefits extension plan. The employer now informs us that it will implement the FXT benefits package, effective July 15.
The insurance carriers, Manulife (Supplementary Health & Hospital) and Great-West Life (Dental), have agreed to administer the FXT benefits plans. The Fact Sheet and application forms will be found on the MyOPS intranet by July 15. These materials are also posted on the OPSEU website.
There is a 31-day enrollment period beginning on July 15 and ending on August 15. Once enrolled the benefits become effective August 1, 2013.
Because the insurance carriers are administering the FXT plans, payment must be made to the insurance carriers; Manulife requires post-dated cheques (attached to the enrollment form) while Great-West Life allows pre-authorized debit.
FXT employees can elect to enroll in the Supplementary Health & Hospital with or without vision care and the dental plan. You do not need to disclose pre-existing conditions.
The monthly premiums for each component of the benefits plan are laid out below:
| Single | Family | |
| Supplementary Health & Hospital: | $89.33 | $249.70 |
| Vision Care and Hearing Aids: | $7.75 | $22.59 |
| Dental: | $39.61 | $89.82 |
| Monthly Total (for all 3): | $136.69 | $362.11 |
We strongly recommend that you keep copies of all correspondence when sending in your applications. In addition, you should also email your enrollment form to your manager at the same time that you send your forms to the insurance carriers. In this way you will be able to prove that you enrolled in the FXT benefits plan during the 31 day opt-in window if there is any dispute.
OPSEU’s policy grievance will stand until we see this roll out.
Insured Benefits Fact Sheet
Dental Form
Supplementary Health and Hospital
Benefits Booklet
This is the current Ontario Public Services benefits booklet, “A Guide to Your Benefits for Ontario Public Service Employees Represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), December 31, 2013”. It replaces all previous versions of this booklet. It can also be found on the employer’s intranet at MyOPS and HROntario Services Benefits.
OPS Benefits Booklet December 31, 2013
Liberalizations
CURRENT LIST OF LIBERALIZATIONS* under the Supplementary Health & Hospital Plan AS OF MAY 1, 2003
* A liberalization is a term that is used for a benefit allowed for a member which is not necessarily or normally listed in the benefits booklet or in the collective agreement.
OPS Benefit Insurance Carriers
Members are encouraged to register online. You can print personalized claim forms and keep status of your claims payments using the internet.
For Dental claims:
Great West Life Insurance (Policy No. 330021)
www.greatwestlife.com
For Supplementary Health and Hospital Claims
Manulife Financial (Policy No. 15900)
www.manulife.com
Members can also contact the OPS Benefit Insurance Carriers directly:
For Dental Claims:
GREAT WEST LIFE (Policy No. 330021)
Toronto Benefits Payments
P.O. Box 4076
Station A
Toronto, Ontario
M5W 3A3
Telephone: (416) 440-0406
Toll Free: 1-800-874-5899
Website: www.greatwestlife.com
TTY Line – Toll Free: 1-800-990-6654
For SH&H Claims:
MANULIFE FINANCIAL (Policy No.15900)
Group Health Claims Office
P.O. Box 1657
Waterloo, Ontario
N3J 4W5
Telephone: 1-888-877-4434
Website: www.manulife.ca
For Basic, Supplementary/Dependent Life Insurance:
Manulife Financial Group Benefits (Policy No. 15901)
Life Claims Office
P.O. Box 1602
500 King Street North
Waterloo, Ontario
N2J 4Z6
Telephone: 1-888-877-4434
Website: www.manulife.ca
For LTIP Claims:
Manulife Financial (Policy No. 15902)
Toronto Group Disability Benefits
P.O. Box 4606, Station A
2 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5W 4Z2
Telephone: (416) 687-5049
Toll Free: 1-800-465-2076
Fax: (416) 687-5135
Benefits information for OPSEU members in the Ontario Public Service
December 31, 2013