Benefits Overview (UNIFOR)

This summary provides an overview of the main provisions of the group insurance program for eligible Unifor staff at St. Francis Xavier University.

This document is not a contract and is subject to change; it is provided for your convenience. If any discrepancies between the contents of this summary and the official plan contract should arise, the terms of the insurance contract will apply in all cases. In no way shall this document confer any contractual rights or obligations.

Benefit Guide (PDF)

Eligibility

To be eligible for group benefits, you must be:

a permanent employee who is a resident of Canada;
covered under your provincial government health plan;
actively at work; and,
working a minimum of 20 hours per week on a regular basis.

Spouse is defined as:

a person of the opposite or same sex who is legally married to you, or
has continuously resided with you for not less than one full year having been represented as a common law spouse.

Dependent children are defined as:

Your natural, legally adopted or stepchildren who are dependent upon you for financial care and support. Such children must be:

unmarried;
unemployed;
less than 22 years of age; or,
if 22 years of age but less than 26 years of age, they must be attending an accredited educational institution, college or university on full-time basis.

The children of your common-law spouse shall be covered provided the children are living with you.

Unmarried, unemployed children 22 years of age or older shall qualify if they are dependent upon you by reason of a mental or physical disability and became totally disabled prior to attaining age 22, and who have been continuously disabled since that time. Unmarried, unemployed children who became totally disabled while attending an accredited educational institution, college or university on a full-time basis prior to their attaining age 26 and have been continuously so disabled since that time shall also qualify as a dependent.

Health Benefits

Cost Sharing	90% paid by the University 10% paid by the employee
Eligibility	Active - when member retires or at end of the calendar year when they reach 71. Early Retirees - the end of the month that the member reaches age 65.
Prescription Drugs	Reimbursement: You pay $5 for each eligible drug on the prescription. After the $5, the program pays 100%. Limitations Mandatory Generic Substitution Prior Authorization may be required. Pay Direct Drug Card
Hospital Care	100% reimbursement for a Semi-Private Room
Vision Care	100% reimbursement Lenses, Frames, Contact Lenses and Laser Corrective Eye Surgery $250 every 24 consecutive months Every 12 consecutive months for dependent children less than 18 years of age Eye Examinations $50 every 24 consecutive months Every 12 consecutive months for dependent children less than 18 years of age
Paramedical Services	100% reimbursement Provided by a licensed: speech therapist, massage therapist, , chiropractor, osteopath, acupuncturist, chiropodist/podiatrist, homeopath, dietician, audiologist, occupational therapist, athletic therapist or naturopath 100% reimbursement up to $800 per practitioner in a calendar year. Overall combined maximum of $800 per calendar year. Maximum $100 for x-rays for chiropractor or osteopath. Provided by a licensed clinical psychologist/social worker, registered counselling therapist: $1,000 per calendar year. Licensed Physiotherapist $800 per calendar year.
Private Duty Nursing	100% reimbursement to a maximum of $10,000 per calendar year
Medical Supplies & Prosthetic Equipment	100% reimbursement Repairs and/or adjustments are provided to a maximum eligible expense of $300 in a calendar year. Refer to benefit booklet for more information.
Other Eligible Expenses	100% reimbursement Accidental dental provided treatment is within 180 days of accident. Ambulance services to and from nearest hospital able to provide essential care; max $1,000 per calendar year. Hearing aids to a maximum of $600 every three consecutive calendar years; under age 18 every calendar year. Insulin pumps to a maximum of one per five consecutive years. Molded arch supports to a maximum of $300 every year. Compression Stockings to a maximum of $250 per year.
Reasonable and Customary	Expenses are reimbursed based on Medavie Blue Cross' assessment of reasonable and customary fees.

Dental Benefits

Cost Sharing	90% paid by the University 10% paid by the employee
Eligibility	Active - when the employee retires or at end of the calendar year when they reach 68. Early Retirees - the end of the month that the employee reaches age 65.
Reimbursement	Preventative Services - oral examinations, x-rays, scaling and other preventative treatments 100% reimbursement to a maximum of $1,500 in a calendar year. Basic Care - endodontic and periodontic related services 80% reimbursement to a maximum of $2,000 per calendar year. Major Restorative Care - inlays/onlays/crowns and implants 80% reimbursement to a maximum of $1,500 per calendar year Orthodontic Care 50% reimbursement to a maximum of $3,500 per lifetime
Fee Guide	Current fee guide for general practitioners in the employee's province of residence.
Recall Examination	One per consecutive 12 months for participants age 19 and over One per six consecutive months for participants under age 19

Life Insurance

Basic Life Insurance

Cost Sharing	50% paid by the University 50% paid by the employee
Insured Persons	Employee only
Coverage	2 times annual earnings rounded to the nearest $100, if not already a multiple thereof, up to a maximum benefit of $400,000.
Termination of Coverage	Coverage terminates the earlier of age 70 or retirement or termination of employment

Optional Life Insurance

Cost Sharing	100% paid by the employee
Insured Persons	Employee only
Coverage	2 times annual earnings rounded to the nearest $100, if not already a multiple thereof, up to a maximum benefit of $400,000. Evidence of insurability is required for all insured amounts over $50,000.
Termination of Coverage	Coverage terminates December 31st following attainment of age 65, termination of employment or retirement whichever is earlier.

Dependent Life Insurance

Cost Sharing	50% paid by the University 50% paid by the employee
Insured Persons	Employee's spouse and dependants.
Coverage	Spouse: $10,000 Child: $5,000
Termination of Coverage	Coverage terminates the earlier of age 70 or retirement or termination of employment.

Travel Insurance

Cost Sharing	100% paid by the University
Insured Persons	Employee, Spouse and Dependents (if covered by extended health plan)
Coverage	Lifetime maximum of $2,000,000. Maximum 180 day travel limit. Coverage provided by Beneva/SSQ, policy #1LR45. Benefits Card Frequently Asked Questions
Termination of Coverage	When member retires or at end of the calendar year when they reach 71.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Required Insurance

Cost Sharing	50% paid by the University 50% paid by the employee
Insured Persons	Employee Only
Coverage	Amount equal to employee life insurance. In case of an accidental injury, the amount paid to you is based on the nature of your injury.
Termination of Coverage	Coverage terminates the earlier of age 70 or retirement or termination of employment.

Optional Insurance

Cost Sharing	100% paid by the employee
Insured Persons	Employee, spouse and dependants
Coverage	Employee: $10,000 minimum, in units of $10,000, to a maximum of $400,000. Family Plan: Spouse only: If no dependent children covered, the coverage for the employee's spouse is 60% of the employee's coverage. Spouses and dependant children: Coverage for the employee's spouse is 50% and coverage for dependent children is 10%. Dependent children only: If no spouse is covered, the amount of coverage for each dependent child is 20% of employee's coverage.
Termination of Coverage	Coverage terminates the earlier of age 70 or retirement or termination of employment.

Optional Critical Illness

Cost Sharing	100% paid by the employee
Insured Persons	Employee and spouse
Coverage	You and your Spouse have the option to buy coverage in units of $10,000 up to a max of $150,000. Coverage is available up to $50,000 with no medical evidence required as long as you apply within 31 days of your hire date. Critical Illness insurance provides a non-taxable lump sum benefit to the employee and covers the following conditions:
	Heart Attack Major Organ Transplant Kidney Failure Loss of Speech Parkinson’s Disease Heart Valve Replacement Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Major Organ Failure Requiring Transplant Multiple Sclerosis Life Threatening Cancer Benign Brain Tumor Coma Stroke Major Burns Alzheimer's Disease Motor Neuron Disease Blindness Paralysis Loss of Limbs Aorta Surgery Deafness
Termination of Coverage	Coverage terminates at the earlier of age 70 or retirement, or termination of employment; or when the covered amount has been paid out.
Note	Insurer must be notified within 30 days of diagnosis.

Long Term Disability

Cost Sharing	100% paid by employee
Insured Persons	Employee only.
Coverage	60% of monthly earnings.
Maximum coverage	$15,000 per month
Qualifying Period	105 days
Duration of Benefits	To age 65, however, if benefit payments commence during the 12 months immediately preceding the employee's 65th birthday, benefit payments will continue during the disability to a maximum of 12 months.
Benefits Taxable	Payments from the plan are non-taxable because the employee pays the premium.
Definition of Disability	Restriction or lack of ability due to an illness or injury which prevents the employee from performing the essential duties of: the employee's own occupation, during the Qualifying Period and the 24 months immediately following the Qualifying Period; and, Any occupation for which the employee is qualified, or may reasonably become qualified, by training, education or experience, after the 24 months specified in part 1 of this provision.
Termination of Coverage	Benefits terminates the earlier of age 65, retirement or termination of employment. Coverage ceases at age 65 less the waiting period.

Tuition Credit Program

Contact

People and Culture

HR@stfx.ca

4th Floor MacKinnon Hall
4130 University Avenue
Antigonish NS B2G 2W5
Canada