Benefits

If you currently have partial load benefits that will be ending and have not yet received a contract to support the bridging option, you do have the option of purchasing coverage through Sun Life’s Choice individual plans. For more information on this option, please contact Sun Life financial services consultant at 1-877-893-9893.

There are two type of plans offered:

Health Coverage Choice

• These plans consist of three different coverage options with varying costs. This plan does not require evidence of medical insurability. Read more about Sun Life’s Health Coverage Choice plans here.

Personal Health Insurance Plans

• These plans also consist of three different coverage options with varying costs and does require evidence of medical insurability. Read more about Sun Life’s Health Coverage Choice plans here.

If you have any questions, please contact humanresources@algonquincollege.com.

Annual Benefit Premium Rate Update

The Academic and Support Staff Joint Insurance Committees, the Insured Benefits Subcommittee of the Administrative Consultative Committee and the CAAT Retirees Group Insurance Advisory Committee have completed, with the assistance of a benefits consultant, their annual review of the group insurance premium rates. The proposed adjustments have been approved by the Human Resources Steering Committee, and are effective February 1, 2020.

You can view the group insurance premium rate adjustments for each employee group as well as the cost sharing between employees and the college below:

• Academic Benefits
• Support Benefits
• Administration Benefits
• Partial Load Benefits

Catastrophic Drug Premiums for Support Staff

During the negotiations for the support extension agreement, it was confirmed that catastrophic drug coverage (CDC) would be introduced as a mandatory, employee paid drug coverage plan for out of pocket expenses after $2,500. Such coverage was effective March 1, 2018.

Effective February 1, 2020, support staff employees will begin to see the premium deduction this coverage. The monthly premiums for 2020 are $1.90 (single coverage) and $4.22 (family coverage).

This CDC protects employees from high drug claim costs. As indicated in article 8.1.13 of the Support Staff Collective agreement “Eligible prescription drugs will be reimbursed at the plan coinsurance until an out-of-pocket maximum of $2,500 per person has been reached. Once the annual $2,500 out-of-pocket maximum has been reached, reimbursement of eligible prescription drug expenses will be increased to 100%.

Academic Benefit Changes

Arising from the Academic Bargaining the following changes to benefits under the EHC Plan for Academic employees will be effective February 1, 2018:

• Services of a Psychotherapist and Social Worker are being added
• The annual limit for all paramedical services combined will increase to $2,000.

Visit the Extended Health Care Services page.

Support Staff Benefit Changes

The Support Staff Collective Agreement Extension included language that provided for benefit improvements that match the changes implemented under the Academic settlement. As a result, the following changes to benefits under EHC Plan for Support Staff will be effective February 1, 2018:

• Services of a Psychotherapist and Social Worker are being added
• The annual limit for all paramedical services combined will increase to $2,000.

In addition, effective March 1, 2018, there will be coverage for catastrophic drug expenses. Under this arrangement, the plan member will be responsible for up to $2,500 of coinsurance (their 15%) in any benefit year. Once the member has reached the $2,500 limit, the plan will reimburse 100% of eligible drug expenses.

Visit the Extended Health Care Services page.

Bill 148 Maternity/Parental Leave Extension

Effective January 1, 2018 if an employee elects to take the extended Parental leave, they would receive a reduced EI benefit amount (33% of their regular insurable earnings). The College calculates the SUB top up as if the employee is receiving the maximum EI weekly amount which would be the difference between the maximum weekly EI benefit (55%) and 93% of their earnings. This amount is then paid over the duration of the leave. The college is not to pay out more to someone who has elected to take the extended leave than they would receive over the 1-year leave.

It should be noted that if the employee chooses to end their parental leave early, there is no entitlement to a pay out of SUB payments in respect of the cancelled leave period.

Visit the Maternity & Parental Leave page.

OHIP+

This change to the provincial health plan is effective January 1, 2018.

Under OHIP+, dependent children aged 25 and under who have OHIP coverage will be covered by OHIP+. Enrollment in OHIP+ will be automatic and eligible medications will be covered at no cost. OHIP+ coverage stops on the patient’s 25th birthday. Students attending college or university in another province or territory may continue to be covered if they remain insured by OHIP and obtain their prescription medications in Ontario.

The Academic and Support Staff Joint Insurance Committees, and the Insured Benefits Subcommittee of the Administrative Consultative Committee have completed their review of the group insurance premium rates. These adjustments are approved by the Management Board of Council on the recommendation of the Joint Insurance Committees and the Human Resources Steering Committee and are in effect February 1, 2018.

Please note the Critical Illness Premiums are NOT changing at this time.

You can view the group insurance premium rate adjustments for each employee group below:

• Group Rate Premium Rate Adjustments – Academic
• Group Rate Premium Rate Adjustments – Support
• Group Rate Premium Rate Adjustments – Administrative

Note from Sun Life Financial:

What would happen if you were suddenly unwell?

Reduce the financial impact of a serious illness. Help protect yourself with critical illness insurance.

Apply between November 1 and November 30, 2016, and you and your spouse can get up to $50,000 of coverage at affordable group rates. No health questions asked or medical exam required!*

On November 1, 2016, all eligible employees will receive an email from HR_College_of_Applied_Arts_and_Technology with more information.

It’s really that easy! Stay tuned for more information.

*If you do not answer medical questions at the time of application, the pre-existing condition limitation will apply to your Optional Critical Illness Insurance coverage. All claims must be approved by Sun Life Financial.

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sunlife Financial group of companies.

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