Extended Health Care
Designed to supplement existing provincial hospital and medical insurance plans. The benefit allows for reimbursement of expenses and/or services not covered by existing government plans.
Coverage typically includes the following:
- Hospital Benefit – permits insured individuals to obtain preferred accommodation (if available) at a semi-private or private level.
- Drug coverage – may include prescription, prescribed or hybrid
- Medical supplies and equipment – can provide coverage for any eligible medical expense listed under Section 118.2(2) of the Income Tax Act
- Paramedical services – covers charges, including x-rays, of various paramedical practitioners such as Chiropractor, osteopath, naturopath, podiatrist, acupuncturist, masseur, speech therapist, psychologist, psychoanalyst (Quebec only), and physiotherapist. Most services require a physician’s referral.
- Out-of-province coverage – coverage for out-of-province emergency medical expenses for an insured person traveling outside his or her province of residence. The benefit typically covers a period of up to 60 days of continuous travel. Expenses covered typically include – hospital, supplies, diagnosis and treatment by a physician, ambulance.
- Other health care benefits – may include Private Duty Nursing, Accidental Dental, Vision Care, Ambulance.
Flexible benefit plans – have gained popularity with employers in recent years. Allows for a customized (or flex) plan, offering a list of benefit options that members can choose from. Members are given credits, which they can then allocate to options that are right for them and their family. If they choose benefits over and above tr credit limit, they pay extra.
Health spending accounts – sometimes offered in addition to, or separate from, a flex plan. Again, members have credits (or a credit card) that they can apply towards health care expenses, some of which may not be covered by their employee or provincial plan. (e.g. Eye glasses, deductible on prescription drugs).
Services
Life Insurance
Basic life insurance pays a pre-specified amount (typically based on employee’s earnings or a flat amount) in the event of the death of an employee from any cause.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
Provides protection if a plan member incurs either 1) a loss, or 2) loss of use of: life, limb, sight, hearing, and/or speech due to an accidental injury.
Disability (Short and Long Term)
Disability insurance bridges the gap between income and expense if you become disabled and are unable to earn an income.
Critical Illness
Critical illness coverage bridges the gap found in most traditional employee benefit plans.
Extended Health Care
Designed to supplement existing provincial hospital and medical insurance plans. The benefit allows for reimbursement of expenses and/or services not covered by existing government plans.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
An employee benefit program that assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being.
