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
Cost Sharing 100% paid by the University
Insured Persons Employee
Coverage

Group travel accident insurance provides accident coverage world-wide, provided you are required to travel on the University’s business away from the premises of the University where you are permanently assigned.

The amount of insurance for accidental loss of life is $250,000. In case of an accidental injury, the amount paid to you is based on the nature of your injury; the benefits are outlined in your Policy.

Benefits are payable for the accidental loss of life regardless of any other benefits that you may receive from any other insurance company. Certain other benefits may be coordinated with any similar benefits, or existing benefits payable under other SSQ in-force policies to ensure maximum payment is available.

Termination of Coverage Age 75
Health Benefits
Cost Sharing 80% paid by the University
20% 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, clinical psychologist/social worker, registered counselling therapist, chiropractor, osteopath, acupuncturist, chiropodist/podiatrist, homeopath, dietician, audiologist, occupational therapist, athletic therapist or naturopath
    • 100% reimbursement up to $600 per practitioner in a calendar year.
    • Overall combined maximum of $600 per calendar year.
    • Maximum $35 for x-rays for chiropractor.
  • 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.
Reasonable and Customary Expenses are reimbursed based on Medavie Blue Cross' assessment of reasonable and customary fees.
Dental Benefits
Cost Sharing

80% paid by the University
20% 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.

Accidential 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.
Business Travel Insurance
Cost Sharing 100% paid by the University
Insured Persons Employee
Coverage

Group travel accident insurance provides accident coverage world-wide, provided you are required to travel on the University’s business away from the premises of the University where you are permanently assigned.

The amount of insurance for accidental loss of life is $250,000. In case of an accidental injury, the amount paid to you is based on the nature of your injury; the benefits are outlined in your Policy.

Benefits are payable for the accidental loss of life regardless of any other benefits that you may receive from any other insurance company. Certain other benefits may be coordinated with any similar benefits, or existing benefits payable under other SSQ in-force policies to ensure maximum payment is available.

Termination of Coverage Age 75
Long Term Disability
Cost Sharing 50% paid by the University
50% paid by employee
Insured Persons Employee only.
Coverage 66.5% of monthly earnings
Maximum coverage $2,500 per month
Qualifying Period 105 days
Duration of Benefits To age 65.
Benefits Taxable Benefits are taxable because the employer contributes to the cost of the LTD coverage.
Definition of Disability

LTD benefits are payable for the first 24 months following the waiting period if injury or disease prevents you from doing your own occupation.

After 24 months, LTD benefits will continue only if your disability prevents you from being gainfully employed in any job. Gainful employment is work you are medically able to perform, for which you have at least the minimum qualifications, and provides you with an income of at least 60% of your indexed monthly earnings before disability and that exists either in the province or territory where you worked when you became disabled or where you currently live. The availability of work will not be considered in assessing disability.

Termination of Coverage

Benefits terminates the earlier of age 65, retirement or termination of employment. Coverage ceases at age 65 less the waiting period.

Contact

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