Once an employee is enrolled in the plan, changes can not be made unless a “life event change” has taken place.
Life Event Changes include;
- marriage or any other formal union recognized by law, or common-law,
- birth or adoption of a child,
- divorce or legal separation,
- loss of spouse’s benefit coverage, or death of a dependent
Leave of Absence
Employees who are not actively at work (excluding vacation/holidays) must complete a Leave of Absence form.
Continuing benefits during leave
Employees on a leave of absence, provided they are NOT working elsewhere, may continue group benefits coverage for the eligible period allowed as indicated below;
- Life Insurance, AD&D and Dependent Life can be continued up to 6 months or period receiving Employment Insurance benefits for maternity leave maternity or parental leave.
- LTD – may be continued up to 31 days or period receiving Employment Insurance benefits for maternity leave maternity or parental leave.
- Health and Dental Care may be continued up to 6 months or period receiving Employment Insurance benefits for maternity leave maternity or parental leave.
The employee must continue with all the benefits as they CAN NOT pick and choose which benefits they want or do not want.
The benefits office will continue to bill the Agency as usual. It is up to each individual Agency to set their own policy whether or not they will continue to cost share with their employees on a leave of absence or whether the employee will be responsible for the entire cost.
Discontinuing benefits during leave
The employee may request to discontinue their benefits during a leave of absence. Should they choose to do so, ALL benefits are cancelled, as they cannot pick and choose the coverage they wish to keep in effect. The employee would indicate on the Leave of Absence form of the decision to cancel coverage and return it to the benefits office. Please retain a copy of this form for your records as well.
Forms
Maternity Leave & Parental Leave
Continuing benefits during leave
An employee on maternity or parental leave is entitled to keep all benefits under their group insurance plan for a maximum of 80 weeks. It is understood that the continued coverage during this period also means that premium payments must continue. A Leave of Absence form must be completed and sent to the benefits office.
If the employee chooses to not return to work after their leave, the benefits office must be notified of this cancellation as soon they are aware so that we can process the member termination.
Discontinuing benefits during leave
The employee may request to discontinue their benefits during maternity or parental leave. Should they choose to do so, ALL benefits are cancelled, as they cannot pick and choose the coverage they wish to keep in effect. The employee would indicate on the Leave of Absence form of their decision to cancel coverage and return it to the benefits office. Please retain a copy of this form for your records as well.
Once the employee returns to work after their leave, it is important that the benefits office is notified within 31 days of return to active employment. If the benefits office is not informed within the required period, the employee may be treated as a Late Applicant, and premiums will be billed retroactive to the effective date.
Please note, if an employee returns to work within twelve months of the leave or 80 weeks on maternity and parental leave, their benefits would be effective the day they return. Suppose they return to work after twelve months of leave or after 80 weeks from maternity and parental leave. In that case, they will need to enroll again in benefits.