Premiums: Details on payment delays or relief

 

If the client is experiencing temporary cashflow issues and cannot pay the monthly premium within 31 days – claims will not be suspended. If the client needs additional support, one of the many solutions we can explore includes premium deferrals up to 60 days, without claim suspension. We will do this on a case by case basis to ensure that is the right approach for the client at this time.


Processing Layoffs: Administrative Steps Required


It is the plan sponsor’s responsibility to notify Manulife of any period of layoff, including the expected return to work date.


Suspension of Benefits 


In order to accommodate our clients who are experiencing extreme financial pressure as a result of COVID-19, on a case-by-case basis we will allow plans to suspend all coverage (Premium and Claims) for a maximum of 120 days with no financial administration charges to the plan sponsor for reinstating. Manulife reserves the right to review pricing with you at the end of the suspension period and respond to material changes in group size. Plan sponsors are responsible for communicating any changes to their plan members. Extremely important, if a plan member becomes disabled during this suspension period the claim will not be eligible.


Coverage, by Benefit and Extensions during Layoff

 

Temporary Layoff 


Our standard contract includes provisions that allow coverage, including disability, to be extended during a period of temporary layoff. Temporary Layoff is defined in your policy as a period during which the employee is laid off work for which there is a fixed recall date. For mid-market and small business, the standard contract provision allows coverage to be extended for up to 120 days. The terms of your specific contract should be reviewed. Extension of coverage during a period of temporary layoff is on a premium paying basis. It is the plan sponsor’s responsibility to notify Manulife of any period of layoff, including the expected return to work date. 

Indefinite Layoff 


Our standard contract includes provisions that allow coverage, excluding disability, to be extended during a period of indefinite layoff. Indefinite Layoff is defined in your policy as a period during which the employee is laid off work and for which there is no fixed recall date. For mid-market and small business, the standard contract provision allows coverage to be extended for up to 120 days. The terms of your specific contract should be reviewed. Extension of coverage during a period of indefinite layoff is on a premium paying basis. It is the plan sponsor’s responsibility to notify Manulife of any period of layoff, including the expected return to work date.


Renewal Handling

 

With a focus of keeping more cash in small and mid-size businesses, renewal adjustments for May, June and July will be deferred 60 days unless the adjustment is a decrease. Premium decreases will still take effect.


Health Care


Why can’t I refill my prescription early, or stock-up in case of emergency? 


Manulife, and many other insurance companies, are not changing the rules for early refills or days’ supply of prescriptions. However, during the COVID-19 crisis, pharmacists and dispensing physicians are recommended to dispense no more than 30-days of medication at a time, to ensure that every patient has an adequate supply of their medications. You might be accustomed to filling your regular prescriptions in larger amounts, but at this difficult time we are all asked to work together. This aligns with the recommendation of the Canadian Pharmacists Association: https://www.pharmacists.ca/news-events/news/canadian-pharmacists-associationwarns-against-stockpiling-medication-in-response-to-covid-19/


Health care practitioners are offering virtual appointments. Are virtual appointments covered by my plan?

 

Virtual appointments are an eligible expense provided the health care practitioner is:

  • licensed and registered in the province in which they are practicing, 
  • has an eligible qualification as determined by Manulife, and 
  • is practicing within the guidelines of their governing body.


Any practitioner offering virtual care must first be licensed by their college or governing body. The college/association or governing body and the practitioner’s scope of practice must permit virtual appointments for the service being claimed.


Why can’t I get my usual amount of prescriptions from the pharmacy? 


We understand you might be worried about having an adequate supply of prescription drugs on hand. However, it’s important to protect the supply of prescription medication available to all Canadians during a crisis like COVID-19. Recently, the Canadian Pharmacists Association discouraged the stockpiling of medication, and asked Canadians to avoid early refills of prescriptions. For most people, a 30-day supply of medication is enough to last through a COVID-19 quarantine, since the length of the quarantine is 14 days. You might be accustomed to filling your prescriptions in larger amounts, but at this difficult time we are all asked to work together. Pharmacists’ priority is the health and safety of their patients; therefore, we encourage you to discuss your unique health and medication needs with your pharmacist. Remember, most pharmacies will deliver medications, so there’s no need to leave home for refills if you don’t want to.


Member Communications Plan

 

Manulife cares about the health of Canadians, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.

As the coronavirus situation unfolds, we’ll respond accordingly. Check this FAQ.