Premiums: Details on payment delays or relief

 

We are able to extend the premium payment grace period by an additional 30 days.


If your company is unable to make the premium payment by the end of this 30 day extension, please contact us prior to the end of this 30 day period and we can further discuss options.


Employees in The Waiting Period: How is this handled?


There is no change to the current process.  The waiting period still needs to be satisfied.  


Processing Layoffs: Administrative Steps Required


See attached form (at bottom) to be completed; list of employees is required.


Coverage, by Benefit and Extensions during Layoff

 

Plan sponsors that have a lay-off provision in their contract can retain their current provision as is to allow all benefits, excluding disability for the period stated in their contract. The provision is typically up to six months. 


**As a temporary exception, MBC will extend the provision to disability coverage for up to 90 days. A person can satisfy their elimination period while on temporary lay-off. 


This is applicable until May 31, 2020. Requests can be made retroactively to March 16 or up to 2 weeks thereafter. 


Minimum Hours of Work

 

Medavie Blue Cross will temporarily allow members to maintain benefits even if their hours are reduced below the ‘minimum number of hours worked’ requirement. 


Salary Based Benefit Coverage Amounts


Salary based benefits will be adjudicated based on the coverage for which premiums are currently being paid. Should plan sponsors wish to modify this coverage, they must advise Medavie Blue Cross of the salary reductions for affected employees so this can be adjusted in the event of a claim during the period of reduced hours.

This approach is considered a temporary administrative process change and is applicable until May 31st, 2020. It is being revaluated continuously and subject to change.


Renewal Handling

 

For group renewals up to 50 lives, we will postpone renewals scheduled for May and June until July (that have not been completed). The rate effective date for postponed renewals will be July 1, with the renewal anniversary date remaining unchanged.


For group renewals over 50 lives, our standard process will be for renewals to continue according to the regular schedule. 


Health Care


Prescription Supply Amounts


The provincial pharmacy regulators in several provinces, in consultation with government, have issued temporary drug dispensing directives to pharmacists to ensure a stable supply of drugs for all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In these provinces, prescription drugs will only be dispensed for one month’s supply at a time except under exceptional circumstances. This could result in additional pharmacy dispensing fees.


This mandatory measure was not initiated by Medavie Blue Cross, but we understand that efforts are needed to ensure all Canadians can continue to have access to the drugs they need during this uncertain time.  To help minimize social interactions, members can also consider receiving prescriptions through home delivery service. 


We will continue to assess if other adjustments are required to our drug claims processing practices to ensure an appropriate supply of medication to our members.


Employee and Family Assistance Plans (EFAP) and Mental Health Support - ONLY for GROUPS WITH EAP


https://workplacelearning.morneaushepell.com/en/covid-19-training


  • inConfidence members (managers and employees) can also access a Covid19 Toolkit in the Life section of our app/website www.myinconfidence.ca
  • Access your inConfidence® Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.myinconfidence.ca or dial 1-877-418-2181


Member Communications Plan

 

MBC corporate website which has information for members, plan sponsors, advisors, providers, anyone who logs onto our this website: https://www.medaviebc.ca/