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faculty
/ staff > compensation > benefits >
A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions.
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What
is the phone number for our Extended Health and Dental benefits
carrier?
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The toll free telephone
number for our Extended Health and Dental benefits carrier
is 1-866-UWO-8515
or 1-866-896-8515.
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When
was the last time I made a Visioncare claim?
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This
information is maintained by our Extended Health and Dental
benefits carrier. You can inquire about your claim
via the Internet (click
here to log-in to Manulife Financial), or by contacting the
call centre or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at the
numbers
listed
above. You will need to have your policy number and identification
number ready when you contact the benefits carrier. See your
Extended Health and Dental identification
card for this information.
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What is my coverage under the Extended Health or Dental plans?
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Your
coverage depends on the Union/Association to which you belong
and the negotiated contract. This information can be found
here.
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Where
can I get claim forms for Extended Health, Visioncare
and Dental?
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You
can download the
forms here.
Please note that the Extended Health Benefit Claim Form should
also be used when claiming for Visioncare
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Where
should completed forms be sent?
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Manulife Financial,
PO Box 400
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4A9 |
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Are we covered for visits to a licensed chiropractor, since they are no longer covered by OHIP? |
| On December 1, 2004, chiropractor services were delisted by the Government of Ontario. Under the provisions of your Extended Health plan, you are eligible for $15 a visit after the 15th visit per calendar year. |
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Do
I have out-of-country emergency medical coverage while
traveling?
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Yes, you do have
out-of-country emergency medical coverage. On the reverse
side of the Extended Health and Dental identification card
provided by the benefits carrier, it lists telephone numbers
to
contact at the time of the emergency, depending on where
you are in the world. For more details on this coverage,
please refer to the applicable group
benefit plans booklet.
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I've
lost my Extended Health and Dental identification cards.
How do I get replacements?
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Simply
notify Human Resource Services at 661-2194 or by e-mail
at hr-communication@uwo.ca and
we will have the benefits carrier forward new cards to
your home address. Please be
sure to provide us with your current address.
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Do
we have coverage for such items as a wheelchair?
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Yes,
the rental of a wheelchair may be approved by the benefits
carrier with the written recommendation of
a physician. If the physician feels that the need for this
item would be long-term due to an extended illness or disability,
a purchase may be approved by the benefit carrier, instead.
For the rental or purchase of a wheelchair, a pre-determination form will need to be completed by the physician.
The purchase
of this type of equipment may also be eligible for partial
reimbursement by the government’s Assistive
Devices Program (ADP). The ADP office can be reached at 1-800-268-6021
or you can visit their website.
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Do
we have coverage for such items as a hospital bed?
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Yes, the rental of a hospital bed may be approved
by the benefits carrier with the written recommendation of
a physician. If the physician feels that the need for this
item would be long-term due to an extended illness or disability,
a purchase may be approved by the benefits carrier, instead.
For the rental or the purchase of a hospital bed, a pre-determination
form will need to completed by the physician.
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How
do I get additional Life Insurance for myself and/or my family?
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If you
wish to increase the amount of life insurance coverage for
yourself, you may enroll in the Optional Life Insurance
plan, which offers coverage from ½ times to 2 times your
annual salary. You are eligible to participate on the first day
of your Regular Full-time appointment; however, if you do not
make application within 31 days of first becoming eligible, evidence
of health is required and is subject to approval by the insurance
carrier.
If you wish to carry life insurance on your family, you may
enroll in the Dependent Life Insurance plan, which covers your
spouse/partner for $40,000 and each dependent child for $10,000.
If you have eligible dependent(s), you may participate in the
plan on the first day of your Regular Full-time appointment;
however, if you do not make application within 31 days of first
becoming eligible, evidence of health is required on your dependent(s)
and is subject to approval by the insurance carrier.
For more
details on these plans, please contact Human Resources at 661-2194
or e-mail hr-communication@uwo.ca. |
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I
have just recently separated from my spouse/partner.
Can they still be covered under my benefits plans?
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A spouse/partner is defined as a person who is
legally married to the employee, or although not legally
married to the employee has continuously cohabited in a common-law
like relationship of the same or opposite sex with the employee
for not less than one full year.
In the event of separation for a person who is legally married,
the employee may choose to continue to have the separated
spouse covered under the Extended Health, Dental, Dependent
Life and Voluntary Personal Accident Insurance benefits.
In the event of divorce for a person who is legally married,
the ex-spouse no longer qualifies to be covered as a spouse
under the definition of a Spouse/Partner under the Extended
Health, Dental, Dependent Life and Voluntary Personal Accident
Insurance benefits.
In the event of a breakdown of a common-law relationship,
the employee may choose to continue coverage under the Extended
Health, Dental, Dependent Life and Voluntary Personal Accident
Insurance benefits for the partner for 90 days from the date
the partners cease to cohabit. |
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If
I leave Western, when will my benefits coverage cease?
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Your
coverage will cease at the end of the month in which you
terminate your employment.
For example,
if you terminated June 5th, your coverage would continue
until June 30th.
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