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FAQs
- What is my “Annual Compensation”?
- What happens to my pension if I die before I retire?
- Will my benefits continue during my maternity leave?
- To what age is my son/daughter covered?
- How can I add my newborn baby to the plan?
- What should I do if I get married/divorced?
- What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
- Who is a beneficiary?
- What if I lose my Manulife Member Card?
- Who do I contact at Manulife in case of a medical emergency while traveling?
- What is a stable medical condition and would I be covered for travel insurance?
- What is a Pharmacare Plan?
- What is covered under my Provincial Health Insurance Plan?
- How do I know for sure whether something is covered?
What is my “Annual Compensation”?
Your Annual Compensation is the basic salary and housing allowances (if applicable) you receive annually in compensation for performing the duties of your position.
What happens to my pension if I die before I retire?
Assuming you are vested (in most provinces vesting is immediate) and if you are a member of the Defined Contribution (DC) plan your spouse (as defined by provincial legislation) is entitled to receive the value of your DC account provided that your spouse has not waived entitlement to the death benefit on the legislatively prescribed form. If there is no spouse then the beneficiary that you have designated is entitled to receive the value of your account. If you are a Defined Benefit (DB) or DB/DC member, adeath benefit is payable to your spouse for your DB benefits provided your spouse has not waived entitlement (on the legislatively prescribed form) equal to 100% of the lump sum commuted value that you would have been entitled to receive had your terminated employment on your date of death. If there is no spouse then your beneficiary is entitled to receive 100% of the lump sum commuted value that your would have been entitled to receive had you terminated employment on your date of death. There may be some differences in the treatment of the death benefit as a result of provincial pension legislation.
Will my benefits continue during my maternity leave?
Employer pension contributions continue to DC members accounts. Required DC member contributions are waived, however, DC members have the option of continuing their Optional DC pension contributions. Benefit coverage continues at the level in effect prior to the commencement of the leave unless the member has a qualifying life event, in which case they may make changes in accordance with the rules of the plan. Members continue to pay their share of the benefit costs while benefits continue. The details of Maternity/Paternity and Parental Leave including the length of leave vary from province to province according to their Employment Standards Legislation. Contact your provincial Employment Standards Branch to find the legislation specific to your province.
To what age is my son/daughter covered?
Your dependent (unmarried) child is covered until age 21 if you provide 51% or more financial support. However, if your child is a student under age 26 attending an accredited school, college or university on a full-time basis and dependent on you for support they may continue as a covered dependent on your plan.
How can I add my newborn baby to the plan?
Congratulations! You will need to inform our office of any new dependents as soon as possible. Print out a copy of the Request for Change form, complete sections 1, 6, and 10, then mail or fax it in to our office.
What should I do if I get married/divorced?
You will need to inform our office of any changes in your dependents including your spouse as soon as possible. Print out a copy of the Request for Change form, complete the appropriate sections, then mail or fax it in to our office. You also may wish to change your beneficiary by completing the Beneficiary Designation Form.
What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
It is the statement of benefits paid or expenses reimbursed under an insurance plan. This statement is provided by the Insurance Company along with the payment. You will need this statement if you are coordinating the benefits of two plans.
Who is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is the person or entity you name to receive a death benefit. Choosing beneficiaries, and keeping those choices up-to-date, is important. If you don’t name a beneficiary, the death benefit will be paid to your estate. If the death benefit goes to your estate, probate proceedings could delay distributing the money, and the cost of probate could diminish the amount available to your heirs.
Under the pension plan your spouse as defined in each provinces’ pension legislation is automatically your beneficiary for the death benefits under the pension plan unless your spouse has waived entitlement to the death benefit on the legislatively prescribed form and in accordance with pension legislation. If you have no spouse or if your spouse has waived entitlement to the death benefit, your designated beneficiary is entitled to the death benefits under the plan.
What if I lose my Manulife Member Card?
If your Manulife Member Card becomes stolen or lost, contact Manulife at 1-800-268-6195 to request a new card. Some personal information is printed on the card; however it is unlikely that someone else could use it. It is used mostly for identification and reference by you or your dependents.
Who do I contact at Manulife in case of a medical emergency while traveling?
Call or have someone call the Manulife's 24 hour Emergency Travel Assistance Hotline within 24 hours if an emergency occurs. This number is found on the back of your Manulife Member Card. Please be sure to carry the card with you while traveling.
What is a "stable" health condition and would I be covered for travel insurance?
To be considered medically-stable under your plan, during the 90 days leading up to your departure, you/your dependent must not have:
- Been treated or tested for any new symptoms or conditions;
- Had an increase or worsening of any existing symptoms;
- Changed treatments or medications (other than normal adjustments for ongoing care);
- Been admitted to the hospital for treatment of the condition.
To be considered stable you must not have had future non-routine tests or new treatment planned for a previously identified medical condition or a future medical appointment planned with respect to an undiagnosed medical condition.
What is a Pharmacare Plan?
Some provinces have Pharmacare or other drug Plans which subsidize eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies, protecting its eligible residents from high drug costs. In some provinces Pharmacare registration is required. Manulife’s Extended Health Care plan integrates with provincial drug care plans, this means that when you get a drug filled your pharmacist will be notified if the drug you are taking is covered under any provincial drug plan. If it is covered the pharmacist will be advised to submit the claim to the provincial plan first before submitting it to the Manulife plan. You may be required to apply or register under the provincial drug plan. If the province provides partial coverage or declines coverage, Manulife will continue to pay claims for the unpaid balance, in accordance with the terms of the group benefits plan. You can login to the Manulife Provincial Drug Plans Resource Centre on the Plan Member Secure Site at www.manulife.ca/groupbenefits to find out if a drug you have been prescribed is eligible for coverage under a provincial program.
What is covered under my Provincial Health Insurance Plan?
Your Provincial Health Insurance Plan covers many basic hospital and medical expenses, as set out in the schedule of benefits in your province of residence. To inquire whether a specific expense is covered, please contact your Provincial Health Services.
How do I know for sure whether something is covered?
If you are in doubt for any reason as to your coverage or if it is a significant cost, do not assume or take someone’s word for it. (For example, orthotics, dental implants, semi-private hospital room, hearing aids, etc.) Please call Manulife at 1-800-268-6195 or get a preauthorization from Manulife who will provide you with details of what is eligible and how much will be reimbursed according to the specifics of the LCC Worker Benefit Plans insurance policies. If you have any questions, contact us.