Unit 1 – UTAs, GTAs & GSA1

Vision Care Plan

During a previous round of negotiations with the employer, CUPE 3913 secured a health benefit package. Through the guidance of the membership, these monies were used to create a Vision Care benefit.

In fact the funds for the Vision Care plan ran out in the 2005 – 2006 academic year. We again asked the univesity to put some money into the fund until the Collective Agreement was renegotiated. They refused. The Union Executive, as a stop-gap measure, lent money to the plan to cover those members who had submitted claims.

After a long round of bargaining, the Union won an important increase for the Vision Care fund. The fund was once again topped up. At the last round of negotiations, we managed to once again secure an increase in the Benefits Fund so we could continue accepting Vision Care claims.

You are now eligible for $200.00 every 12 months (from the date of your last claim) – spouses and dependents are also eligible.

This is a supplemental (top-up) plan, so you must claim with the CSA/GSA Student Benefit Plan (Great West Life) and/or any other plan you may be covered under first before claiming under the Union Plan.  Original receipts are needed to use the Union Plan, so if you have used your original receipts for your other plan, the ‘Explanation of Benefits’ that comes with your cheque will count as the original receipt for us.

Click here for the Vision Care Claim Form (this form can be filled out on-screen and printed to bring into the office).

Supplementary Medical Emergency Fund

This new benefit is designed to assist a member who has a catastrophic health expense that is over and above their coverage under the GSA/CSA (Great West Life) plan. The maximum benefit is $5,000 . Claims are submitted to the third party administrator (The Prosure Group), if the administrator denies a claim it can be appealed the Executive of the Local (without any names attached).

Click here for the Supplementary Medical Emergency Fund Claim Form (this form can be filled out on-screen and printed to bring into the office).

Unit 2 – Sessional Lecturers

Medical/Dental Benefits

$800.00 every 12 months – spouses and dependents also eligible, at $800 each. Your benefit period depends on the semester you make your first claim:
-Claim between January 1st and April 30th – Benefits year runs from January 1st to December 31st
-Claim between May 1st and August 31st – Benefits year runs from May 1st to April 30th
-Claim between September 1st and December 31st – Benefits year runs from September 1st to August 30th

Click here for the Medical/Dental Benefits Claim Form (this form can be filled out on-screen and printed to bring into the office)

Supplementary Medical Emergency Fund

This new benefit is designed to assist a member who has a catastrophic health expense that is over and above the $800 maximum on their Medical/Dental Benefits Account (outlined above). The maximum benefit is $ 5,000. Claims are submitted to the third-party administrator (The Prosure Group), if the administrator denies a claim it can be appealed to the Executive of the Local (without any names attached).

Click here for the Supplementary Medical Emergency Fund Claim Form (this form can be filled out on-screen and printed to bring into the office)

Emergency Out-Of-Province Coverage

Provided through AVIATOR, this coverage provides worldwide emergency medical coverage. Wallet cards with the emergency 800 number will be coming out in July for all members. You no longer have to purchase out-of-province medical coverage when you leave Ontario for each trip of 30 days or less! Coverage runs from June 1 to May 31 each year. If you are a member in good standing during this period, you have the protection for the term. Family coverage may be added at a cost of $2.85 per month, paid annually in advance, pro rated until April 30th (during the 1st 3 weeks of each semester).

Booklets and wallet cards for this plan are available in the office.

Accidental Weekly Indemnity/Accidental Death and Dismemberment

AXA Assurance is providing $500 per week until the earliest of recovery, death or 52 weeks in the event a member is disabled and unable to perform their duties as a result of an accident. If the accident results in death or loss of use of limbs, up to $50,000 is payable. In the event paralysis results from the accident, up to $100,000 is payable. If the accident causes total and permanent disability an additional amount, up to $50,000 is payable (less any amount paid under the A.D.&D. portion of the coverage).

More information is available in the office.

Professional Development

Sessionals are eligible for $300 a semester to cover expenses related to their Sessional Appointment. Claim forms must be signed by the Chair of the Department and are submitted to the Office of Faculty and Staff Relations Relations on the 4th floor of the University Centre.

Changes to the Claim Schedule
After the last round of negotiations, it was agreed that there will be an increase in the total amount in the Fund, and changes to the timelines for application and disbursement would be implemented as follows:
Claims submitted for Fall 2011 will be processed in January 2012. The deadline for this semester (Winter 2012) is June 29 and reimbursement cheques will be distributed in July. For those of you who will be teaching in the Spring semester, the deadlines are EITHER June 29, 2012 OR January 11, 2013.

Under the new system, half of the available funds for each year will be disbursed to Sessionals who file claims by the January deadline, and the second half will be disbursed to Sessionals who claim by the June deadline.  Bi-annually, available funds will be divided equally amongst the claimants, up to a maximum of $300.00 per person in each semester. Reimbursement cheques will be mailed to the claimant’s department.  Sessionals who submit eligible claims in excess of $300.00, or claims that are not fully reimbursed, may carry forward excess amounts to be reimbursed in future semesters in which they hold Sessional Appointments. Sessionals who wish to carry forward a claim into a subsequent semester must notify the office of Faculty and Staff Relations prior to the relevant semester’s application deadline.

To download a copy of the PDR Form CLICK HERE:  Professional Development Reimbursement Form (Sep’11)
Additional information is available at the CUPE office.