Unifor2002 - Air Canada Jazz - New Benefits Carrier

Jazz Aviation L.P. Jazz: Line Technical Services

Air Canada Jazz - New Benefits Carrier

July 25, 2007 at 12:00 AM

New Benefits Carrier

Great-West Life

Effective September 1, 2007

We am pleased to confirm that effective September 1, 2007, your new benefit plan insurance carrier will be Great-West Life (GWL). The fact they were looking for a new carrier was outlined in the Annual Group Insurance Rate Renewal memo issued in April.

In order to have an orderly transition from Manulife (ML) to Great-West Life, this document will outline the steps taken to date and how they affect you.

Steps	Date	Participants	Action
Union Representatives Meetings	April 17	Union Reps	Explained reasons for the proposed rate increases effective April 1 and the steps that were undertaken to mitigate them
Carrier Request for Proposal	April - May	Jazz Procurement & Benefits Managers and Hewitt Consultants	Reviewed applications from insurance industry and selected 3 finalists
Conducted finalist interviews	April 24	Benefits, OHS and Procurement Managers, Director Payroll Ben & Pension and Hewitt Consultant	Interviewed the three finalists and selected Great-West Life
Advised Union Reps of decision	May 16	Manager Ben Admin	Sent memo to each Union to advise them of decision
Initial disability process set-up meeting	June 7	Reps from Jazz OHS & GWL	Developed time chart and established GWL disability office locations
Initial administration process set-up meeting	June 15	Reps from Jazz & GWL	Developed time chart, policy application details, and established GWL EHC & dental claims locations
Review of application details	June 27	GWL Rep & Jazz Mgr Ben Admin	Finalized master application – this is the basis for the Policy that governs all the insured plans.
Union Representatives Meetings	Jul 12	Mgr Ben Admin, Union Reps & L/R	Review master application & general update

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q	Why are they making this change?
A	Given the proposed increase in the life and LTD rates, it necessary to survey the market to see if there was another insurance carrier that could offer the identical services for less cost.
Q	What Plans are transferring to GWL?
A	Basic & Dependent Life, Optional Life – Employee & Spouse, EHC, Dental, STD & LTD. The Accident & Voluntary Accident Policies will remain with RBC-Dexia
Q	What will the new rates be and when will I see a reduction?
A	The rates will change effective September 1, which is our first day with GWL. This means you will see the impact on your September 25^th pay. The rates are:
	Benefit Life Ins Dependent Life LTD – Non-Pilots LTD –Pilots (*Note the .777 surcharge is not included in the rate)	Current Manulife Rate .123/1000 1.29 4.610/100 8.09/100*	GWL Rate Effective Sept. 25^th Pay .128/1000 1.34 3.239/100 7.335/100
	While the life and dependent life rates are increasing slightly, the LTD savings more than off-set their increase. The Life & LTD rates are guaranteed for a 2 year period. However, the guarantees will not apply if there are major changes in coverage or if the number of lives changes by 20%
Q	Will there be a rate change for EHC, Dental or STD
A	No, not at this time. These rates will be reviewed at the next rate renewal period and adjusted (if necessary) at that time
Q	What happens to my Optional Life (Employee and/or Spousal) coverage?
A	GWL will maintain the same rates and age bands for Optional Life as you were paying with ML. Anyone wishing to apply for this benefit or wanting to increase their existing amount, can do so by completing the GWL application and medical forms
Q	What will the Policy and Certificate numbers be?
A	The GWL Extended Health & Dental Policy # will be 57065. Your division number will remain the same and the certificate number will continue to be your 6 digit employee number
Q	Will there be any changes in the coverage you have with Manulife?
A	No, the coverage will remain identical to what we have today with Manulife
Q	What do I do with my extended health claims?
A	Continue to submit any extended health claims you have to Manulife until August 15^th. This will ensure Manulife has time to receive and process them prior to August 31^st. Claims incurred after that date will go to GWL. However, please do not submit receipts until September 1^st (Also, GWL will accept eligible claims incurred prior to the changeover date if they did not go to Manulife by August 15^th.)
Q	What do I do with my dental claims?
A	The first thing you need to do with your dental claims is notify your dentist of the upcoming change so they can adjust the electronic filing information effective September 1^st. Until then, dental claims should continue to be filed with Manulife and then changeover to GWL.
Q	What will happen to my orthodontic claim that is in progress?
A	Any orthodontic work in progress will be accepted my GWL. The lifetime maximum paid as of August 31^st will be provided to GWL in order to update their files with the amounts previously paid.
Q	What will happen with vision care claims?
A	Manulife will provide GWL with a file of claims history in order to update their files
Q	Will there wallet certificates available showing the EHC & Dental Policy number and my certificate number?
A	Yes, these can be printed directly from the GWL GroupNet website
Q	Who will pay any STD or LTD claims that are being paid today by Manulife?
A	Any ongoing STD or LTD claims, or any STD claims incurred between now and August 31^st will remain with Manulife until the claim has ended. This means that anyone on STD today would continue their STD claim and transition onto LTD with Manulife. Manulife would continue to adjudicate that claim until the person returned to work, was no longer eligible to receive benefits, or turned 65.
Q	When will GWL be responsible for STD or LTD?
A	GWL will become responsible for any disability claims for employees who begin their sick leave any time after August 31^st .
Q	Is there the same Out-of-Country coverage that we have through Manulife?
A	Yes, GWL offers Out-of-Country coverage through Global Medical assistance. Wallet certificates will be provided once we receive them. Also, you can replace your wallet certificate by printing them directly from the GroupNet website
Q	How can I contact GWL with claims questions?
A	English claims will go the Winnipeg claims office and French claims to the Montreal claims office. The contact numbers are: English claims 1-800-957-9777 and French claims 1-800-663-2817
Q	Does GWL have a website?
A	Yes, GWL has a website called GroupNet- www.gwl.ca. This site provides easy access to your claims history, claims status, pre-printed claims extended health and dental forms, wallet certificates, and many other features. This is a secure web site that satisfies the privacy law requirements. It is easy to register and will be available to you after September 1^st.
Q	Does have GWL offer EHC or Dental coverage if I was to terminate or retire
A	Yes, GWL offers benefits continuation on an individual basis upon termination or retirement the same as ML. The rates depend on your age and the coverage selected