Health Benefits

The Extended Health Plan

The extended health plan covers 80% of the following expenses: prescribed drugs, emergency dental treatment, and medical supplies and services. It also includes coverage for the following paramedical expenditures:

• chiropractor, naturopath, osteopath and podiatrist to a maximum of $400 per practitioner per covered person per calendar year; 
• physiotherapist, speech therapist, and massage therapist (with medical referral), to a maximum of $400 per practitioner for each covered person per calendar year;
• psychologist (with medical referral), 50% per visit up to a maximum of $1,000 for each covered person per calendar year;
• vision examination to a maximum of $80 per covered person every two years and vision care (prescription glasses and contact lenses) to a maximum of $250 for each covered person once every two years;
• hearing aids to a maximum of $2,000 over five (5) years; and,
• 100% hospital coverage.

Optional insurance coverage

The optional insurance plans include optional life for you, your spouse and your children, optional dental (includes major services and orthodontic services), and accidental death and dismemberment.

The long-term disability insurance program

Long-term disability benefits are issued for as long as you are considered totally or partially disabled until you recover, reach age 65, or die, whichever occurs first.  

There are three long-term disability plan options, the bronze option, which is paid for by the Employer will cover 60% of your pre-disability salary, to a maximum of $8,500 per month, with an annual cost of living adjustment.

The silver and gold long-term disability plan options require additional top-up payment by the member.  

Terms of the long-term disability program are explained in Section 40.2 of the Collective Agreement. For more information on the three long-term disability insurance plans, please consult the University’s website.

Health Care Spending Account

The health care spending account (HCSA) benefit is detailed in article 40.12 of the collective agreement and on the University of Ottawa website. It is a personal account opened in your name at Manulife into which the Employer deposits $282 each year (this amount is subject to annual economic increases). Any unused HCSA balance can be carried over for one year only.

If you choose to opt-out of your health and dental insurance because of other insurance coverage, additional HCSA dollars will be deposited in your Manulife account for the amounts of $864 and $243 respectively. 

The HCSA can help cover out-of-pocket health and dental expenses, including balances owed following your existing 80% health and dental coverage. 

To find out more information about your HCSA balance, deadlines for use, or to find out more information on how to submit a reimbursement claim, log onto your Manulife account. 

Employee and Family Assistance Program

The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offers you and your family members help to resolve personal, social, and financial problems confidentially. The cost of the program is paid by the University and covers a total of seven sessions per year per family unit.

Information about this program is available on the University of Ottawa website and the Employee Assistance Program website run by Morneau Sheppell, the program provider. This benefit is not specified in the collective agreement.