COVID-19: Group Health & Dental Benefits

We are living through one of the worst economic, social and health challenges in recent memory and many of our clients are facing financial challenges. Employee health has never been more important and we want to help our client’s maintain their group benefit protection for their employees. Several insurance carriers have taken the initiative to help businesses be able to maintain their benefit coverage.

We understand that you may have many questions, which is why we’ve put together a series of FAQs to provide some quick insight on topics and issues that may affect you.

As a business, we are having trouble paying our group benefit premium. Is there they any recourse?

Flexibility on premium payments: small businesses may have difficulty paying their premiums within the 31 day timeframe and for those who cannot most carriers will continue the contract. Some carriers are allowing a 60 day deferral of premium payments.

Our plan group benefit planning is up for renewal. What do we do?

Renewal Deferral: if your plan is up for renewal some carriers are deferring renewal for up to two months and beyond with no retroactive adjustments.

Health care practitioners are offering virtual appointments. Are virtual appointments covered by my plan?

Virtual appointments are being considered an eligible expense by many insurance carriers provided the health care practitioner is :

  • licensed and registered in the province in which they are practicing,
  • has an eligible qualification as determined by Manulife, and;
  • is practicing within the guidelines of their governing body.

Any practitioner offering virtual care must first be licensed by their college or governing body. The college/association or governing body and the practitioner’s scope of practice must permit virtual appointments for the service being claimed.

Please keep in mind that not all carriers are implementing these strategies and it is important to discuss your applicable situation with your benefit broker. If you have questions regarding your group benefit plan, please contact our office.

Your questions, answered. We’ve got you covered. Read more about our other FAQs.