A Union Making a Difference!
Did You Know . . . Your dental plan allows for: •
1 complete dental examination every 36 months
•
1 recall or specific dental examination every 9 months
•
4 bitewing x-rays in any 18-month period
•
1 complete series of x-rays or 1 panorex every 36 months
Make sure that your dentist is aware of your plan limits before you have any work done!
Managing your disability Average number of absence days from work has increased from 7.5 days per year in 2004 to 7.9 days per year in 2008. Direct cost of disability and absenteeism have an impact on payroll and benefit costs, however, these costs can be reduced by up to 20 percent if employees and employers focus on disability management.
SUN LIFE Telephone: 1–800–661–7334 www.sunlife.ca/member GREAT-WEST LIFE (RRSP Program) Telephone: 1–800–724–3402 www.grsaccess.com
Front cover
spring newsletter june 2010 www.clac.ca
A Union Making a Difference! Protecting Your Privacy– CLAC ID Number To help protect your privacy, we will be changing your member ID number at Sun Life so that it is no longer based on your social insurance number. The ID number that will be used is your CLAC member ID number, which you can find on your CLAC membership card or Advantage Program card. This change at Sun Life is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2010. Provided your coverage is in place at that time, you will receive notification of the change, as well as a new
If you are receiving disability benefits, we encourage you to keep in touch with your employer and with Sun Life to make sure your case is managed properly, and to take advantage of return-to-work programs that might be available.
CLAC BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 14920 118 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5V 1B8 Telephone: 780–454–6181 Toll Free: 1–888–600–2522 Facsimile: 780–454–6180 [email protected]
benefit report
CERIDIAN LIFEWORKS Telephone: 1–866–714–3129 www.lifeworks.com
On your group RSP statement: You can find your new certificate number at the bottom of your statement.
This change did not affect your internet log-in ID or password for the GWL website.
We are excited about these changes as protection of your personal information has always been very important to CLAC. If you have questions, please contact the CLAC Western Benefit Administration office at 1–888–600–2522.
pay-direct drug card mailed to your home. It is very important that you take this new number to your dentist and pharmacy so that they can continue to send your charges through to Sun Life for payment. If you participate in the CLAC Group RSP plan with Great West Life, you should have already received notification that the switch from social insurance number to CLAC member ID number was done for the RSP program also.
Generic Drug Costs In a previous issue of this newsletter, we discussed what generic drugs are all about, and how the use of generic drugs can help to keep plan costs down. As a reminder, a generic drug is a copy that is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance, and intended use. However, they are generally much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts since they are produced by
manufacturers that don’t have the same investment costs as the developer of a new drug. Most new drugs are protected by patents, but once the patent expires, manufacturers can apply to the FDA to produce and sell generic versions. Many provinces are starting to regulate the price of generic drugs since many are of the opinion that generic drugs are selling at a higher retail price than they should. Examples include:
1. Alberta – under the province’s new pharmaceutical plan, prices will be reduced to 45 percent of brandname drug prices for all new generics, down from the current 75 percent people pay. This took effect in April 2010. 2. Ontario – on April 7, 2010, the Ontario government announced its comprehensive drug system reform, which includes lowering the cost of generic drugs and making Ontario’s drug system more accountable. These types of legislation hopefully will result in cost savings to group benefit plans. Remember that the CLAC benefit plan currently has generic substitution, which means that you will be covered for the lowest priced equivalent generic product, unless your doctor specifies in writing that no substitutions for the prescribed drug may be made.
CLAC PLAN FACTS 1. Approximately 650 people are set up for direct deposit with Sun Life for claims payment. 2. Approximately 1,500 people are registered for the Sun Life member services site. 3. Approximately 1,200 visits are made each month to the Sun Life member services site. 4. Over 8,000 requests were made to the Sun Life customer care centre from January to March 2010.
“Sign up to Sun” From May 3 to June 27, 2010, Sun Life will be running a contest to encourage plan members to register for direct deposit and paperless claim statements on its Plan Member Services website. When plan members provide their bank information and email address on the website, they will be entered automatically into a random draw to win one of 20 $1,000 Jump Cards, redeemable at over 250 retailers, restaurants, and travel service providers across Canada. Call Sun Life at 1–800–661–7334 for more information.
What plan members have said . . . • Many members are unaware of the Sun Life website. • Those who use the member site frequently are more satisfied with their plan. • They find direct deposit and paperless statements make claiming easier and faster. • They appreciate the environmental benefits of going paperless.
Ceridian—Your Employee Family Assistance Program
LifeWorks Can Help You and Your Family We would like to remind you that CLAC introduced Ceridian LifeWorks as your new employee family assistance program provider effective January 1, 2010. LifeWorks offers short term, solution-focused counselling and support to help you and your family manage and resolve personal or work-related issues. If life’s trials have been causing you anxiety, maybe it’s time to get the support and guidance you need through Ceridian’s LifeWorks program.
LifeWorks is available 24/7
Rest assured that all information you provide to LifeWorks will be kept strictly confidential. Whether you have a simple question or a complex problem, LifeWorks can help you with almost any issue, including: Parenting and Child Care Communication, discipline, adoption, single parenting
Health and Wellness Medical information, work-life balance, fitness, nutrition
Older Adults Health/financial information, support and caregiving
Financial Budgeting, credit and debt control
Education College and university information, general education
Everyday Issues Pet care, home improvements, community resources
Legal Legal advice, buying or selling a house, estate planning
Managing People Management skills, managing employee problems, promoting a safe workplace
Midlife & Retirement Mid-life health, planning for retirement, making the transition to retirement
Work Career development, job stress, productivity, relationships
Emotional Wellbeing Relationships, stress, depression, personal growth, grief and loss
Addiction and Recovery Alcohol, drugs, gambling
Simply call toll free to speak with a caring, professional LifeWorks consultant at 1–866–714–3129. Or visit www.lifeworks.com (User ID: CLAC Password: Wellness ) to access articles, audio recordings, booklets, podcasts, e-training, and other resources.
1 complete dental examination every 36 months
•
1 recall or specific dental examination every 9 months
•
4 bitewing x-rays in any 18-month period
•
1 complete series of x-rays or 1 panorex every 36 months
Make sure that your dentist is aware of your plan limits before you have any work done!
Managing your disability Average number of absence days from work has increased from 7.5 days per year in 2004 to 7.9 days per year in 2008. Direct cost of disability and absenteeism have an impact on payroll and benefit costs, however, these costs can be reduced by up to 20 percent if employees and employers focus on disability management.
SUN LIFE Telephone: 1–800–661–7334 www.sunlife.ca/member GREAT-WEST LIFE (RRSP Program) Telephone: 1–800–724–3402 www.grsaccess.com
Front cover
spring newsletter june 2010 www.clac.ca
A Union Making a Difference! Protecting Your Privacy– CLAC ID Number To help protect your privacy, we will be changing your member ID number at Sun Life so that it is no longer based on your social insurance number. The ID number that will be used is your CLAC member ID number, which you can find on your CLAC membership card or Advantage Program card. This change at Sun Life is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2010. Provided your coverage is in place at that time, you will receive notification of the change, as well as a new
If you are receiving disability benefits, we encourage you to keep in touch with your employer and with Sun Life to make sure your case is managed properly, and to take advantage of return-to-work programs that might be available.
CLAC BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 14920 118 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5V 1B8 Telephone: 780–454–6181 Toll Free: 1–888–600–2522 Facsimile: 780–454–6180 [email protected]
benefit report
CERIDIAN LIFEWORKS Telephone: 1–866–714–3129 www.lifeworks.com
On your group RSP statement: You can find your new certificate number at the bottom of your statement.
This change did not affect your internet log-in ID or password for the GWL website.
We are excited about these changes as protection of your personal information has always been very important to CLAC. If you have questions, please contact the CLAC Western Benefit Administration office at 1–888–600–2522.
pay-direct drug card mailed to your home. It is very important that you take this new number to your dentist and pharmacy so that they can continue to send your charges through to Sun Life for payment. If you participate in the CLAC Group RSP plan with Great West Life, you should have already received notification that the switch from social insurance number to CLAC member ID number was done for the RSP program also.
Generic Drug Costs In a previous issue of this newsletter, we discussed what generic drugs are all about, and how the use of generic drugs can help to keep plan costs down. As a reminder, a generic drug is a copy that is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance, and intended use. However, they are generally much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts since they are produced by
manufacturers that don’t have the same investment costs as the developer of a new drug. Most new drugs are protected by patents, but once the patent expires, manufacturers can apply to the FDA to produce and sell generic versions. Many provinces are starting to regulate the price of generic drugs since many are of the opinion that generic drugs are selling at a higher retail price than they should. Examples include:
1. Alberta – under the province’s new pharmaceutical plan, prices will be reduced to 45 percent of brandname drug prices for all new generics, down from the current 75 percent people pay. This took effect in April 2010. 2. Ontario – on April 7, 2010, the Ontario government announced its comprehensive drug system reform, which includes lowering the cost of generic drugs and making Ontario’s drug system more accountable. These types of legislation hopefully will result in cost savings to group benefit plans. Remember that the CLAC benefit plan currently has generic substitution, which means that you will be covered for the lowest priced equivalent generic product, unless your doctor specifies in writing that no substitutions for the prescribed drug may be made.
CLAC PLAN FACTS 1. Approximately 650 people are set up for direct deposit with Sun Life for claims payment. 2. Approximately 1,500 people are registered for the Sun Life member services site. 3. Approximately 1,200 visits are made each month to the Sun Life member services site. 4. Over 8,000 requests were made to the Sun Life customer care centre from January to March 2010.
“Sign up to Sun” From May 3 to June 27, 2010, Sun Life will be running a contest to encourage plan members to register for direct deposit and paperless claim statements on its Plan Member Services website. When plan members provide their bank information and email address on the website, they will be entered automatically into a random draw to win one of 20 $1,000 Jump Cards, redeemable at over 250 retailers, restaurants, and travel service providers across Canada. Call Sun Life at 1–800–661–7334 for more information.
What plan members have said . . . • Many members are unaware of the Sun Life website. • Those who use the member site frequently are more satisfied with their plan. • They find direct deposit and paperless statements make claiming easier and faster. • They appreciate the environmental benefits of going paperless.
Ceridian—Your Employee Family Assistance Program
LifeWorks Can Help You and Your Family We would like to remind you that CLAC introduced Ceridian LifeWorks as your new employee family assistance program provider effective January 1, 2010. LifeWorks offers short term, solution-focused counselling and support to help you and your family manage and resolve personal or work-related issues. If life’s trials have been causing you anxiety, maybe it’s time to get the support and guidance you need through Ceridian’s LifeWorks program.
LifeWorks is available 24/7
Rest assured that all information you provide to LifeWorks will be kept strictly confidential. Whether you have a simple question or a complex problem, LifeWorks can help you with almost any issue, including: Parenting and Child Care Communication, discipline, adoption, single parenting
Health and Wellness Medical information, work-life balance, fitness, nutrition
Older Adults Health/financial information, support and caregiving
Financial Budgeting, credit and debt control
Education College and university information, general education
Everyday Issues Pet care, home improvements, community resources
Legal Legal advice, buying or selling a house, estate planning
Managing People Management skills, managing employee problems, promoting a safe workplace
Midlife & Retirement Mid-life health, planning for retirement, making the transition to retirement
Work Career development, job stress, productivity, relationships
Emotional Wellbeing Relationships, stress, depression, personal growth, grief and loss
Addiction and Recovery Alcohol, drugs, gambling
Simply call toll free to speak with a caring, professional LifeWorks consultant at 1–866–714–3129. Or visit www.lifeworks.com (User ID: CLAC Password: Wellness ) to access articles, audio recordings, booklets, podcasts, e-training, and other resources.
