Download MEMBER BOOKLET
Member Booklets are no longer being printed; keeping in mind of our impact on our environment, and as an efficient way to communicate to the Membership. Please Download the complete group benefit plan policy MEMBER BOOKLET.
OUR MISSION:
The Trustees of the Plumbers’ Local 170 Welfare Plan have been empowered with the responsibilities and duties of overseeing the Welfare Plan including determination of benefit coverage, managing investments, maintaining eligibility status, and any other matters of administration affecting the operation of the Plan. It is therefore the long-term goal of the Trustees to establish a Plan with the financial stability to provide benefit assistance and services to members and to establish protection for the Member and/or their family in the event of death or disability. In the shorter term, the assets of the Welfare Plan should be conservatively and prudently managed to establish adequate reserves to help offset unforeseen escalation of costs and minimize the risk of loss of assets.
It is acknowledged that the contributions are negotiated between the union and representative Association, and the result of those negotiations determines the extent of Plan funding. The Trustees have no direct control of this process.
In all instances, the “prudent person” ideal will be assumed by the Trustees to ensure maximum security of Plan Assets and to maintain appropriate benefit coverage for Plan Members.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE:
Jack Allard – Union Trustee
Jason Bulizuk – Union Trustee
A.D. Al Phillips – Union Trustee
Russel J. St Eloi – Union Trustee
Russ Davidson – Management Trustee
Jamie McKenzie – Management Trustee
Rick Musil – Management Trustee
Lisa Peterse – Plan Administrator
The Plan Administrator along with the Board of Trustees are responsible for the Welfare Fund, Professional Consultants, Investment Management Firms, and ensuring that the Welfare Fund is maintained in a financially balanced method that will provide welfare benefits for union members over the long term.
HIGHLIGHTS OF BENEFITS:
LIFE INSURANCE:
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members, Associates, Insured Retired Members (under age 75). |
| Benefit | $85,000 reducing to $20,000 at retirement or Age 75 (i.e. receiving a monthly pension). |
| Termination | Age 75 or retirement (whichever occurs first) for Associates. Age 75 for all other Insured Hour Bank Members, with exception of self-paying Hour Bank Members whose coverage ceases following 24-consecutive months of self-payment. |
| Reinstatement | Coverage will reinstate to $85,000 for Retired Members upon return to work and satisfying the plan eligibility requirements but not beyond attainment of age 75. |
| Waiver of premium | On approved disability (refer to member booklet for further details). |
ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT:
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members, Associates, Insured Retired Members (under age 75). |
| Benefit | $85,000 reducing to $20,000 at retirement or Age 75 (i.e. receiving a monthly pension). |
| Termination | Age 75 or retirement (whichever occurs first) for associates. Age 75 for all other Insured Hour Bank Members, with exception of self-paying Hour Bank Members whose coverage ceases following 24-consecutive months of self-payment. |
| Reinstatement | Coverage will reinstate to $85,000 for Retired Members upon return to work and satisfying the plan eligibility requirements but not beyond attainment of age 75. |
| Waiver of premium | On approved disability (refer to member booklet for further details). |
WEEKLY WAGE INDEMNITY (WWI):
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members, Apprentices, Probationary Apprentices, Permit Workers, and Associates. Refer to member booklet or contact the Welfare Plan Office for further details (604.526.3434). |
| Benefit period | Four weeks, then EI sickness benefits (if applicable) up to an additional 11 weeks – maximum 15 weeks (total) payable from the Welfare Plan. |
| Benefit amount | $638 per week; or 1/7 of the weekly benefit for each day that a benefit is payable. [$595/ week in year 2020] |
| Tax status | Taxable. |
| Termination age | Age 65. |
LONG-TERM DISABILITY:
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members and Apprentices (excludes Associates). Contact the Welfare Plan Office for further details (604.526.3434). |
| Benefit period | The last day of the month in which the member attains age 62, dies, ceases to receive CPP benefits, fails to participate in a rehabilitative program, or the last day of the month preceding the first day of the month in which retirement takes effect. |
| Benefit amount | 1/12 of 70 per cent of basic pre-disability hourly rate of earnings times 1,400-hours. |
| Direct offsets | Disability payments under the Pension Plan or any other employer sponsored Pension Plan; any employer-sponsored disability plan and any provincial or federal government program to which an employer directly contributes, including but not limited to EI, CPP and WCB disability benefits. |
| Tax status | Taxable. |
| Definition of disability | Upon approval of CPP disability benefits. |
| All-source limitation | 85 per cent of average of best three consecutive years of earnings. |
| Rehabilitation | Yes. Reimbursement and offset determined by the Trustees. |
MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN (MSP):
The Canadian Government Medical Services Plan (MSP) Premium ELIMINATED January 01, 2020.
| MSP premium ELIMINATED Jan. 01, 2020 |
Medical Services Plan (BC MSP) Premium ELIMINATION January 01, 2020: Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums have been eliminated effective January 01, 2020. For more information, visit the Canadian Government Medical Services Plan website, click here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/msp-premium-elimination-jan-1-2020 |
EXTENDED HEALTHCARE (EHB):
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members, Associates, Insured Retired Members (under age 75), Survivors, eligible Disabled Members, and Special Senior Members (age 65 and over). |
| Reimbursement | 100% for certain benefits as noted.
95% of eligible prescription drugs and diabetic supplies listed on the provincial BC Formulary up to $1,500 per family unless proof of a higher B.C. Fair Pharmacare Program deductible is provided. 80% of all other eligible expenses up to $1,000 and 100 per cent of other eligible expenses exceeding $1,000 per person or family in a calendar year. Special Senior Members age 65 and over (excludes Associates) are eligible for 100% reimbursement of all eligible expenses subject to their plan maximum ($1,200/calendar year). |
| Plan maximum | Lifetime maximum to $1-million per person subject to applicable treatment and travel medical emergency maximums.
Special Senior Members (age 65+) are limited to $1,200 per family per calendar year (inclusive of dental treatment, and proof of payment for private health premiums that do not include life insurance) subject to a lifetime maximum of $25,000 per person, plus up to $50 per calendar year for Special Senior Members for prostate testing. |
| Termination | Hour Bank Members later of age 75 or expiry of Hour Bank. All others earlier of age 75 or expiry of Hour Bank/Self-Pay period/defined eligibility.
Examples of defined eligibility: Retired Members may transition to Special Senior Member category following attainment of age 65. |
| Ambulance Services | Reasonable and customary charges for emergency services and/or response. |
| Vaccines | $250 per person per calendar year for preventative vaccines dispensed by a licensed pharmacist or physician within Canada. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31). |
| Injection Administration Fees | $100 per person per calendar year (calendar year is January 01 to December 31). |
| Prolotherapy (see restriction) | $200 per person per calendar year prescribed only for ligament, tendon, or muscle repair. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31). |
| Foldable intraocular lens implants | Lifetime maximum of $1,000 per person in excess of the provincial health care plan. |
| Smoking cessation drugs / products. (see reimbursement requirement). |
Lifetime maximum of $500 per person subject to official receipt. Smoking Cessation products such as Zyban, nicotin patches & gum, acupuncture require official receipts for reimbursement(s). Cash register receipts will not be accepted; official receipts must detail patient name, purchase date, and item amount and description. |
| Fertility Drugs & Treatment | Lifetime maximum up to $5,000 per person. |
| Botox (see restriction) | $200 per person per calendar year prescribed only for migraine or hyperhidrosis. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31). |
| Diagnostic tests (inclusive of PSA, etc.) |
Maximum $100 per calendar year per active Member. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31). |
| Paramedical Services $700 per practitioner maximum per calendar year |
$700 per person per calendar year per practitioner maximum: (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31) *Chiropractor (inclusive of X-rays); *Massage Therapist (must have Registered Therapist Number on receipt for reimbursement); *Naturopath; *Physiotherapist (including athletic therapy); *Podiatrist; *Acupuncturist; *Speech Language Pathologist.EXCLUSION: OSTEOPATH treatments are not covered under Extended Health Benefits (EHB) OR Healthcare Spending Account (H.S.A.) |
| Psychologists (Family & Marriage Counsellors, etc.) |
Up to $1,500 per person per calendar year. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31). |
| Custom Ear Plugs | $500 every 5-years per person as prescribed by a physician.
|
| Hearing Aids & Repairs | $2,000 every 5-years per person as prescribed by a physician. |
| Pediatric Ear Molds | $300 per child (age 6-18) per calendar year as prescribed by a physician. |
| Medical bracelets (see reimbursement requirements) |
Subject to medical necessity maximum of $50 per person per calendar year. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31) Cash register receipts will not be accepted; official receipts must detail patient name, purchase date, and item amount and description. |
| Vision Care Benefit EYE EXAMINATION Reimbursement through Welfare Plan Office 604.526.3434 |
EYE EXAMINATION: Subject to a maximum of $100 every calendar year (see restrictions below) Eye examination must be performed by a Physician or Optometrist for Covered Member and their eligible Dependents; charges in excess of Insured’s Provincial Plan. (Calendar year is January 01 to December 31). ADDITIONAL Eye Examination for specific medical conditions: Additional eye exam for specific medical conditions up to $100 per person per calendar year. Calendar year is January 01 to December 31. |
| Vision Care Benefit Reimbursement through Welfare Plan Office 604.526.3434 |
PRESCRIPTIVE CORRECTIVE LENSES: Subject to a maximum of $700 every 24-months, no deductible. LASER EYE SURGERY: Subject to lifetime maximum of $3,000. VISUAL TRAINING THERAPY: Subject to lifetime maximum of $1,000 per person. Prescribed Corrective CONTACT LENSES for SEVERE MEDICAL CONDITIONS: |
| Drugs | Prescribed drugs (excluding oral contraceptives and nicotine patch) and diabetic supplies. Drug coverage is restricted to those listed on the provincial (BC) formulary being reimbursed up to $1,500 per family, unless proof of a higher B.C. Fair Pharmacare Program deductible is provided. EHC deductible is not applicable. Special seniors and dependants remain at 100 per cent subject to applicable maximum. |
| In-province expenses | Once $1,000 has been paid in a calendar year, further eligible expenses will be reimbursed at 100 per cent, subject to maximums in contract |
| Hospital room and board | Semi-private or private. [80% coverage] |
| Surgical Brassieres | $500 per calendar year. [80% coverage] |
TRAVEL MEDICAL EMERGENCY INSURANCE:
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members, Associates, Insured Retired Members (under age 70), eligible Disabled Members, and Survivors (Special Senior Members excluded) . |
Travel Medical Insurance – ACTIVE HOUR BANK INSURED MEMBERS (Working or Self-Payments):
| Overall maximum | $5 million per coverage period. |
| Coverage period | 60-days per trip. |
| Termination age | Later of age 70 or expiry of Hour Bank account (plus self-pay) but not beyond age 70. |
| Pre-existing condition | Not applicable. |
Travel Medical Insurance – SURVIVORS:
| Overall maximum | $5-million per coverage period. |
| Coverage period | 60-days per trip. |
| Termination age | Earlier of age 70 or 24-months from Member’s date of death. |
| Pre-existing condition | $25,000 lifetime maximum for pre-existing condition. |
Travel Medical Insurance – ASSOCIATES:
| Overall maximum | $5-million per coverage period. |
| Coverage period | 60-days per trip. |
| Termination age | Earlier of age 70 or 3-months following last contribution received. |
| Pre-existing condition | Not applicable. |
Travel Medical Insurance – INSURED RETIRED MEMBERS (under age 70):
| Overall maximum | $5-million per coverage period. |
| Coverage period | 60-days per trip. |
| Termination age | Earlier of age 70 or expiry of Hour Bank. Note: not allowed to self-pay after age 70. |
| Pre-existing condition | $25,000 lifetime maximum for pre-existing condition. |
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
| No Longer in Effect (Sept.01, 2019) |
Effective September 01, 2019 the Welfare Plan no longer has the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP); as the UA Canada National Wellness Program has taken effect September 01, 2019 through Morneau Shepell called the Member Assistance Program (MAP).
Click here for Letter from UA Canada: UA Canadian Parental Wellness Program, Maternity And Parental EI Assistance Benefits. Click here for BROCHURE: Member Assistance Program (MAP) provided by the UA Canada National Wellness Program. |
HEALTHCARE SPENDING ACCOUNT (H.S.A):
| Eligibility | Insured Retired Members (under age 70) as of July 01, 2021. |
| Reimbursement | 100% of eligible expenses limited to H.S.A. account balance. For H.S.A. balance Inquiry, please contact the Welfare Plan Office (604-526-3434). The H.S.A. benefit is in accordance with allowable medical expense/services within Section118.2(2) within the Canadian Income Tax Act and Regulation 5700 under a private services plan. Please note a list of eligible medical expense is available via the CRA website at: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/medical/#mdcl_xpns |
| Termination | Termination of membership OR any break in active insured coverage, or up until June 30, 2022. |
DENTAL CARE:
| Eligibility | All Hour Bank Insured Members, Associates, Insured Retired Members (under age 75), eligible Disabled Members, Survivors. (Special Senior Members age 65 and over noting subject to Special Senior Member (SSM) Benefit $900 per family per calendar year max). |
| Deductible | No deductible. |
| Provincial fee schedule | Current basis, on the date services performed and subject to your province of residence. |
| Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic services | Major restorative services | Orthodontics | |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 80% | 50% |
| Dependant children only | 100% | 80% | 50% |
| Frequency plan limits | Each calendar year | Each calendar year | Lifetime |
| Financial limit per dependant child | $3,500 combined with Plan B | $3,500 combined with Plan A | $5,000 |
| Financial limit per member or spouse | $3,500 combined with Plan B | $3,500 combined with Plan A | $5,000 |