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BPG Inc. Dental Plan FAQ | |
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WHO
IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PLAN? To qualify for this plan you
must (A) be a member of the Bell Pensioners' Group Inc., (B) be a resident
in a province where the plan is available and (C) have retired prior to
July 2000 for Plan "A" or after July 2000 for Plan "B".
You may still be actively employed elsewhere. HAT
COVERAGE DOES THIS PLAN OFFER? This plan offers the same coverage
as your Bell plan. You may enroll once you are
a member of the Bell Pensioners' Group Inc. HOW LONG
DO I HAVE TO BE ON THE PLAN? You are making a minimum commitment
of one year. If you wish to terminate coverage after that you must provide
30 days written notice to RMS Retirement Management Services You
may not rejoin the plan for three years from the termination date. IS
THIS PLAN SPONSORED BY MY FORMER EMPLOYER? No. It is a private plan. The plan is administered by
RMS Retirement Management Services which is a member of the Esquimalt
Chamber of Commerce in Victoria B.C. Green Shield Canada is a not
for profit corporation which began in 1957 in Windsor ON. They handle
the claims part of the plan. WHO
DO I CONTACT ABOUT THIS PLAN? For enrollment, banking, address
and plan changes, or to find out more about this plan, only contact the
plan administrator, RMS Retirement Management Services Do not contact
Bell or BPG. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT Green Shield Canada until you are a
member of the plan. They will be unable to answer your questions until
that time. Premiums are paid monthly by
pre-authourized cheque from your bank account. Plan rates and coverage
are reviewed each year and may be changed June 1st. for all members, regardless
of how long they have been on the plan. Annual payments are not possible
at this time due to administrative reasons. It is hoped that this option
may be available in the future. You will be notified if annual payments
become possible. ARE
MY PREMIUMS TAX DEDUCTIBLE? The premiums for this plan
are an eligible medical expense on your income tax. You may be able to
claim them. Coverage starts on the first of the month you request but is subject to written confirmation from Green Shield Canada. HOW DO
I CLAIM FOR MY DENTAL BILLS? You pay your dentist directly
and claim from Green Shield Canada or have Green Shield pay him/her directly
and then pay the difference. The dentist will provide the Standard Dental
Claim Form needed. HOW
DO I CLAIM FROM BOTH MY PRESENT BELL PLAN AND THIS PLAN? You claim from your Bell plan
first by following the same procedure as you have in the past. When you
have been paid from that plan, you forward a copy of what you were paid
and another claim form for the original amount to Green Shield Canada. Payment is based on the
current dental fee guide for each province for both plans. Plan "A":
Yes. The annual deductible is $25.00 per person or $50.00 per family per
calendar year. It only applies to the major dental portion of the plan.
The basic services portion of the plan does not have a deductible. AM I
COVERED IF THE WORK IS DONE OUT OF CANADA OR IN ANOTHER PROVINCE? Yes. For snowbirds and other travelers, any eligible dental work done outside of Canada or your province of residence is covered. You must provide a detailed description of the work done as well as receipts for any bills paid. They are then submitted in the regular way to Green Shield Canada. You are reimbursed for this work according to the rate for your province of residence to a maximum of 100% of your costs. WHAT
DOES PRE-DETERMINATION MEAN? When the cost of dental work
is expected to exceed $300.00 for Plan "A" or
$500.00 for Plan "B" on one claim you must have
your dentist ask for pre-approval from Green Shield Canada before work
begins. Please refer to the plan benefits for details. This does NOT mean
your coverage is limited to this amount. There is NO OVERALL LIMIT on
the amount you may claim for basic services. It just helps to give you
and your dental services provider an idea of what will be covered under
your plan. WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUPLE, AND FAMILY COVERAGE? "COUPLE" under this
plan means two persons who are a married couple, a common law couple,
or a single parent and one eligible child. "FAMILY" means the
eligible plan member and two or more eligible persons. Plan "A":
There is coverage for major dental work such as crowns, bridges, and new
dentures for 30% up to $1000 per year under the major dental services
portion of the plan. Orthodontics are NOT covered. DOES
THIS PLAN COVER DENTURISTS? Yes, but not all services provided
by denturists. Please check the plan benefits for details. CAN MY
SPOUSE BE THE ONLY ONE ON THE PLAN? Yes, as long as the BPG member
has full coverage under another plan such as from a current employer,
(not just the Bell plan). CAN
MY DEPENDENT CHILDREN BE COVERED? Yes, to the end of the year following their 18th birthday, or to the end of the year following their 25th birthday if enrolled in full-time attendance at a college, university, or institute of higher learning. I
AM THE PENSIONER, CAN I BE ON THE PLAN BY MYSELF WITHOUT COVERING MY SPOUSE
OR DEPENDENTS? Yes. CAN
I ADD MY SPOUSE OR ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS LATER? Yes, you may do this each year on June 1st, July 1st, or Aug. 1st. DOES MY SPOUSE HAVE SURVIVOR BENEFITS? Yes. If you are the widow or
widower of a Bell Pensioner Group Inc. member you may continue the coverage
as long as you remain a member of BPG Inc even if the Bell (Manulife)
plan stops. ARE
THERE ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS? Yes. Showing your Green Shield card will allow you to receive a discount of 33% off the regular prices at "The Bay Optical", "Zellers Vision Centre" and up to 30% for "Sears Optical" stores for most purchases. You also have online access to your personal dental file at GreenShield. |
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