Benefits

As a member of LRTA you are entitled to a number of benefits. Listed below are some of the links to specific information for teachers in Louis Riel. You can also visit sites through the Manitoba Teachers' Society at www.mbteach.org/health-benefits/group-benefits.html
Note - These documents and summaries are provided for your convenience. In the event of any difference between the terms in the documents and those of the Agreement, the terms of the Group Agreement shall prevail.

Blue Cross Dental Benefits - Group #4597

Blue Cross dental coverage is compulsory for all contract teachers.  New employees become eligible for benefits immediately (providing an application has been received.)  This monthly premium is in pre-tax dollars.  To opt out of the Blue Cross dental plan, the employee must complete the Waiver of Benefits – Dental Plan form and provide proof of spousal coverage.  If an application or proof of spousal coverage is not received, the employee will be deducted the monthly premiums through payroll.
Dental benefits are subject to a maximum of $1500 per person per calendar year. You will be reimbursed 80% for  “Basic” and “Major” dental services and 50% for Orthodontics for dependent children under 19 years of age.
 
Effective September 1, 2009 the Louis Riel Dental rates are:
     Single $31.95
     Couple $66.86
     Family $102.75

Teachers working less than 30% contract time are not eligible for this plan.

Teachers signed to a Schedule B Term contract are only eligible if their contract is for 60 consecutive teaching days or more in the school year.

Blue Cross Extended Health Benefits – Group #7133

Blue Cross extended health coverage is compulsory for all contract teachers working 30% or more.  New employees become eligible for benefits immediately (providing an application has been received.)  The employee pays the monthly premium. To opt out of the Blue Cross extended health plan, the employee must complete the Waiver of Benefits – Extend Health Plan form and provide proof of spousal coverage. If an application or proof of spousal coverage is not received, the employee will still be deducted the monthly premiums through payroll.
Coverage is optional for employees working less than 30% full-time and will only be deducted through payroll if an application has been received.
You will be reimbursed 80% of eligible expenses not covered by your provincial health plan.

As of January, 2008 the premium is:
 Single $45.25
Couple/Family $90.50

As of January 1, 2009 the premium is
Single $47.85
Couple/Family $95.70

Ambulance Service - Full coverage within the province.

Prescription Drugs - You will be notified to register with Pharmacare when your incurred costs for drugs or medicines have reached $1000 per contract during the Pharmacare year. If proof of registration is not received, payment of charges for drugs will be suspended once the incurred costs reach $1500 per contract during that Pharmacare year until proof of registration with Pharmacare is received. The same applies for dependent children with the exception of the drug maximum being $100 with the suspension occurring at a $200 maximum

Unlimited Travel Health Benefits - coverage provided while traveling on vacation or business providing the trip is less than 90 days

Average Dispensing Fees for Medication:
1. Costco $4.85
2. London Drugs $7.85
3. Wal-Mart $8.58
4. Sobeys $8.78
5. Superstore $9.00
6. Zellers $9.14
7. Safeway $9.49
8. Pharmex Rexall $10.40
9. Pharmasave $11.07
10. Independents $11.62
11. Shoppers Drug Mart $11.62
12. Pharma Plus $11.83

Department and Grocery stores tend to have lower fees. The Plan has a $6 dispensing fee cap, so shopping around will minimize out of pocket costs.

Blue Cross Customer E-Service
Customer E-service is now available for subscribers to register and get plan information. It gives you 24 hour, 7 days a week access to:
Plan information
Benefit details
Claim information
On-line claim forms
Temporary ID card
Simply register online at www.mb.bluecross.ca

Sick Leave

• Accumulates at the rate of 20 days per year when employment is for the full school year.
• The 20 days per year will be pro-rated when employment is for less than the full school year.
• Sick days may accumulate to a maximum accumulation of 124 days.
• Part-time teachers receive a pro-rata share of sick days based on full-time equivalency.

Manitoba Teachers Society Long Term Disability
This insurance is compulsory for all contract teachers hired for a period of more than 40 days.  The premium is employee-paid (1.88% of gross salary).  Should a claim be processed, the benefit income provided through this insurance is 80% of pre-disability net income.  No application or enrolment form is necessary to join this plan.

• Teachers working 30% and above contract time are eligible to join this plan.  Teachers working less than 30% contract time are not covered under the terms of this plan.

Group Short Term Disability Plan
This insurance is compulsory for all contract teachers hired for a period of more than 40 days.  The benefits start after all accumulated sick leave has been used and continues up to the qualifying period for the above MTS Long Term Disability benefits (80 days).  The premium is employee paid (0.194% of gross salary).  No application or enrolment form is necessary to join.

Group Life Insurance Plan
Basic Life – This insurance is compulsory for all teachers under contract.  The minimum benefit is 200% of annual earnings.  The premium for the first 200% of coverage is employee-employer shared (50%-50%)

Additional optional life insurance is available at the teacher’s expense.
     200% of annual earnings – $1.20 per thousand earned monthly
     300% of annual earnings – $2.40 per thousand earned monthly
     400% of annual earnings – $3.60 per thousand earned monthly
     500% of annual earnings – $4.80 per thousand earned monthly

Accidental Death, Dismemberment & Loss of Sight (AD&D)
This insurance is optional.  You may choose coverage in units from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $300,000. 
     Single coverage = $0.50 per $15,000 unit
     Family coverage = $0.75 per $15,000 unit.

Family Life Insurance – This benefit is optional at a premium of $3.00 per month.

Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund (TRAF) and Canada Pension PlanThe pension plan is compulsory.  This plan involves a deduction of approximately 7.3% of your gross salary toward your TRAF retirement pension.  No application or enrolment form is required.