With the current members’ insurance plan set to expire at the end of the month, Equity is pleased to announce a new interim benefits plan has been negotiated, in effect January 1, 2022 until December 31, 2022. The interim plan will ensure members are provided with uninterrupted coverage for the next year while offering the Association an opportunity to explore options for a long-term solution that best suits the needs of our membership.
The abrupt decision by Chubb Canada to terminate Equity’s current plan required swift action to ensure members were not left unprotected in the new year. A number of alternative benefits plans were investigated, including AFBS, a familiar partner in our industry, but the issue of a quick turnaround and the difficulty of trying to maintain our considerably bespoke plan at a cost acceptable to our membership greatly influenced our decision.
Ultimately, the best option to fill our urgent need and ensure no interruption in coverage was to partner with Crawford & Company – the claims management company that has administered the medical portion of our existing plan on behalf of Chubb Canada for several years now. With some minor modifications, this interim plan will provide Equity members with a relatively seamless transition and no change in the way claims are processed. Short-term disability (STD) will now be administered by Crawford & Company while Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and will continue to be covered by Chubb.
“We’ve been lucky enough to avoid increases in our premiums for some time now, but Chubb’s decision not to renew our plan is a clear indication that it just wasn’t sustainable at the rates we pay. The pandemic only exacerbated the problem, as claims continued to be submitted while the amount of premiums paid has been dramatically reduced. Even with the cost-saving measures we have put in place, the interim plan is likely to run at a loss, and maintaining it will require us to draw significantly on our insurance stabilization fund,” said Equity Executive Director, Arden R. Ryshpan.
“We know there were considerable limitations to the coverage available under the plan we had. We know members want more benefits. But the fact is, members have the ability to qualify for year-round coverage for as little as $144 ($18 x 8 weeks), and there is simply no other insurance plan out there for that price. Looking ahead, changes will need to be made. Higher premiums will be required if we want to maintain the benefits we have or if we want to increase those benefits. But for now, at least, members can rest assured that they will have coverage for the coming year, and that was our objective.”
Details of the 2022 interim insurance plan:
- Eligibility will now be calculated based on a calendar year.
- Off-contract coverage will be provided for all those who qualified with 8 weeks in the 2021 calendar year.
- Coverage will remain the same, except for Health and Wellness benefits, which will not be provided this year. Given their critical importance, we hope to be able to restore these benefits in 2023.
- As of January 1, 2022, there will be a $100 annual deductible, applied to your first claim.
- All premiums will be increased by $2.
- Equity will now forgo its small administrative fee that helped pay for internal costs incurred in maintaining the plan (e.g., Equity IT and database upkeep/management, Equity staff resources, etc.)
- The interim plan allows members to file claims directly online.
- A 24/7 support number is available for members accessing the plan.
Members should watch for a follow-up email later in the week with more details on how to access the new forms as well as contact information for Crawford & Company.
Note: Any expenses incurred before December 31, 2021, should be submitted to Chubb. Any ongoing expenses for an existing claim that continue into the new year, should also be submitted to Chubb.
Any new claims after January 1, 2022, should be submitted to Crawford & Company. As of January 1, you will find their forms available on our website, www.caea.com.
In the new year, Equity will begin the process of consulting with the membership and negotiating with appropriate providers to secure an affordable, enduring benefits plan for 2023 and beyond.
For more information, please contact
communications@caea.com.