CUPE 3903 ON YORK UNIVERSITY’S MID-STRIKE TRANSFER FROM GREAT WEST TO SUN LIFE

As you may have heard, York transferred its benefits for all employees to a new insurance carrier, Sun Life. Below are some answers to commonly asked questions. Please be assured that your benefits have NOT been terminated. CUPE 3903 has arranged for benefits to continue during the strike. Please note that in order for benefits to continue, the cost of benefits are being paid by CUPE National not York University.

Q1: My “pay direct” drug card does not work. What can I do?
A: The information York is providing the union is that most if not all drug stores can still file a claim directly (i.e. without charging you first) to the new insurance company WITHOUT a drug card. All you need to do is provide your pharmacy with: a) the i.d. number for Sun Life which is “16″; b) the new policy “14098″ and your individual i.d. number which is the 9 digit employee number on your pay stub that begins ‘102′ or ‘101′. You can also find this number on your old drug card (it is a 10 digit number that begins ‘0′ the 101 or 102 – (just ignore the first zero when providing the i.d. number from your old drug card).

If you have had to purchase the drugs, or if you have a vision claim, you can file a claim for reimbursement. You can find the claim form on the internet:
http://www.yorku.ca/hr/documents/SunLifeHealthClaimForm.pdf

Q2: How do I get a new drug card?
A: York has mailed them for all CUPE 3903 members to their home addresses (the initial information is that the cards were mailed to campus addresses). Some members will have received it, however, York University does not have updated mailing addresses for a large number of members especially in CUPE Unit 1 & Unit 3.

You can also try to print a drug card for yourself (see #8)

Q3: How can my dental office submit a claim?
A: All you need to do is to have your dentist alter your insurance information. Let them know the name of the new carrier (Sun Life), the i.d. number for Sun Life which is “16″, the Plan name (York University), the Policy Number (14098) and your i.d. individual number (see #1 above).

Remember some dentists will bill the insurance company directly and charge you any difference but many will charge you directly but submit a claim on your behalf.

In the event that you have a claim to make and your dentist did not submit the claim electronically, see the following claim form:
http://www.yorku.ca/hr/documents/SunLifeDentalClaimForm.pdf

Q4: Can I submit an old claim for drug, dental, and vision when coverage was under Great West Life to Sun Life?
A: Yes. Just use the appropriate forms (see above) for any expenses incurred in the last 15 months.

Q5: Does the transfer to Sun Life change any of the benefits?
A: No. The benefits are the same. All of your claims history will be carried over. For example, the amount you have spent on dental in this calendar year will count toward the annual maximum of $2000 despite the shift to Sun Life.

Q6: I have heard that CUPE 3903 has already successfully increased the maximum for vision ($400) and dental ($3000) and that new extended health services (e.g. physiotherapy) have been added. Can I access these new benefits?
A: No. Until the new collective agreements are ratified, the benefits remain the same and the new or improved benefits may or may not be retroactive.

Q7: I am still experiencing difficulty with the benefits and/or I have more questions? Who do I contact?
A: While the union can dispense information, York University is the client of the insurance carrier, so any questions with regard to your claims history, changing your information or processing a claim must be directed to Sun Life (1-800-361-6212) or to the York Pension and Benefits department. This office divides up York employees by last name so call the benefits “counselor” that corresponds with your last name:

Member Last Name Starts with:
A – E, M –> Contact Margaret Crowe, ext. 20377 / crowem@yorku.ca

F – L, Q, R –> Contact Ida Condotta ext 20702 / condotta@yorku.ca

N – P, S – Z –> Contact Peter Chakonza ext 20617 / chakp@yorku.ca

Q8: I understand that it is possible to print a new drug card from the Sun Life website?
A: Yes, you can print a card but you will need to login to the website. You will need the new policy number (14098) and your individual i.d. number AND a PIN number. We understand from the York Pensions and Benefits office that the pin number can be accessed if you have a “yorku” account or if you call Sun Life after attempting to login.

LINK to the Sun Life website at www.sunlife.ca/member.