FAQ
Your Queries Answered
This section of the BCPVPA benefits website is intended to help you understand what happens to your benefits in the case of different work and life circumstances.
It’s important to note that some of these situations may require immediate action either by you, or by the School District Benefits Administrator.
If your situation is not listed and you require additional information, contact your School District Benefits Administrator.
Disability benefits are governed by a Member’s earnings, as such if your salary has changed, so has the amount you’re insured for under the disability benefits.
Earnings are defined as:
- For LTD: the normal basic remuneration paid to the Employee by the Employer, including any regular overtime pay, bonus or other shift premium forming an integral part of normal remuneration as defined under the Employment Insurance Act, and which is declared to the Insurer by the Employer.
Sick Leave
Your District may provide a sick leave plan for Members unable to work due to illness or injury for some or all of the period prior to eligibility for Long Term Disability benefits. Please contact your School District Benefits Administrator for more information.
Long Term Disability
You are also eligible for a long term disability (LTD) plan under the BCPVPA plan. See “My Plan” – LTD plan for details of your plan provisions. Employees approved for LTD benefits may be eligible to receive a Waiver of Premium for the following benefits, if disability commenced prior to age 65, and disability has been continuous throughout the Elimination Period:
- Basic Life insurance
- Optional Life insurance
- Spouse Optional Life insurance*
- Child Optional Life insurance *
- Long Term Disability
- Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
- Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
* Waiver of Premium will apply to the Spouse and/or Child Optional Life insurance if the Employee supplied evidence of insurability and was approved at the time of disability for Spouse and/or Child Optional Life insurance.
Applications for Waivers of Premium
Life Insurance including Basic Life, Optional Life, Spouse Optional Life and Child Optional Life (if applicable) If you are eligible for LTD benefits through BCPVPA plan, and are applying for Waiver of Premium for your life insurance, the following steps must be taken:
- The Benefits Administrator gives the employee the Group Life Waiver of Premium – Employee’s Statement to sign and return to them.
- The Benefits Administrator will complete the Group Life Waiver of Premium – Employer’s Statement. Your LTD approval letter must also be enclosed. The Benefits Administrator will send the form along with the original BCPSEA benefits enrolment form to:
W&Wforms@pacbluecross.ca
or
Pacific Blue Cross
PO Box 7000
Vancouver BC V6B 4E1
Phone: 604-419-2000
Toll Free: 1-877-222-2583
Fax: 604-419-8055
The Benefit Administrator will be advised whether or not the waiver application has been accepted. Pacific Blue Cross must receive the completed Waiver of Premium forms no later than 6 months after the waiting period (which equals the employee’s LTD elimination period).
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, including Basic AD&D and Optional AD&D (if applicable):
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Waiver(s) of Premium are tied to the approval of the Life Insurance Waiver(s) of Premium. The effective date of AD&D Waiver of Premium will be the effective date of the Life Insurance Waiver(s) of Premium.
Disability insurance, including Short Term Disability (if applicable) and Long Term Disability
Disability premium will be waived on approval of the LTD claim retroactive to the date of the eligibility of the LTD claim (i.e., after the end of the waiting period). Premiums must continue to be paid until the insurer confirms that the Long Term Disability was approved.
Contact the School District Benefits Administrator to discuss if there are any changes to your eligibility for benefits.
A Member (“Employee”) is eligible for benefits coverage under the BCPVPA plan if they meet the eligibility requirements and waiting period outlined in the Your Benefits section of this website.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be permanent and regular Principal, Vice-Principal, Management or Non-Unionized Support Staff,
- Work at least 17.5 hours per week,
- Have completed the waiting period, and
- Be “actively at work” on the eligibility date.
When you become eligible to receive benefits the following steps will be taken:
- You must complete and sign the BCPSEA/BCPVPA Benefits Enrolment Form and provide this form to the School District Benefits Administrator.
- The School District Benefits Administrator enrolls the Member within 30 days of your eligibility date.
- The School District Benefits Administrator advises you of the benefits you are eligible for and the effective date for each benefit. You can review coverage details under the Your Benefits section of this website.
Your disability plan covers you until age 65. Your Long Term Disability coverage will be terminated at the end of the month in which you reach age 65 less 117 days.
When you plan to retire and you have enough sick days, you can submit the Request to Discontinue Disability Premiums. This request has to be submitted ahead of time, as the change cannot be done retroactively.
BCPVPA disability benefits may be continued during a Leave of Absence. Your School District Benefits Administrator will provide you with details about which benefits can be continued and for how long.
If you decide to take a Leave of Absence of more than 31 days, the following steps must be taken:
- You must complete the Notice of Leave Form for an upcoming Leave of Absence of more than 31 days, indicating the type of leave you are taking (i.e. Maternity Leave, Parental Leave, or other paid or unpaid leave). Please note that if your leave from work is due to sickness or disability this form is not required but you should refer to the “What Happens When: Becoming Disabled” section of this website for information about benefits while you are disabled.
- The School District Benefits Administrator files the completed Notice of Leave Form within the Member’s personnel file. Please ensure that form is fully completed including ID number and group number.
- If you are waiving benefit coverage while on a leave of absence, you must indicate so in the Notice of Leave Form and return to your School District Benefits Administrator.
The following information outlines the continuation of coverage policies of the BCPVPA disability plan.
Disability benefits during a Leave of Absence
If disability benefits continue while you are on an approved leave of absence and you become disabled during the leave, the elimination period, as outlined in the Your Benefits section of this website, will be deemed to commence on the date the Member is scheduled to return to Active Employment, provided the Member is still disabled and still eligible for LTD benefits.
Maternity, Parental (including Adoption) and EI Compassionate Care Leaves in Canada
Coverage may be continued during a Maternity, Parental or EI Compassionate Care Leave, but not more than the period required under the relevant legislation. Continuation of coverage beyond the legislated time period requires Insurer approval. Please contact the School District Benefits Administrator for more information if you require an extension of coverage past the legislated time period allowed.
The BCPVPA disability plan can be extended while you are on Maternity Leave or Parental (including Adoption) Leave.
Leave of Absence
Coverage may or may not be continued during leaves of absence for up to 24 months.