Who is eligible?

Any member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who is working under a Collective Agreement with Local 230, 258, 993 or 1003 and such Collective Agreement requiring employer contribution to this Plan.

If owner/operators who are members in good standing wish to participate in the Plan, they must remit a minimum of 115 hours each month, regardless of the hours worked per month.

Do any cards have to be completed?

Yes. You must complete an M.S.P. application form and a Life Insurance beneficiary form.

How does a member qualify for coverage?

A member qualifies when 150 hours or more are reported by the employer within a twelve-month period. The hours reported are credited to the individual in his "hour bank". Coverage will commence on the 1^st day of the second month following the accumulation of 150 hours.

Due to the time factor in submitting hours, ie. January hours would be applied towards March coverage. (February is the lag month)

Each month a member will have a charge of 100 hours made against their hour bank. A maximum of up to twelve hundred (1200) hours can be accumulated in a member's hour bank.

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Members in good standing of I.B.E.W. Local's 230, 258, 993 and 1003 will be entitled to the following coverage on a self-pay basis.

i) Those members who have a residue of employer hours in their bank or who, although working regularly, do not have a sufficient work to maintain the hour bank charge will qualify under "shortage hours" and will receive a billing showing the balance of hours required to make up the 100 hours needed each month to give a member coverage under "Plan A". Shortage notices do not reduce the maximum months under self payment. If there are no employers hours, you have the option of self paying under:

ii)

* Weekly Indemnity claim must commence within 3 months of ceasing to work under the Collective Agreement.

The first month in which you fall below 100 employer hours, the Fund will absorb the difference out of general revenue.

Owners/operators whose company is active in the Electrical Contracting business may not self pay.

Self pay is only available to a member who was covered under the Joint Electrical Industry's Welfare Plan and coverage must be continuous.

A Notice showing the amount required to self pay will be sent to the last known address and your self payment must be returned within one month of your account falling below 100 hours.

Self Payment is available for a maximum of 24 consecutive months with subsidy and a further 6 months with payment in full.

Note: If you wish to carry on medical benefits only, you should apply directly to:

Medical Services Plan of British Columbia

Post Office Box 1600

Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2X9

When does coverage end?

Coverage will terminate where there are not sufficient hours in the "hour bank" to allow for a deduction of the applicable monthly hour bank charge. As noted above, by self-paying a member can keep themselves covered by paying any difference required.

When a member is collecting under the Weekly Indemnity Plan/E.I.. Sick Pay or Workers' Compensation, will they receive assistance with their hour bank?

Yes. For each day that he/she is disabled and provided that the claim for the Weekly Indemnity Plan/E.I. Sick Pay or Workers' Compensation has been accepted for payment, the hour bank will be credited with contributions of 8 hours per day subject to a maximum of 100 hours per month for up to 12 months. IF the claim is for Weekly Indemnity this will be done automatically, but for Workers' Compensation or E.I. Sick Pay, a special form should be requested from the Administrators office. To qualify for these disability credits, the member must be eligible for benefits when the disability commences.

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The Joint Electrical Industry's Welfare Plan has entered into agreements with other I.B.E.W. Locals across Canada and U.S.A. whereby if you are working in another Local with whom there is a Reciprocal Agreement, the contributions made on your behalf will be transferred to the Joint Electrical Industry's Welfare Plan.

In addition, Reciprocal Agreements have been signed with Certain other trades who are members of the B.C. and Yukon Building and Construction Trades Council. This enables you to receive credit while temporarily working out of another jurisdiction.

It should be noted that any contributions submitted on your behalf from another Health and Welfare Plan would be subject to an adjustment in accordance with the hourly contribution rate.

Before leaving B.C. to work in another I.B.E.W. jurisdiction, we suggest that you contact the Administrator's office to determine the status of your Health and Welfare coverage.

When you qualify you will be enrolled in the Medical Services Plan of B.C. provided you have completed and submitted an enrollment form to the Administrator.

Details of the Medical Plan are shown in the official brochure. Your M.S.P. group number is #4821427 and you will be issued an identification card as soon as you are eligible for coverage.

Each eligible member is insured for $45,000.00 Life Insurance. You must complete a Life Insurance Beneficiary card to ensure there is no delay in the claim settlement.

conversion option

If an insured Member's Life Insurance terminates because their membership in This Plan terminates, the member may convert up to 100% (50% after their 65^th birthday) of the terminated amount.

If the member's Life Insurance terminates because this benefit is discontinued and they have been insured under the Plan for the last 5 years, then on or before their 65^th birthday, the member may convert to an individual Life Insurance policy, up to the lesser of:

100% of the terminated amount; or

3 times the current Canada Pension Plan maximum Pensionable Earnings;

less any amount of Group Life Insurance for which they may become eligible within 31 days of the date this benefit terminates; or after their 65^th birthday, the member may convert up to 50% of the terminated amount less any amount of Group Life Insurance for which they may become eligible within 31 days of the date this benefit terminates to a maximum amount of $2,000.

A member may convert to individual permanent insurance under any regular plan then being issued by AEtna Life;

1- year convertible term insurance (if the member is under age 65); or

term insurance to age 65

The member must apply in writing and pay the first premium to AEtna Life within 31 days of the date their insurance terminates. The premium rate will be based on their age and class of risk at the time they convert. No medical exam or health questionnaire will be required.

Extension of benefit

If a member dies within 31 days of the date their Life Insurance terminates, the amount they could have converted will be paid as a death benefit even if no application for conversion was made.

A benefit of $384.00 per week will be paid to each eligible member who is disabled and unable to work as the result of a non-occupational accident or sickness, if not entitled to E.I. sick pay. Waiting period, 2 weeks from date of disability. Maximum benefit, 26 weeks. Rejection by E.I. must accompany claim.

The Plan does not pay weekly benefits for (1) any injury or sickness (a) covered by E.I. sick pay (b) covered by any Workers' Compensation or occupational disease law or the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (c) arising from or sustained in the course of any occupation or employment for compensation, profit or gain or, (d) if you are not under the active and continuous care of a physician (2) any pregnancy related illness during a period for which you are (a) entitled to receive benefits form the Employment Insurance Commission, or (b) entitled to pregnancy leave of absence by reason of provincial or federal statute, or any greater period of leave as granted by your employer by way of contract or agreement, verbal or written.

You are not considered totally disabled due to the use of drugs or alcohol unless you are being actively supervised by and receiving continuous treatment for that disability from a rehabilitation centre, a physician or an institution provincially designated for that treatment.

A benefit of $1,000 per month will be paid to each eligible member who is Totally Disabled and unable to work as a result of a non-occupational accident or sickness. The waiting period is 28 weeks from the date of disability. Maximum benefit duration is to age 65.

If you become Totally Disabled while covered and are:

• seen by, and treated by, a licensed doctor (M.D.) Within 31 days of the date you become Totally Disabled, and
• absent from work for more than the Waiting Period;

monthly benefit payments will be made to you for the period following the Waiting Period for as long as you are:

• Totally Disabled;
• under the ongoing care of a licensed doctor (M.D.); and
• residing in Canada, unless prior approval to the contrary is obtained from the Plan.

but not beyond the end of the month in which the Benefit Duration is completed.

Totally Disabled means that solely because of a non-occupational illness or accidental bodily injury, you are unable to work at any occupation for which you are, or may reasonably become, fitted by education, training or experience.

The availability of employment will not be considered in the assessment of your disability.

Recurrent Disability

Any consecutive period of Total Disability that is:

• due to the same or a related cause; and
• separated by return to active full-time work for less than six months (two weeks during the Waiting Period);

will be deemed to be one period of Total Disability with only the initial Waiting Period applying, provided the first period begins while you are covered under this Benefit.

Benefits Offsets

Your benefit will be reduced by any amount necessary to limit the income payable (or would have been payable had you applied for it):

• as a Long Term Disability Benefit;
• from any job for pay or profit (except under an approved rehabilitation or partial disability program); or
• because you are disabled or retired under any plan required or provided by a government or pursuant to a statute, such as, but not limited to, Workers' Compensation and any Automobile Insurance Act; and
• because you are disabled or retired under any other group insurance, benefit, or other arrangement for members of a group (whether on an insured basis or not).

to 85% of pre-disability Earnings.

Should you receive income form any of the above sources payable:

• as a retroactive award, benefit payments will be adjusted to reflect any overpayment that may have been made;
• other than monthly, such income will be covered to a monthly basis; or
• in a lump sum payment for loss of future income, no further benefits will be paid until such time as the sum of the benefit payments otherwise payable equals the amount of each sum.

Your benefit will not be reduced by income payable from:

• the Canada or Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP)
• disability or retirement benefits at the level that you were receiving them prior to the date you became Totally Disabled under this Benefit; or
• any individual disability insurance, exclusive of accident benefits payable under an automobile policy

Recovery of Benefits

If you receive a benefit from this Plan in excess of what should have been paid, the Plan has the right to recover the amount of such excess from you or deduct it from future monthly benefits payable to you.

Rehabilitation

If you recover enough from your disability to be able to work full-time or part-time at any job under a rehabilitation program approved in writing by the Plan, you will still be deemed to be Totally Disabled and your benefit will only be reduced by the amount need to keep your disability benefit income plus your rehabilitative income at the same level as your pre-disability Earnings.

If you refuse to participate in a rehabilitation program recommended by the Plan, your benefit payments will be terminated.

Partial Disability

If you are Totally Disabled but are able to work under a program approved in writing by the Plan and perform at any time the duties of any occupation on a part-time basis, you will still be entitled to a benefit which will only be reduced by the greater of 50% of the income received from such work or the amount needed to keep your disability benefit income plus the income you receive from such work at the same level as your pre-disability Earnings.

Third Party Liability

If you receive benefit payments sunder this Plan for loss of income for which there may be a cause of action against a third party, you will be required to complete a Reimbursement Agreement. This will entitle the Plan to be reimbursed for any amounts(s), including interest, you recover from a third party for:

• loss of income; or
• medical or dental expenses

which, together with any amount(s) paid or payable under any of the Benefits of this Plan, would exceed your actual loss.

Following notification to the Plan of payment by a third party of any judgement or settlement, further disability benefit payments under this Plan will terminate until the Plan has been reimbursed the amount set out in the Reimbursement Agreement.

If a lump sum payment is made under judgement or settlement for loss of future income, no further disability benefits will be paid under this plan until such time as the sum of the benefit payments otherwise payable equals the amount of such lump sum.

Exclusions and Limitations

No benefit will be paid for the period you are entitled to pregnancy or parental leave by statute, contract or employer arrangement.

Benefit payments may be terminated if you:

• fail to provide proof of ongoing disability when requested to do so;
• refuse or fail to complete and return or comply with the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement in accordance with the Third Party Liability provision;
• fail to report for a medical examination, as often as may reasonably be required, by a licensed doctor (M.D.) Of the Plan's choice; or
• are not receiving accepted standard professional treatment for the condition being treated and, where appropriate, treatment by a relevant and certified specialist.

No benefit will be paid for any disability that results from or is contributed to by:

• war, whether declared or not;
• insurrection, rebellion or participation in a riot or civil commotion;
• purposely self-inflicted injury;
• your commission of, or attempt to commit, an assault or criminal offense;
• chronic alcoholism, or use of narcotics, barbiturates or hallucinogens, unless you are receiving ongoing active professional treatment deemed appropriate for the condition being treated; or
• a pre-existing condition as described below.

Pre-existing Condition Limitation

If during the first twelve months that you are covered, you become Totally Disabled, directly or indirectly, because of an illness or injury for which you:

• received medical treatment, consultation, care or service including diagnostic tests; or
• took prescribed drugs;

during the 90-day period before the date you became covered, no benefit payments will be made.

If, after the first twelve months that you are covered, but before you have been covered 24 months, you again become Totally Disabled because of the same or a related cause, you must:

• have returned to active full-time work for at least six months; and
• be absent from work for more than the Waiting Period;

before benefit payments will be made.

Waiver of Premium

No premium is required for this Benefit during a period for which you are entitled to receive benefit payments.

Extension Benefit

If you are Totally Disabled on the date your coverage terminates, you will be entitled to the same benefit as though your insurance had not terminated.

Extended Health Care is an extension of your medical coverage and is designed to protect you and your family dependents against many of the expenses incurred during a period of illness.

Covered Expenses

Covered expenses included under the Plan are the charges which you are required to pay for the following services and supplies received while you are insure, for the treatment of non-occupational injuries and diseases.

1. Drugs and Medicines obtainable only upon a physician's prescription, not eligible for reimbursement under B.C. Pharmacare. The Plan will cover Generic Drug costs only, with exceptions made for drug intolerance and lack of availability. If the Doctor handwrites on prescriptions "no alternatives", the Plan will reimburse the cost of the prescribed drug.
2. Treatment by a Licenses Chiropractor, Naturopath, "*Acupuncturist, Podiatrist, Speech Therapist, or Psychologist - duly qualified and registered - maximum aggregate amount of $200.00 per person to a maximum of $500 per family, per calendar year. Eligible expenses will also include X-rays up to $25.00 per calendar year when required. No amount is payable for any visit for which any provincial medicare allowance is payable except for the "user-fee" not paid by M.S.P. * Care or services must be certified as necessary by the attending physician.
3. Physiotherapy by a person duly qualified and registered and legally engaged in the practice of physiotherapy, provided such services, by duration and type, have been prescribed by a physician.
4. Registered graduate Nurse (R.N.) Other than a nurse who ordinarily resides in your home, or who is a member of your or your spouse's family, when ordered by the attending physician in the management of an acutely ill patient.
5. Anaesthesia, oxygen, blood and blood products.
6. Rental of iron lung or other durable medical or surgical equipment.
7. Artificial limbs and eyes.
8. Diagnosis and assessment by a person duly qualified and registered and legally engaged in the practice of psychology on the written recommendation of a physician.
9. Dental treatment immediately necessary to natural teeth as a result of an accident.
10. Professional ambulance service when used to transport the individual form the place where they are injured by an accident or stricken by a disease to the first hospital where treatment is given.
11. Hearing aids for dependent children under sixteen years of age when prescribed by eh attending Certified Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. The maximum benefit during a five year period shall not exceed $300.00 per child and does not include payment for repairs and maintenance, batteries or re-charging devices, or such other accessories.
12. Orthopedic shoes when recommended by a licensed doctor (M.D.) At a co-insurance of 50% to a maximum benefit payment of $250 per calendar year.
13. Arch supports, molds or orthotic devices, but not for sports, when recommended by a licensed doctor (M.D.) Or Podiatrist at a co-insurance of 50% to a maximum payment of $200 per calendar year.
14. Hospital Services and Supplies:

1. The hospital co-insurance charge if applicable when confined in a convalescent hospital approved by the Province of British Columbia for up to 120 days during any period of disability provided the individual is admitted to the convalescent hospital within 14 days following confinement in an acute general hospital. All confinements in a convalescent hospital will be considered as one period of disability unless confinements are separated by at least 90 days.

Out of Province Benefits

1. Physicians services: Reasonable and customary charges for physician's services required in the event of an emergency while travelling or on vacation outside the Province of British Columbia, over and above the amounts paid or payable by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia.
2. Hospital Charges: In the event of an emergency while travelling or on vacation, the total amount of the hospital room charge over and above that covered by B.C. Hospital Programs. This includes private or semi-private rooms and/or short stay charges.
3. In an emergency, services and/or supplies as become necessary outside the Province of British Columbia on the same basis as they would be entitled to coverage in the Province of British Columbia.

Description of Benefit

If you incur Covered Expenses in any calendar year the Plan pays you 80% of any such expenses. There is a deductible of $100 per member or family per calendar year.

The maximum Benefit for all Covered Expenses is $25,000.00.

On the first day of each calendar year any person who has attained the maximum amount, will automatically be reinstated for a further $1,000.00, or the amount required to reinstate this amount.

The co-insurance application to expenses eligible for B.C. Pharmacare will be reimbursed at 100 percent.

Eligibility

Any member who has current coverage will be entitled to submit eligible transportation costs for themselves or their eligible dependants.

Eligible dependants shall mean the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of a member qualified for coverage under this Plan.

Covered Expenses

Seventy-five percent f the amount equal to round trip commercial economy class airfare for transportation within British Columbia, Alberta or Yukon Territory from the commercial airport nearest to the member's permanent B.C. or Yukon residence where regularly scheduled airlines depart from to the commercial airport located nearest to the facility recommended by the patient's doctor where treatment, diagnostic test or examination takes place.

An accommodation allowance of $30 per day for a maximum of 3 days will be paid to a member upon presentation of an official receipt in conjunction with the Supplemental Travel eligibility rules for a maximum of 4 trips per calendar year.

Airfare as defined above for one attendant will be permitted when medically required by the attending physician.

In each calendar year no more than 4 trips will be eligible for reimbursement.

Exclusions

A Dental Plan is provided for you and your eligible dependants which includes your wife and unmarried dependent children under 21 years of age.

PART I - Basic Dental

The following services are eligible for reimbursement of 75% of the lesser of the amount charged or the B.C. College of Dental Surgeons' Fee Guide.

1. Diagnostic Services: Those basic procedures necessary to assist the Dentist in evaluating the existing conditions to determine the required dental treatment including: Oral examinations - two per year. COMPLETE ORAL EXAMINATION once in a 3 year period. X-rays - limited to the equivalent of one full mouth series per year. Complete mouth X-rays will be covered once in any 3 year period. Consultation ( as a separate appointment).
2. Preventative Services: Those basic procedures necessary to prevent the occurrence of oral disease, including: Cleaning and topical application of fluoride - twice a year, scaling, band and loop space retainers.
3. Surgical Services: Those basic procedures necessary for extractions and other basic surgical procedures normally performed by a Dentist.
4. Restorative Services: Those basic procedures necessary for filling teeth with amalgam, synthetic porcelain, and stainless steel crowns. Anaesthetics administered in connection with oral surgery or other covered dental services. Injections of antibiotic drugs by the attending dentist.
5. Prosthetic Repairs: Those basic procedures required to repair or reline fixed or removable appliances. Repairs to complete upper and/or lower dentures may be performed by either a licensed Dentist or a duly licensed Dental Mechanic.
6. Endodontics: Those basic procedures necessary for pulpal therapy and root canal filling. Root Canal therapy will be limited to once per tooth per lifetime of member.
7. Periodontics: Those basic procedures necessary for the treatment of tissues supporting the teeth.

Treatment in the case of each Dental Expense, must have been made by a legally qualified dentist, except that cleaning and scaling of teeth may be performed by a registered dental nurse. If such treatment is rendered under the supervision and direction of such dentist.

PART II - Prosthetic Appliances and Crown and Bridge Procedures

The cost of the following items will be eligible for reimbursement of 75% of the lesser of the amount charged or the B.C. College of Dental Surgeon's Fee Guide.

1. Crowns and/or bridges.
2. Onlays and/or inlays involved in bridge work.
3. Partial dentures
4. Complete upper and lower dentures - these may be provided by a Dentist or duly licensed Dental Mechanic.
5. Gold inlays or onlays will be provided as a filling material only when teeth which, in the professional opinion of a dentist, cannot be restored with any other material.

No benefits will be paid for duplication of the above services within a five year period for the replacement of dentures that are lost or stolen. Broken dentures may be repaired (under Part I) but will not be replaced.

Any fees agreed to in excess of the Fee Schedule are your responsibility.

A maximum payment of $2000 per calendar year per family is available for Part I and Part II combined.

Emergency Dental Care anywhere ins the World

In an EMERGENCY if you require dental care while you are travelling or on vacation outside of British Columbia you are entitled to the services of a duly qualified dentist and will be reimbursed up to the amount that would have been paid had the service been rendered in British Columbia.

Services Not Covered

1. Services which are provided by the Medical Services Act of British Columbia, the Workers' Compensation Board or any other similar agency or services for which any third party is liable.
2. Procedures with respect to congenital malformations or procedures for purely cosmetic reasons.
3. Charges for broken appointments, oral hygiene or nutritional instruction, or protective athletic appliances.
4. Charges for pantographic tracings.
5. Incomplete, unsuccessful or temporary procedures.
6. Recent duplication of services by the same or different Dentists.
7. Procedures commenced prior to the effective date of coverage.
8. Any extra procedure which would normally be included in the basic service performed.
9. Charges for any service or supplies which are for orthodontic treatment (including correction of malocclusion).
10. Any hospital charges for board and room and other necessary services and supplies, in connection with injuries or diseases of a dental nature
11. Charges for completion of claim forms.
12. Expenses recoverable under any other plan will be co-ordinated with payments from this plan, so that total payment received will not exceed the expenses actually incurred.
13. Those services which are not in accordance with the generally established principles of the B.C. College of Dental Surgeons.

DENTAL CLAIMS PROCEDURE

To make a claim:

1. You will be reimbursed on the basis of your receipt and information supplied by you when the claim is initially submitted. However, there will be occasions where a detailed claim form is necessary.
2. Submit your claim to the Administrator ensuring that your NAME, ADDRESS, SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER and LOCAL UNION are clearly shown.
3. If you have paid the dentist's account, the cheque issued will be payable to you. If you have not paid the account, the cheque will be payable to the dentist and mailed to him. You will be responsible for the difference between the dentist's charge and the amount paid by the Plan.

It is recommended that you obtain an expense estimate and check with the Administrator before undertaking a prolonged course of treatment.

Eligibility

Any member who has qualified for coverage under the Joint Electrical Industry's welfare Plan will be entitled to submit eligible visions expenses for themselves and their eligible dependents.

Eligible dependents shall mean the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of a member qualified for coverage under this Plan.

Covered Expenses

The following expenses shall be eligible for reimbursement:

1. One set of single vision, bifocal or trifocal lenses, prescribed by a person legally qualified to make such prescription;
2. One set of frames required when glasses are first prescribed or required to accommodate new lense if existing frames are not serviceable;
3. One set of contact lenses prescribed by a person legally qualified to make such prescription.

Exclusions

The cost of the following items are excluded from this Plan:

(a) Safety goggles, sun glasses (plain or prescription)

(b) Replacement of lost, stolen or broken lenses or frames.

Payment of Expenses

The maximum amount payable during any period of 24 consecutive months (regardless of consecutive months of coverage) shall be 100% of the actual expenses incurred to a maximum of $200.00 for an eligible member or for an eligible dependent.

Instructions

In submitting eligible claims, please follow directions outlined on the reverse side of the Extended Health Benefits claim form which is available through the Union or Administrator's office.

WHEN WRITING THE ADMINISTRATOR BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Your Name

Your Address

Your Social Insurance Number

Your Local Union

IMPORTANT

Advise the Administrator of any change of address or addition of dependents to your family.