When Coverage Ends

This section provides you with information on when your benefit coverage will cancel upon termination, layoff, leaves, or retirement. You will also find information on various options to convert your coverage to a private policy when your coverage ends through your employment.

• Benefit Cancellation Dates
• Group Life Insurance,
• Extended Health and Dental
• Continuation of your Medical Service Plan coverage
• Continuation of Benefits While on Leave

Benefit Cancellation Dates

Group Life Insurance:

* Coverage is cancelled at the end of the month in which any of the following events occur:

• when your employment ends; or
• when you cease to satisfy the actively at work requirement; or
• when you turn 65; or
• when you retire (prior to age 65) under the provisions of the Pension (Public Service) Act, except if you elect to continue coverage to age 65 (details are provided at the date of retirement); or
• in which a premium is not paid by you, or by your employer on your behalf.

Converting your Group Life Insurance to a Private Policy: If you end your employment or reach age 65, you may apply for conversion to an individual policy. You may be asked to take a medical exam (paid for by the insurance carrier), and where successfully passed you will have access to private life insurance at a favourable premium rate. Should you not pass the medical, you may convert to an individual policy within 60 days of the end of the month in which group coverage ends. This conversion cannot be made retroactive.

The amount of the individual policy may be any amount up to the amount of coverage at the time your group coverage ends, to a maximum of $200,000. The premium for the individual policy will depend upon your age and the type of policy selected. The premium rate will not be the same rate as paid while covered under the group policy. The conversion allows you to obtain a private policy which may not have the same provisions as the current group coverage.

If you currently have Optional Spouse and Dependent Group Life Insurance coverage under the group policy, you are also eligible to convert the spousal portion of the coverage.

To convert to an individual policy contact the Benefits Service Centre (see contact information below). They will require your name, phone number, current address, name of employer (unless retired), date of birth, and the date you are terminating employment or reaching age 65.

The Benefits Service Centre will forward a Group Life Conversion Privilege Notification form to your current address within 5 business days of your request. Once you have received the form you may contact the Great West Life Assurance Company office and deal directly with their advisor.

If you are entitled to have an individual policy issued under this conversion privilege, you will be covered under the group policy for the 60 day conversion period.

Please contact the Benefits Service Centre at your earliest convenience in order to complete the conversion process within 60 days of terminating employment or turning age 65.

NOTE: The Benefits Service Centre, the Public Service Pension Plan at BC Pension Corporation, or your Employer are not responsible for the lapse of the 60 day conversion period if you do not apply in a timely manner (i.e.: we suggest contact within 30 days of terminating employment or turning age 65).

To apply, contact:
Benefits Service Centre
TSS Sourcing Solutions BC
1-877-277-0772

Callers from outside BC please call:
Enquiry BC at 604-688-2421 and ask to be transferred to Telus Sourcing Solutions (Benefits Service Centre) at 1-877-277-0772

Or E-mail: BenefitsServiceCentre@gov.bc.ca
 

Extended Health and Dental

Converting your Extended Health and Dental coverage: Upon termination of your Extended Health and Dental coverage with your employer, you may convert to a private policy with the Blue Cross organization in your province of residence. The conversion process means that the general pre-existing conditions provision and the extended dental waiting periods will be waived. The benefits available and the cost of these benefits under a private policy are not the same as the benefits you have with your employer.

To convert your coverage, you must apply and pay for your coverage within 60 days of termination of your Dental coverage with your employer. Application forms are available from the Blue Cross organization in your province of residence. You may contact Pacific Blue Cross to get information on applying for individual coverage under these benefits.

Medical Services Plan continuation

Your BC Medical coverage ends:

• at the end of the month in which your employment ends; or
• at the end of the month when you end your coverage by request; or
• if you haven't received a salary from your employer during a calendar month and you fail to pay a premium during this time.

BC Medical coverage will be paid up to the end of the month in which you terminate employment. You do not need to re-apply. The Medial Services Plan will automatically set up a self-administered account for you and begin billing you for premiums. You should, however, contact MSP if you need to report a change of address or do not receive a billing notice within 60 days of the termination or your current account.