WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Extended Health Care provides support for you and your family beyond provincial health care. It is designed to support your overall well-being and reduce out-of-pocket costs for a variety of health care needs.
Extended Health Care Plan Options
You have three options for coverage:
| Basic Coverage | Core Coverage | Plus Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll contribution | None | None | You pay a small contribution |
| Deductible | None | ||
| Coinsurance for most services | 20% | 90% | 100% |
| Hospital | 20% | 100% | 100% |
| Glasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery | No coverage | Up to $300 every 24 months | Up to $450 every 24 months |
| Emergency Travel Insurance | 100% to a maximum of $5 million per lifetime | ||
| Mental health practitioners | $1,000 per year combined | ||
| Paramedical services (e.g., acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist, physiotherapist) | $500 per practitioner, up to combined maximum of $1,500 per year | $750 per practitioner, up to combined maximum of $2,250 per year | |
| Medical equipment & supplies | 20% | 90% | 100% |
| Hearing aids | $500 every 60 consecutive months | $2,000 every 60 consecutive months | $3,500 every 60 consecutive months |
| Custom-made orthopedic shoes and orthotics | Shoes: up to $200 Orthotics: up to $100 every 36 consecutive months | Shoes: up to $400 Orthotics: up to $300 every 36 consecutive months | Shoes: up to $500 Orthotics: up to $400 every 36 consecutive months |
| Spending accounts | Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and Wellness Spending Account (WSA) | No accounts | |
Choose the Right Option for You
Not sure which option is right for you? Explore the Benefits Decision Support Guide to compare your choices and find coverage that fits your needs.
Learn More About Your Coverage
- Telemedicine – Available to all eligible employees and dependants at no cost, regardless of the Extended Health Care option selected. Access virtual primary care and mental health support from anywhere in Canada.
- Prescription Drugs – Learn how eligible prescription drugs are covered, including dispensing limits and generic substitution.
- Emergency Travel Assistance – Learn about coverage and support for eligible medical emergencies while travelling outside your province of residence.
- Critical Illness Insurance – Learn about optional, employee-paid coverage that may provide a lump-sum cash payment following the diagnosis of a covered serious illness.
How Extended Health Care Works
After 30 days of continuous employment, you can choose the health care option that best meets your needs. If you do not enrol, you may default to the Core option. You may opt out of Extended Health Care and/or dental care if you have coverage through your spouse’s plan or another insurance plan.
The plan shares the cost of eligible health care expenses with you. Depending on the expense, you may be responsible for deductibles, co-insurance, or costs that exceed plan limits.
Submit most claims online or through the Manulife mobile app. At the pharmacy, present your benefits card for direct processing of eligible prescriptions.
Have Coverage Through Another Plan?
If you have Extended Health Care coverage through your spouse's plan or another group benefits plan, you have additional options to consider when selecting your Republic Services coverage.
You may waive Republic Services Extended Health Care coverage if you have alternate coverage; or enrol in Republic Services coverage and coordinate benefits between both plans.
If you choose to waive coverage, you will be asked to confirm that you have alternate coverage during enrolment.
Why This Matters When Choosing a Health Option
If you're covered under more than one benefits plan, you may be able to coordinate benefits for eligible expenses. This means expenses not reimbursed by one plan may be submitted to the other plan, potentially reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
For some employees with alternate coverage, this may be an important consideration when comparing the Basic, Core and Plus health options. Total reimbursement cannot exceed 100% of the eligible expense.
For details on how coordination of benefits works and the order in which claims should be submitted, visit Manulife’s Coordination of Benefits site.
If you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, check your union contract, as eligibility and benefits might be different for each program.
