FAQs Archive

Q: Is our school district/union local allowed to opt out of the Core LTD Plan?

No. The Core LTD Plan is mandatory for all school districts/union locals who participate in the PEBT. The provincial government fully funds the Core LTD Plan.

Q: How much do the school districts and/or plan members have to pay for any other LTD plans?

The PEBT does not fund any of the other LTD plans. The school districts and/or the members pay the full cost of any other plans that provide top-up LTD benefits based on agreed-upon cost-sharing arrangements. For more information about a particular school district's Other LTD plan, the Summary of Benefits or contact your school district benefits administrator.

Q: If a member becomes disabled during the school year, when does the 120-day elimination period for LTD benefits begin?

If a member becomes disabled during the school year and has been actively at work, the 120-day elimination period starts on the first day the member is not able to work because of illness or injury. The elimination period will stop during summer months if the member is not scheduled to work (for example if a 10-month member became disabled June 10 and is usually off for the summer, the elimination period will accumulate from June 10 to June 30, and then resume accumulating on September 1st).

Q: What if the plan member has not seen a doctor yet?

A main objective of the JEIS is to help ill or injured members return to work in a caring, safe and timely manner with the doctor's support. The HCMS can help the member find a doctor if necessary.

Q: What will the HCMS be asking the absent plan member when they call?

The HCMS will gather basic information such as name, phone number, last date worked and information about why the member is absent. The HCMS will also tell the member they will receive a JEIS package.

Q: Is there an opportunity to provide feedback to the PEBT on the JEIS program?

Yes! Each member who is reported absent and contacted by Desjardins will have the opportunity to complete an independent evaluation form to provide feedback to the PEBT regarding the JEIS program. In addition, issues and concerns raised by the union or district should be communicated to the District Joint JEIS Committee, which is made up of union and district appointees who provide feedback to the PEBT JEIS/LTD Committee.