Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AndyD on May 2, 2012 at 4:44am

Well I have just recently gotten a new job, and they cover my diabetic costs 100% and I had the condition before I got there.

Permalink Reply by AndyD on May 2, 2012 at 7:25am

ya it always depends on the condition, they wont cover me for long or short term on anything heart related because I have already had a heat attack..but they do cover my drugs without issue

Permalink Reply by RobAW on May 2, 2012 at 6:43am

I know in Canada, Ontario anyways, you cannot ask health related questions at job interviews, and in fact, legislation is getting tougher all the time regarding discriminating against people with disabilities for any job (not that I consider being diabetic a disability as it certainly hasn't slowed me down any).Google AODA (Acessability for Ontarioans with Disabilities Act) and you will see - it's very tough legislation. I have never been denyed any benefits coverage from any employer I've ever had and I'm almost certain that at least in Ontario, you can't be. The only time I've had any difficulty is with life insurance companies, and thats another story altogether and not work related. I wouldn't worry too much about being denyed employee benefits, in Canada anyways.

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on May 2, 2012 at 10:23am

It really depends on the plan. I work in group benefits on a plan for a policy covering approximately 500 members. This particular plan requires mandatory participation by all new hires. Drugs and dental are covered for all members, however STD and LTD will not cover a pre-existing condition if the member makes an STD claim within 12 months of enrolment in the plan that is, in any way, related to the pre-existing condition.

I am also aware of plans where pre-existing conditions exclude coverage for everything. For example our local medical centre enrolled all doctors and staff in an association plan. A child of one of the employees has juvenile arthritis, and nothing, drugs included, is covered for that child's pre-existing medical condition.

RobAW's comment that in Ontario an employer cannot ask health related questions at an interview is valid, but the issue is far more complex than who can ask what. If I interview for a job with a new employer that offers group benefits, and I want to ensure that my son's pre-existing condition will be covered for drugs and supplies, I don't have any course of action that I can take, to find out whether or not my son would be covered for certain, without asking the question.

Permalink Reply by RobAW on May 2, 2012 at 11:49am

Thanks for clarifying, Cheryl. It most certainly would depend on the plan and can be very complicated. Our plan does not exclude anyone from STD, LTD, or drug coverage - It's a pretty good plan. And while the medical questions can't normally be asked at an interview for getting hired (other than job specific ones like pilots, heavy equipment operatots, etc where safety is a factor) it could be an issue depending on the plan and/or benefits carrier. I guess asking for a copy of the benefits coverage and reviewing it very closely before signing on would be a prudent thing to do.

I know some plans have a grace period that allow you to sign up for benefits before a certain date without medical and if you miss that date or refuse benefits at first then try and sign up later, a detailed medical profile is required and coverage can be denyed by the carrier.

You are definitaely right, benefits can be complicated matter. I've been pretty lucky so far.