Registration
Generally speaking, when someone begins to work at a new
job or for a new organization,
the group plan administrator,
who may be a human resources
employee or an employee benefits
specialist, gets in touch with
the person and explains the
various coverage options offered. The person normally
then registers for the plan at
that time.
Please note that employers offering an insurance plan are not required to cover all their employees and the plan may have eligibility requirements. For example, the plan may exclude part-time, temporary or contractual employees, or may cease to cover those who become eligible for retirement.
However, no one may be denied
prescription drug coverage under
a private plan because of any
risk the person may represent due
to age, sex or state of health,
nor may anyone's
spouse or
children be denied coverage on
the same grounds.
Persons who fulfill the
eligibility requirements of a
private plan must join that
plan, unless they are already
covered by another private plan,
such as their spouse's plan.
Specifically, they must obtain
at least the prescription drug
coverage offered by that plan,
although most plans do not allow
anyone to register for that coverage only.
If the employer offers a private plan
The employees are required to join that plan, unless they can prove that they are covered by another private plan (another group insurance or employee benefit plan). They can do so by providing the employer with one of the following documents:
- a photocopy of their group insurance card;
- a form filled out by their spouse's employer, or an official letter from that employer on the company's or organization's letterhead;
- a letter or certificate from another employer or from the professional association or order to which they belong.
The employer will have to deduct the amount of the premium from the remuneration of employees who are unable to provide this proof.
Do you need to register for or deregister from the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan because you are now eligible for a private plan? The Régie invites you to do so online (if your family situation and age allow you to use this service).
Waiting period
An insurer sometimes imposes a
waiting period when someone begins
to work at a new job or for a new
organization. A waiting period is a
period during which an employee is
not eligible for the group insurance
offered. For example, the insurer
may require an employee to work a
minimum number of hours before
joining the plan.
Persons who are subject to a waiting
period need to make sure they have
coverage under another plan during
that period. They must therefore
check whether they are immediately
eligible for another private plan,
such as their spouse's plan or the
one offered by a professional order
or association to which they belong.
As a last resort, they must
register for the public plan,
administered by the Régie de
l'assurance maladie du Québec, or
remain registered for it throughout
the waiting period.
