Being Temporarily Absent From
Work
Being temporarily absent from
work usually means being on
unpaid leave, maternity leave or
sick leave, or being temporarily
laid off (for example, in the
case of seasonal workers). In
this type of situation, the
employment relationship with the
employer is maintained during
the employee's absence from work.
Persons who are temporarily
absent from work and whose
employer continues to offer them
a prescription drug insurance
plan usually remain covered by
the same plan, as explained in
detail below.
When the employer offers a
private plan
Employees who are temporarily
absent from work must, during
their absence, retain at least
the prescription drug coverage
of the employer's private plan
if the employer offers them that
possibility. They are also required to obtain coverage under the employer's private plan for their spouse and children, unless their spouse and children are already covered by another private plan. Neither the employees nor their
spouse or children are eligible
for the public plan,
administered by the Régie.
Persons whose employer does not
offer private plan coverage to
its employees who are
temporarily absent from work
(for example, when they are laid
off) must determine whether they
are eligible for another private
plan.
Although persons usually are
eligible for a private plan
through employment, they may be
eligible for another private
plan through their spouse. In
fact, persons who are covered by
a private plan are required to
obtain coverage under it for
their spouse. They can also be
eligible for this type of plan
through membership in a
professional order or
association to which they
belong.
Persons who are eligible for a
private plan must join that
plan, at least for the
prescription drug portion.
Prescription drug coverage is
most often included in a plan
covering other health care (called
a health insurance plan),
but is sometimes offered alone.
Persons who are not eligible for a
private plan must
register for the public plan
by contacting the Régie.
When the employer does not
offer a private plan
Persons covered by the public
plan who are temporarily absent
from their work remain covered
by that plan. They therefore
have no steps to take.
