What is Retire Alberta Retire Alberta is the
What is Retire Alberta? Retire Alberta is the opportunity for retired First Responders and Public Sector workers to enjoy benefits similar to what they enjoyed when they were employed It will also provide deals and special rates for members as well as job and volunteer opportunities.
History of the Benefit Plan Retired firefighters in Calgary were looking for a benefit plan for when their City Retiree benefits ended at age 65 They attended a few presentations and explored individual coverage but most options were either too expensive or not enough coverage Retired firefighter, Doug Chern, approached Puhl Employee Benefits Inc who he knew had provided quality benefit coverage in the past to other groups Benefit plans were explored and Group Medical Services (GMS) was chosen to provide the group benefit as they were a well established Not For Profit Company with a good reputation and would provide group benefits to Non. Employer Groups like Associations The CFDPA plan was formed and began in August of 2014 and had over a 100 members before the first year was up In 2016, the Calgary Police Veteran’s Association had a sister plan and was also grew to over a 100 members in the first year Calls from other departments and retired workers prompted the expansion of the plan to include all First Responders and Public Sector workers across Alberta to begin in February of 2019
Who is ? Group Medical Services was founded in Saskatchewan in 1949 Was originally a Blue Cross in Regina – each provincial Blue Cross is a different company In 2003, GMS expanded it’s coverage to more of Canada GMS' products are currently available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Their goal is to offer Canadians choices and real value in health and travel insurance. This combination of tradition and innovation has been, and will continue to be, Group Medical Services GMS also gives back to the communities they serve and are proud supporters of initiatives such as STARS Air Ambulance David Roberts is the regional representative for GMS in Alberta
Plan Administrators Puhl Employee Benefits Inc is the plan administrator for Retire Alberta and has a long history of working with GMS David Puhl and Lorna Phelps own Puhl Employee Benefits Inc and they have a number of dedicated employees that can get you set up on the plan or get you questions answered and concerns resolved. They also provide financial planning, life insurance, Private Health Services Plans (PHSPs), and other travel coverages if required. Doug Chern works independently as a plan liaison and can answer any plan questions and assist with concerns.
Who can join? Any retired Alberta First Responder or Public sector worker can join Can be retired from Police, Fire, EMS, AHS, UNA, AUPE, CUPE, ATA, AISCA or any of the following pension plans LAPP, PSPP, SFPP, MEPP, ATRF If you now live outside of Alberta, you can join as long as you belong to any free government prescription and/or benefit plan in your province of residence Some members lose their benefits as soon as they retire and can join immediately as there is now both an “Under 65” and “ 65 and Over” plan There are no plan restrictions, pre-existing condition concerns*, or medical questionnaires if you transfer from another plan within 60 days or sign up during an Open Enrollment period * Travel coverage requires stability for 180 days (under 75) or 365 days (over 75) for any condition to be covered
Benefits The benefit plan is designed to be similar to the plans members enjoyed while working with a good overall coverage and an affordable premium. Travel coverage was also identified as an important part of coverage and a balance was struck to have an extended length of trip coverage at 60 days per trip. Feedback is also important and the plan has been improved in areas where the members felt more coverage was needed.
Coverage
Coverage details Prescriptions are covered first by your provincial senior plan and then by Retire Alberta – just provide your card to the pharmacy In Alberta, if you are over 65 the Seniors plan should cover most of the prescription with a maximum payable of $25 (for listed prescriptions) and Retire Alberta will cover 80% of your portion (ie. $20 of $25) If your prescription is not on the list (non-formulary) Retire Alberta will cover 80% of the LCA (Least Cost Alternative or generic) version of the prescription up to the annual max Retire Alberta also works with Innovicares that provides top-up coverage for members that want certain brand name prescriptions instead of the generics If your out of pocket prescription costs are more than $300 a month and you are under 65 you can apply for Non-Group prescription coverage to get more of your costs covered
Coverage details Dental coverage is provided and based on the Alberta Fee Guide Paramedical coverage – Chiro, massage, etc is the best coverage amongst comparables and covered to a max of $60 per visit for all specialists except Naturopaths and Psychologists which are $75 per visit - $400 per specialty – referrals prescriptions? Vision coverage periods start from first claim – eye tests under 65 covered to customary fee – over 65 in Alberta are free Hearing aids - $500 every three year and should be coordinated with WCB and Aids to Daily Living for most claims – audiologist referred CPAP $500 every 5 years – proof of prescription required
Travel Coverage Emergency travel coverage for unlimited trips up to 60 days Will reset on return to Canada Travel coverage requires stability for 180 days (under 75) or 365 days (over 75) for any condition to be covered Issues which were stable are covered – can phone GMS Travel Department to clarify coverage – the worst part of Travel Coverage is not being sure if you are covered or just assuming you are Doctors do not decide if you are stable! – they don’t reimburse expenses, the insurance plan does! Top-up coverage for travel available from GMS Travel. Star (Plan #1023241)– all Travel Insurance should be from one provider – refund of unused insurance Trip Cancellation available GMS is typically in top three regarding cost and coverage when comparing to other travel plan providers
Travel Restrictions High risk, self-inflicted, alcohol or drug related events are not covered and only MVA if no other insurance coverage pays
Benefit Premiums
More Information - Questions www. Retire. Alberta. com Shannon at 1 -888 -508 -0077 or 403 -221 -9300 or Shannon@Retire. Alberta. com Doug at 1 -844 -5565 or Doug@Retire. Alberta. com Group Medical Services Group Claims or Travel Coverage Questions 1 -800 -667 -3699 Travel Claims 1 -800 -459 -6604 Outside Canada and US 1 -905 -762 -5196 Email info@gms. ca
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