Part X: Health Benefits
| Hydro One, through its claims services provider, shall provide extended health benefits and dental coverage as outlined in the brochure entitled "Health and Dental Plan for Society (effective January 1, 2002)" (dated March 19, 2003) as amended pursuant to Section 48.4 and in accordance with the insurance carrier contract in effect at the commencement of the collective agreement. This does not in any way restrict the Employer's right to change the insurance carrier provided employee benefits are unaffected. | |
| 48 | EXTENDED HEALTH BENEFITS (EHB) |
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| 48.1 | Hydro One agrees to offer employees the option of using the Preferred Vision Services (PVS) Plan, subject to its availability. |
| 48.2 | Subject to the written consent of the Society, on a case by case and without prejudice basis, Hydro One and individual employees may enter into written agreements ("individual agreements") whereby, for a specified duration, the employees may waive their rights under the EHB Plan and opt for a different/alternative treatment. This enabling provision does not constitute an employee entitlement to different/alternative treatments but rather allows special requests to be accommodated by mutual agreement without increasing the costs of, or entitlements under, the EHB Plan. Neither the provisions of these individual agreements nor the decision by any party not to enter into such an arrangement are grievable. |
| 48.3 |
A joint team will examine and make recommendations on the administration of employee benefits, including cost management of the plans, and for presenting data on employee benefits items as assigned by the parties. This joint team will provide a forum for dialogue on employee benefits during the term of the renewed Collective Agreement. The team shall consist of three representatives and one staff resource from each party plus additional resources as may be needed from time to time.
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| 48.4 |
The health an dental plan and associated brochure shall be amended to include provision for the following changes; Increase vision care to $425 every two years effective April 1, 2005, to $450 every two years effective April 1, 2007, to $475 every two years effective January 1, 2009 and to $500 every two years effective January 1, 2011. Coverage of food supplement products like Nutramigen for children and like Ensure and Boost for adults. Coverage of incontinence products for cancer patients. Language will be added to the Benefit Book to reflect the following: Pensioners and surviving spouses of pensioners who enter into marriage or common-law marriage are precluded from adding their new spouse and/or new children as dependents on the Hydro One Health and Dental Plan. Surviving spouses of employees who enter into marriage or common-law marriage are precluded from adding their new spouse and/or new children as dependents on the Hydro One and Dental Plan. |
| 49 | DENTAL PLAN |
| 49.1 | Effective January 1st of each year of the collective agreement, the dentist fees will be paid up to the amounts shown in the current Ontario Dental Association (ODA) Fee Guide. |
| 50 | SEMI-PRIVATE HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION PLAN |
| Coverage under the Semi-Private Hospital Accommodation Plan is unchanged. | |
| 51 | PERSONAL ACCIDENTS |
| 51.1 | Hydro One shall pay accident benefits to employees for accidental bodily injury causing temporary total disability, permanent total disability or death in accordance with the current Table of Personal Accident Benefits. |
| 51.2 | Hydro One shall reimburse employees for medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident in excess of coverage provided by the Hydro One health benefits plans, OHIP or WSIB to the extent permitted by law |