Health, Safety, and Wellness

The position of the OSSTF ELHT is that if an eligible permanent member has different work schedules by semester, that employers report the members eligibility on a semester basis.

For example, if a contract teacher who is in a 0.5 FTE position and works 1.0 one semester and no duties for the other, they are eligible for participation in the OSSTF Benefits Plan for the entire school year.  If the member elects to participate in the health and/or dental benefits during semester while they are working 1.0 duties, they would be responsible for paying 6% of the health and/or dental premium costs.  During the semester not working, but still in the 0.5 FTE permanent position but with no active duties, the member would remain eligible for participation in the OSSTF Benefits plan but would be responsible for paying 100% of the premium.  

Similarly for a contract teacher who is in a 0.5 FTE position and works .333 one semester and .667 the other, if the member elects to participate in the health and/or dental benefits while working .333 duties they would be responsible for paying 66.7% + 6% of the premium costs. If the member elects to participate during the second semester while working .667 duties, they would be responsible to pay 33.3% + 6% of the health and/or dental premium costs.

For active duties in a newly eligible position or an increase in FTE, the eligible member has 31 days from receiving the invite from OTIP to elect to participate in the health and/or dental benefits without late applicant restrictions.  The member has the option of changing their coverage when there is a change in their FTE.  If a member’s FTE decreases, the member can opt out of benefits, but the decrease in the members FTE does not open a new enrolment opportunity.  If a member does not participate in the health and/or dental benefits within 31 days of receiving the invite for a newly eligible position or an increase in FTE, a new enrolment opportunity will not be available until there is a new life change event.  A life change event includes an increase in FTE, a newly eligible dependent, a loss of spousal coverage, etc.  New application would have to be made within 31 days of the life change event.  If this 31 day deadline is not met, the member’s application for participation in the health and/or dental benefits would be processed as a late applicant.  As a late applicant, dental coverage is subject to a maximum of $200 for the first 12 months of coverage and health care coverage would only be implemented if evidence of insurability (statement of health) were submitted and approved.  If the evidence of insurability is approved, the coverage would be implemented on the date of approval.  The evidence of insurability for members and/or their dependents could be denied.

Unless the member retires or resigns prior to the end of the school year, eligibility and member contributions for the summer months will be based on the permanent member’s status at the last day of the school year.  

There is the understanding that this is being handled differently by some boards/school authorities who are reporting FTE on an annualized basis. OSSTF Benefits is working with OTIP, who is working with the boards/school authorities to have FTEs reported on a semester basis.  With currently changing school schedules due to COVID-19, there is awareness that not all boards are able to accommodate the semester reporting at this time.  

If you have any questions, or require assistance in this regard, please contact Donna Morrison at donna.morrison@osstfbenefits.ca.