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Yes. We are more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email at any time. 

The waiting period is the length of time you have to wait before your benefits become effective. Most plans have a 3 or 6 month waiting period. Consult your benefits booklet or Plan Administrator for the exact wait time of your benefits plan. 

Many carriers have online claim submission. If they do not you can submit a paper copy. Ask your Plan Administrator for a claim form. Most claim forms will have the mailing address on them. If not, your Plan Administrator will have the mailing address. Remember to make a copy of all forms and receipts before mailing in originals. 

This is necessary in order for the insurance companies to be able to offer a group plan to most small businesses. The reason for this guideline is to avoid what is called anti-selection. Anti-selection is where the unhealthy employees choose coverage, while the healthy employees do not. However, the rates would be completely unaffordable if only the people who needed the benefits were able to enroll. These guidelines allow the insurance companies to spread the risk and offer coverage to smaller businesses at low rates. It should be conveyed as a condition of employment from the beginning when new employees join your company. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

If you are comfortable dealing with the insurance carrier directly you may do so. If an issue goes unresolved, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Integrated Benefits will strive to address any unresolved issues or concerns that you or your employees may have. We are always more than happy to contact the insurance carrier on your behalf. 

A late applicant is an individual and/or dependents that try to enroll on a group benefits plan after the grace period (normally 31 days after effective date). A late applicant would need to complete satisfactory medical evidence in order to be eligible for the plan. Often, if the employee is denied, the benefit coverage will be limited for the first year. If the employee and/or dependents are denied, they will not be eligible for benefits throughout their duration of employment with that company. 

As of 1997, the Province of Alberta no longer has a Dental Fee Guide. As a result, insurers must develop their own guidelines and reimbursement limits for Alberta. Each guide will vary slightly from one another. The dentists will set their own costs for procedures, which results in some dentists charging more than the fee guide amount your plan covers. 

Group Insurance plans allow employers to offer a competitive edge over other employers in order to obtain quality employees. It also allows employees to have group insurance coverage at a much cheaper rate and better benefits than individual insurance plans.