We are sad to inform you of an unfortunate situation that is delaying Winter 2021 Sessional Faculty and Hourly-Rated Sessional Music Faculty (Unit 2) members’ ability to access dental coverage this term.
Due to pandemic quarantine measures, the dental deduction and enrollment for Unit 2 members who did not teach in the Fall 2020 term has been delayed until later in March. We anticipate that the $170 single coverage deduction will occur in mid- to late March, and the dental upload will be complete in mid-April.
Please note that this delay will not impact your entitlement to dental benefits. It will only delay when claims will be paid out and when you can create an online profile on Equitable Life’s website. As long as you did not opt-out of dental coverage, you will still be able to submit claims retroactive to September 1, 2020, and have eligible expenses paid out once the upload is complete. (The eligibility period still ends on August 31, 2021, regardless of whether or not you are teaching in the Spring/Summer 2021 term.)
This delay should only impact members who did not pay dental premiums in the fall. Also, it should not impact members who have opted out of the coverage either in the Fall 2020 or Winter 2021 term (you should not see a dental deduction of $170 at all this academic year on your pay statement).
We will update members as soon as we have additional information regarding when the single dental deduction will occur and when the coverage is up-and-running.
We are very sorry for this unexpected delay and appreciate your patience and compassion.
Sincerely,
Your CUPE 3906 Executive Committee