Date: December 9, 2005
To: Heads of Human Resources
Chiefs of Compensation
Subject: Direct Fund Transfer Services for the Public Service Dental Care Plan
Members of the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) were informed earlier this year that they now have access, via
the Internet, to their personal account at The Great-West Life Assurance Company of Canada (GWL), the Plan Administrator
for the PSDCP. The available on-line service includes claim information for Members and their covered family members.
Effective December 1, 2005 this feature will also include the option of direct deposit for claims payments.
To take advantage of this option, you have two choices:
- You can register on-line at the GWL site: http://www.greatwestlife.com/001/Home/index.htm and provide the banking
information where you want the claims payments deposit to occur. An e-mail address will be required for notification
that your Explanation of Benefits (EoB) statement is available on-line. Once you register on-line, a paper version
of the EoB will no longer be sent to your home address. Take note that if your e-mail address changes, it is your
responsibility to advise GWL without delay. This information can be updated on-line.
- You can download a paper copy of the registration form from the GWL site: http://www.greatwestlife.com/001/Home/index.htm
or get in touch with the GWL call centre (toll free numbers listed below) that will provide you with a paper copy to
register « manually ». This will allow you to take advantage of the direct fund transfer option, while
still receiving at your home address, a paper version of the Explanation of Benefits statement of your claims
payments.
An access ID and password are necessary to enter the website to access your personal account. You will need to choose
them when you first register on-line with GWL.
Once again, steps have been taken to ensure that the on-line services offered by Great-West Life are compliant with
privacy legislation and that the confidentiality of on-line transactions is protected through the use of strong security
technology. The website provides complete information on the measures taken by GWL to protect privacy. The Plan
Administrator has appointed an individual within the company to receive and resolve privacy complaints.
The Plan Administrator has put controls in place to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete and
up-to-date. If a member sees that his or her personal information is inaccurate, the website contains clear information
on how to correct the error(s).
This new on-line service for the PSDCP is completely optional for all employees. Whether plan members choose to
activate their on-line account or not, will have no impact on their plan benefits or services they receive from the Plan
Administrator, GWL.
Practical reminders regarding the Public Service Dental Care Plan
- The Plan will reimburse recall exams, cleaning and polishing, topical application of fluoride and bitewing X-rays
only once every 9 months, which is calculated from the exact date of the previous service. This information is
available when you access your on-line account or if you phone the GWL call center.
- Treatment plans are strongly recommended when a treatment is expected to cost more than $300. Take note that the remarks
included on the Pre-determination of Benefits statement provided by the Plan Administrator are part of the Treatment
Plan assessment and must be read in conjunction with any amounts approved.
- The current calendar year maximum reimbursement limit for 2005, excluding orthodontic services is $1500 per
person. If you or your dependents become eligible for coverage on or after July 1st, the maximum
reimbursement will be $750 for that year. It would be to your advantage to keep track of your reimbursements and to
know how much is remaining in the current year when planning your dental appointments, as these limits are not
exceeded under any circumstances. This information is available when you access your on-line account or if you
phone the call center.
- Claims must be submitted within fifteen (15) months of the date the service was incurred in order for
reimbursement to be made. Each claim for monthly orthodontic services must also be submitted within fifteen (15)
months of the date of each visit.
- As a member of the plan, it is your responsibility to be aware of the terms of the plan prior to treatment. Be
sure to have the plan and ID number ready when calling the Plan Administrator at one of the toll-free numbers shown
below.
- Dental claims submitted electronically by dental offices with respect to routine services will be adjudicated
electronically by the Plan Administrator, if the required information is on file. The dental office will provide you
with a copy of the Explanation of Benefits statement during your visit. Unless you have assigned payment to your
dental provider, this will not affect your option made for the direct fund transfer as indicated above.
- You need to inform your dental office of any change of address and to confirm the student status of children
between the ages of 21 and 25. It will ensure your personal information on file is maintained up-to-date.
Inquiries and paper claims should be directed to Great-West Life at the following addresses:
For Canadian residents outside Québec, for the National Capital Region and members posted outside Canada:
Winnipeg Benefit Payments
PO Box 6025, Station Main
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 3C7
Call Centres:
Toll free line: 1-800-957-9777
(Services in French and English)
Phone: (204) 942-3589
TTY line for the deaf or hard of hearing:
Toll free line: 1-800-990-6654
Phone: (204) 946-7281
For Québec residents, other than in the National Capital Region:
Montréal Benefit Payment Office
Place Bonaventure, Suite 5800
800 de la Gauchetière Street West
Montréal, Québec
H5A 1B9
Call Centres:
Toll free line: 1-800-663-2817
(Services in French and English)
Phone: (514) 878-1288
TTY line for the deaf or hard of hearing:
Toll free line: 1-800-990-6654
Phone: (204) 946-7281
Phil Charko
Assistant Secretary
Pensions and Benefits Sector
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