Category: Red Book

The basic group life insurance is equal to three times annual earnings to a maximum of $300,000.

The maximum benefit reduces by $20,000 on the July 1^st coincident with or next following the employee’s attainment of age 61 (and each subsequent July 1^st until age 65, inclusive). The maximum benefit further reduces by $30,000 on each subsequent July 1^st and coverage terminates upon attainment of age 70, or earlier retirement.

In the case of an employee without dependents, this benefit will be paid to your estate or designated beneficiary.

In the case of an employee with dependents, the benefit will be paid as follows:

• A lump sum equivalent to one year’s salary at time of death will be paid to the designated beneficiary.
• The other 2/3 of benefit will be paid in equal installments over a 24-month period. At the end of the 24-month period, the survivor benefit will commence. This provides a benefit to the spouse of 25% of the employee’s earnings at time of death, plus an additional 5% for each dependent child, to a maximum of 3 children. Benefits payable to the surviving spouse will cease at age 65, remarriage or death, whichever is earliest. The maximum age for dependent children is 18 years or 22 years of age if attending an accredited university or college on a full-time basis. The dependent children’s benefit will not be affected in the event of remarriage or death of the surviving spouse.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance provides coverage for permanent full time employees in amount equal to three times annual earnings. Coverage in varying amounts is provided for loss of hands, feet, arms, legs, sight and hearing.

 

The University of King’s College, as a participating member of Interuniversity Services, Inc. (ISI), has formed a partnership with SSQ/Beneva Insurance Group to offer Excess Medical (Travel) Insurance to employees who meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility of Insurance:

All participating members, their Spouses and Dependent Children must be covered under a Canadian federal and/or provincial health and hospitalization insurance plan and must show proof of enrolment into a major medical group policy.

IMPORTANT:

SSQ/Beneva Insurance Group should be contacted before seeking medical care or they must be notified within 48 hours of an emergency. Claims may be reduced if contact is not made with SSQ/Beneva Financial Group within 48 hours of admission to hospital.

If you need a copy of the Excess Medical (Travel) Brochure and/or your Membership Card, please drop by the Bursar’s Office and speak with the Payroll & Benefits Specialist.

Forms:

Consent to Collect, Use and Disclose Personal Information Form (doc)

Inpatriate/Expatriate Medical & Extended Health Claim Form (doc)

SSQ/Beneva Insurance Group is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any medical, travel or personal emergency. If a member becomes ill or injured, call SSQ/Beneva Financial Group at one of the following numbers which are shown on the Membership Card:

1-866-783-9473
(toll free from USA and Canada)

1-514-285-8195
(from outside USA and Canada, call collect via operator. You must dial the country code (1-514) before the telephone number)

Be prepared to give the following information when you call:

• the name of the person calling, telephone # and relationship to the Insured Person;
• the Insured Person’s name, location, ID and Policy Number
• the condition of the Insured Person and the nature of the emergency;
• Name, location and telephone # of the hospital;
• Name, location and telephone # of treating physician.

At University of King’s College, we are committed to supporting our employees’ mental health and well-being. We are thrilled to share that on 2025-07-01, in addition to our current Telemedicine program, we are launching a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through GreenShield Health, aimed at providing you with access to an ecosystem of services to support the health of you and your family.

Our enhanced program now includes access to the following services:

EAP

Whether you’re facing mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, or depression — or navigating the everyday complexities of life — our new EAP offering, available through GreenShield Health’s platform GreenShield+ (GS+), will provide accessible and personalized care across the health spectrum for 5 hours of counselling for you and your dependants, plus 5 hours of couples therapy.

In addition, you and your dependants have access to unlimited Financial and Legal Consultation, and 5 hours of (each) Work, Health, and Life transition services, including consultations with registered nurses, dieticians, career coaches and more.

GreenShield Health’s EAP provides ongoing access to secure support from the counsellor who best suits your needs and experts who can help you reach your total well-being goals. Accessing support is simple and convenient. Therapy sessions are easily booked online and delivered through GreenShield Health’s secure and encrypted platform by video or phone.

GreenShield Health’s EAP is confidential, voluntary, and accessible at your convenience.

Indigenous Mental Health

GreenShield has partnered with Noojimo, the first and only all-Indigenous virtual mental

wellness clinic, to support the wellness needs of Indigenous Peoples (First Nation, Inuit, Métis) across Canada. As a trusted Indigenous-owned company, Noojimo collaborates closely with partners to eliminate access barriers to culturally safe care. With relationships to over 150 Indigenous communities, individuals have access to their services in rural, remote, and urban communities across Canada. Noojimo’s programs honour and incorporate traditional Indigenous pathways of care through a digital platform, highlighting the ongoing innovation and inner strength of Indigenous Peoples (First Nation, Inuit, Métis).

Children’s Mental Health

Children’s Mental Health Program through GreenShield+ is aimed at providing you with access to an at-home, clinically validated care program that is fun for your kids. Through our partnership with Mightier, you will have access to the Mightier Kid App which  includes their full suite of 25+ games, Offline Family Programming with Kid focused activities,  a companion caregiver app, and more!

Self Guided Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

GreenShield Health’s Digital CBT is an online program that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression achieve their wellness goals. Our interactive learning modules and tools help you develop positive coping strategies and reduce life-disrupting symptoms without waiting. Regular in-app reminders ensure you stay motivated on your CBT journey to reach your mental health goals.

Well-being Program Support

Many factors contribute to living a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. Our Well-being program offers support every step of the way, taking a holistic approach to help you achieve your unique health goals. Integrated into GreenShield+, the comprehensive program provides tools and resources for you and your dependents to navigate your specific care needs. Easily access personalized guidance on mental well-being, physical fitness, preventive healthcare, lifestyle choices, and more.

Personalized Care Navigation

We understand that everyone’s healthcare needs are unique, and finding the right services and resources can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our new Care Navigation tool simplifies this process by guiding you to the right place. Integrated into GreenShield+, the easy-to-use tool provides personalized recommendations aligned with your coverage, empowering you to make timely, informed health decisions and maximize your benefits.

Digital Pharmacy

GreenShield Health’s digital pharmacy offers personalized clinical services to help you and your dependants manage prescriptions, health, and pharmacy needs from the comfort of your home. The digital pharmacy allows you to connect with a pharmacist easily and provides fast and free medication delivery anywhere in Canada. You also have access to caregiver tools and chronic disease management.

Personalized Nutrition
GreenShield is proud to partner with RxFood to offer AI-powered personalized nutrition support. With the RxFood app, you take a photo of your meals over three days and automatically receive a detailed analysis of your eating habits. Our dietitians use this data to coach you with recommendations tailored to your health goals. You’ll come away with a customized plan that helps you build lasting healthy eating habits.

Telemedicine
Easily gain access to a new virtual telemedicine service. Access is instant with GreenShield Health’s network of doctors and unlimited visits are fully covered and available through the platform. This new benefit will allow you to connect with general practitioners via text message, audio or video chat, manage and store your medical records, receive medical advice, prescriptions and more.

Access your EAP 24/7 by phone, web or mobile app

Greenshieldplus.ca

For purposes of group medical and insurance benefits entitlement and administration, the following definitions of employment status are used:

Regular Full-Time

A Full-Time Employee is one who works not less than the normal hours per week in an established position and on a continuous basis (permanent), or in the case of a faculty member, one who holds a full-time appointment.

Regular Part-Time

A Regular Part-Time Employee is one who works less than full-time, but 50% or more of full-time in an established position, and based on a regular and predetermined schedule.

Part-Time Less Than 50%

A Part-Time Employee Less Than 50% is one who works less than 50% of full-time, in an established position, and based on a predetermined schedule.

Contract

A Contract Employee is an employee who holds a regular full-time, or a regular part-time position for a specific period of time.  The duration of employment is usually for a period of not less than one but not more than twelve months.  Contracts may provide the option for extension or renewal, but the employee’s status and eligibility for group medical and insurance benefits at initial employment is determined by the original contract period.

Temporary/Casual

A Temporary or Casual Employee is one who is employed in a job established for a specific and limited purpose, or for the duration of a specific project, or group of assignments, for example: Dons, Coaches, Markers, Teaching Assistants, Journalism – “Persons Retained From Outside”, and any part time assistance provided by students.

Eligibility for Group Benefits

Contract employees with contracts of eight months or longer, Regular Full Time, and Regular Part Time are covered by the mandatory benefit plans and are eligible to participate in the optional benefit plans.

Contract employees with contracts of less than eight months, Part Time Less Than 50%, and Temporary/Casual employees are not covered under the mandatory benefit plans and are not eligible for coverage under the optional benefit plans, but are covered under the Accident Medical Insurance Plan (students on Internships approved by the School of Journalism are also covered under the Accident Medical Insurance Plan).

All eligible full-time and part-time employees will be enrolled into the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP).

Please visit https://www.nspssp.ca/ for full details of the pension plan.

 

University faculty and staff who are employed on a permanent, full-time or a part-time basis (50% FTE or greater) may qualify for tuition assistance for one successfully completed work-related course each fiscal year provided that:

• • the course is not part of a degree requirement for the employee’s position at King’s;
  • the course is relevant to their employment at King’s;
  • the application is made and approval is given by the Programme/Department in advance of registration;
  • that the staff member has completed their probationary period or six months of continuous employment, whichever is longer and, in the case of faculty or administrative group members, upon appointment.

Time off to take courses under this program, where applicable, is not credited as hours worked. Staff may only take courses during working hours if the work requirements of the department can be met and they have authorization from their programme/department to do so.

Courses may be taken at another educational institution, professional association, or institute, etc. for professional development purposes.

The amount to be reimbursed shall be calculated in accordance with the current cost of a per term fee at King’s/Dalhousie, and fees may be partially or fully reimbursed subject to this calculation and the availability of funds within the programme/department’s budget for training.

Tuition assistance is generally considered a taxable benefit. However, in some cases when the course is very clearly job-related, as specified by Canada Revenue Agency, the course fee will not be considered a taxable benefit.

Staff PD and Tuition Assistance Waiver Form [PDF]

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dolly Morash, Payroll & Benefits Specialist and she will be able to direct your inquiry to the appropriate person. Dolly can be reached at (902) 422-1271, extension 220 or email: dolly.morash@ukings.ca

If you have any questions or concerns concerning the biweekly payroll, please contact the Payroll & Benefits Specialist in the Bursar’s Office. They can be reached at (902) 422-1271, extension 220 or at payroll@ukings.ca.

Compassionate care benefits are Employment Insurance (EI) benefits paid to people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill and who has a significant risk of death. A maximum of 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits may be paid to eligible people.

What is “care or support”?

• providing psychological or emotional support; or
• arranging for care by a third party; or
• directly providing or participating in the care.

Who is considered a family member?

You can receive compassionate care benefits for a variety of family members-both yours and those of your spouse or common-law partner. Please visit www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-compassionate.html for a full listing and more information.

 

Toll free phone number: 1-800-667-4511

Please have your identification number and policy number available when you are calling. These numbers can be found on your BlueCross health card.

Visit the Medavie BlueCross website at www.medavie.bluecross.ca.

All claims must be submitted online through the BlueCross website or you can mail in the claim to:

Claims Department
Medavie Blue Cross
PO Box 2200
Halifax, NS  B3J 3C6