No. 332 - May 12, 2010

To: Participating Boards in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario
From: Howard Van Mersbergen, Executive Secretary-Treasurer

Occupational Coverage Overview - What are your school's needs?

Eligibility - Is provincial coverage voluntary or mandatory?

Integration with CSI Insurance Plan Benefits - Benefits are integrated with individual coverage levels

Cost and Enrollment for Occupational Coverage, Part-time Employees - Coverage for employees who are not covered by the CSI Insurance Plan

Occupational Coverage for Co-op Students - Low annual cost for coverage

Liability Insurance - A note of caution

Contacting CSI for Support - Contact CSI if you have questions or need assistance

Occupational Coverage Overview

Some schools have declined to opt into occupational injury coverage through their provincial workers’ compensation plans. This may occur where provincial workers’ compensation plans exclude or exempt a class of employees or employers from coverage, but allows the employees or employers to opt into coverage.

Although the CSI Canada Insurance Plan (the “CSI Plan”) covers occupational claims for participants (and offers additional coverage for staff working less than half time in those schools that have opted out of workers’ compensation), each of you should determine your own school’s particular needs in deciding whether to obtain coverage through workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation coverage extends far beyond just wage loss benefits. Workers’ compensation includes lump sum permanent disability or death benefits, lump sum funeral expenses, physical, vocational or social rehabilitation services, medical aid and other benefits such as transportation.

Each provincial Board has a website you can review:

Alberta: http://www.wcb.ab.ca
Manitoba: http://www.wcb.mb.ca/
Ontario: http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/home_e

The CSI Plan coverage is not as generous as workers’ compensation. Schools considering opting out of workers’ compensation should also consider that employees and dependents will re-acquire the right to sue their employer for injuries sustained in the workplace.

Eligibility

Schools in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario may opt into provincial workers’ compensation coverage where a class of employees or employers are excluded or exempt from coverage. In all other provinces participation is mandatory under the provincial workers’ compensation legislation.
Provincial workers’ compensation legislation determines whether all employees at a school or only certain classes of employees may be covered under the CSI Plan.
Appendix A summarizes the workers’ compensation opt-out and opt-in provisions by province. We recommend that any school giving consideration to opting out of or opting into workers’ compensation first contact their province’s local workers’ compensation office to confirm the current requirements and determine if a financial penalty may be assessed,
 

Integration with CSI Insurance Plan Benefits

Benefits currently provided for non-occupational claims through CSI are extended to cover occupational injury claims if the school has opted out of workers’ compensation. Benefits that are extended include Medical, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability.

The CSI Plan provides a program that is comprehensive, but not as all-encompassing as workers’ compensation. The scope of the benefits is dependent on whether the employee is insured in CSI’s Standard Benefit Plan, the Limited Benefit Plan or has opted out of CSI benefits. For those in the Flexible Benefits Plan, the medical plan reimbursement level depends on whether the employee is in Option 1, 2 or 3. The following table illustrates what benefits apply to each group of employees:
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Cost and Enrollment for Occupational Coverage, Part-time Employees

If your school has opted out of workers’ compensation, the premium for coverage of part-time staff (not covered by the CSI Insurance Plan and working less than half time) is 0.27% of salary in Ontario, and 0.25% in all other provinces. This premium will be invoiced monthly (salary multiplied by 0.0027 or 0.0025 and divided by 12). For example, if you have two part-time employees that together earn $30,000 annually, the monthly premium is $6.75 in Ontario, and $6.25 in all other provinces.

Schools that wish to enrol for this coverage should complete the form provided in Appendix B. Your coverage will become effective upon notification from CSI, and you will pay the rates noted previously.

 

Occupational Coverage for Co-op Students

Co-op students who are not paid are not covered by the co-op employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These students are covered by the school’s workers’ compensation insurance, if it is in place. If your school has opted out of workers’ compensation, your co-op students have no coverage for accidents that occur during their work assignments. CSI has arranged an occupational benefit coverage option that your school can elect if you have opted out of workers’ compensation.

The coverage includes:

The cost for this coverage is $25 per student, which provides coverage for the named student for the academic year. Schools that wish to enrol for this coverage should contact CSI.

Liability Insurance

Schools covered under the provincial workers’ compensation benefits are exempt from legal action taken by employees for work related injuries. Schools that are not protected by workers’ compensation are exposed to such legal action. The CSI Plan does not include occupational liability insurance for legal action taken by employees against their school. It is the responsibility of each school to ensure that liability protection is adequate to protect against the potential liabilities of such legal action.
We strongly recommend that you review existing liability coverage with your casualty carrier to ensure its adequacy.

Contacting CSI for Support

More information about CSI’s benefit plans is located on our web site at http://www.CSIonline.org. Select Employee Benefits and the appropriate plan. If you have questions, contact Bonnie Hofmann by phone at 877-274-8796, ext. 230 or by email at .

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