Hospitals rely on many casual workers to keep everything running smoothly. These employees may not have any guaranteed hours per week and may be on call. They work as nurses, administrators, cleaners, and other essential positions within the hospital. Casual employees enjoy the same employment protections as their full-time counterparts, but they don’t receive health insurance. This means they could struggle to pay for their medical expenses, even though they work hard.
If you’re in this situation, you may think you don’t have access to any health insurance plans. While you aren’t eligible for your employer’s health insurance plan, you have other options. Here’s what you need to know about the health insurance plans that are available to you.
Voluntary Benefits for Casual Hospital Workers
Casual hospital workers aren’t eligible to join their employers’ group health insurance plans, unlike full-time employees.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get any benefits, though. There’s a different kind of benefits plan available for casual hospital workers, known as a voluntary benefits plan.
Voluntary benefits plans are offered through hospitals, but employees are responsible for signing up and paying their own premiums. Joining the plan is voluntary, but it’s a good way to get the benefits you need. Since it’s a group plan, you can get access to lower premiums than you would if you purchased an individual health insurance plan.
Plans for Employees under the Age of 65
Different health insurance plans are available to you based on your age. If you’re under the age of 65, you could apply for HCP’s Plan 2. This plan includes extended health care; basic or enhanced dental coverage is available as an optional add-on.
Extended health care helps you pay for some of the services that aren’t included in provincial health plans. This includes prescription drugs, private duty nursing services, vision care, and emergency transportation. It also includes paramedical services. Physiotherapy, speech therapy, podiatry, massage therapy, and similar services fall into this category. The coverage amounts for these services will vary at the Essential, Complete, and Optimum levels.
If you want dental insurance as well, you can choose to add it. Basic dental coverage includes services like recall examinations, cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Enhanced dental coverage includes major restorative services like dentures, crowns, and bridges.
Plans for Employees over the Age of 65
Employees over the age of 65 could apply for HCP’s 65+ plan. It covers extended health care, and optional dental coverage can be added, if you want it. The coverage maximums for these services will vary based on the coverage level you receive.
At the Essential level, prescription drugs aren’t covered by the plan, though many other extended health care services are included. If you want coverage for medications, you can apply for the Optimum level by submitting a Statement of Health.
How to Apply for Coverage
If you’re interested in applying for one of these health insurance plans, it’s as easy as just filling out an application form. All applicants need to fill out Form 1, the Group Enrollment Form. You’ll need to provide your basic information for enrollment, as well as basic information for your dependents. Original signatures are needed, so the forms must be printed and submitted by mail. Coverage at the Essential level is guaranteed.
Casual hospital employees who want to be considered for a higher level of coverage can also submit Form 2, the Statement of Health. On this form, you’ll provide information about your medical history and the medical histories of your dependents.
Health insurance plans are available for casual hospital workers of any age. If you’re ready to get voluntary coverage, fill out your application form today.
