With the recently signed new Teachers’ Provincial Agreement, comes new insurance benefits for members.
Your NSTU Group Insurance Trustees are pleased to confirm that the following benefits have been added to the Total Care Medical plan retroactive to August 1, 2019:
To get a better understanding of the new benefits, when they are available to you and how to submit claims, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Q: With the new Teachers’ Provincial Agreement now signed, when will the new benefits be effective?
A: Anytime there is a change to our benefit plan or a new benefit is added, Medavie Blue Cross must work behind the scenes to map these changes and update their systems to accommodate the new benefits. Given the number of new benefits and the size of our group, Medavie Blue Cross required approximately 6 weeks to update their systems. We are pleased to confirm that the new benefits went live effective March 4, 2021, and are now available to members!
Q: When and how can I start to submit claims for these new benefits?
A: You can start to submit claims for the new benefits now, retroactive to August 1, 2019. The current process to submit claims remains unchanged; however, if you previously submitted claims for the new benefits and were declined or your claims payments were reduced based on previous benefit maximums, your claims will automatically be re-processed by Medavie Blue Cross based on the claims reporting information they have on file.
The Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and Supplies benefit will fall under the prescription drug benefit and claims will be processed via your Medavie Blue Cross drug card at the pharmacy. Please note, for members and eligible spouses who are age 65 and who do not have drug coverage under the Total Care Medical plan, you can still use your Medavie Blue Cross card at the pharmacy for CGM and related claims.
Q: Is there a deadline to submit claims for these new benefits retroactive to August 1, 2019?
A: Under normal circumstances, the claim submission deadline for the NSTU Group Insurance Plan is 12 months from the date of the expense. However, plan members will have until July 31, 2021 to submit claims for the new benefits retroactive to August 1, 2019, even though they may be more than 12 months old. Retroactive claims older than 12 months submitted beyond this date will not be accepted.
In order to be eligible to submit claims for the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and Supplies benefit, you must be insulin-dependent. Plan members who do not have drug coverage through Medavie Blue Cross will be required to provide proof of insulin dependence which can be provided through their pharmacy. Members will be able to submit claims for the CGM benefit without this proof until July 31, 2021, but beyond this date, CGM and related claims will be declined without proof of insulin dependence.
Q: What is covered under the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) System benefit?
A: This benefit gives you easy access to the latest technology to closely monitor your blood sugar levels. It provides coverage for both Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Flash Monitoring Systems (FMS), equipment and supplies including readers, receivers, transmitters and sensors.
Q: What is a Cochlear Implant?
A: Medavie Blue Cross defines a cochlear implant as a behind the ear speech processor (surgically implanted into the bone) or a body worn speech processor (not surgically implanted). This new benefit provides coverage for cochlear implant upgrades (new speech processor, cable, headpiece, batteries, charger, remote) as well as other parts and accessories.
Should you have any additional questions regarding the new benefits, please contact Johnson at (902) 453-9543 or 1-800-453-9543, or email them at nstu@johnson.ca.
To review these new benefits or the many other benefits and programs available to you through the NSTU Group Insurance Plan, please visit our website at www.nstuinsurance.ca.