Merit provides its members’ employees with a comprehensive and affordable medical, dental and insurance program. Administered by Mercon Benefit Services, the program is specifically designed for people employed in the construction industry. The Hour Bank Benefit Plan is transferable between Merit member firms and allows for coverage during off-season and lay-offs. An optional program for salaried (Office/Supervisory) staff is also available.

Hour Bank Benefit Plan for Field Workers

Employee Life Insurance

• For Employees - $80,000

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Employee - $80,000

Dependent Life Insurance

• Spouse - $10,000
• Child - $5,000

Extended Health Care for Employees & Dependents

• Prescription drugs - 80% - no annual maximum
• Emergency out-of-country - 100%
• Other health expenses (to specified limits) - 100%
• Overall Maximum - Unlimited

Vision Care for Employees & Dependents

• All covered expenses - 100%
• Maximum - $300 every 2 calendar years
• Maximum for Children under 19 - $300 per calendar year
• Eye Exams - $50 every 2 calendar years

Dental Care Benefits for Employees & Dependents

• Basic services - 80% of GP Fee Guide
• Major restorative services - 50% of GP Fee Guide
• Maximum for basic & major services combined - $2,500 per calendar year
• Specialist fee guide used when applicable
• Orthodontic services for children under 19 - 50%
• Maximum for orthodontic services - $2,500 lifetime per person

Long Term Disability Insurance for Employees

• Monthly benefit - $2,100 for first 24 months, then $2,600/month to age 65.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for employee & dependents

• Confidential counseling and information service for employees and their families
• Self referral

Eligibility

• An employee becomes eligible to receive benefits on the first day of the second month following the accumulation of 300 hours in his or her bank account.

Cost - effective January 1, 2008

• For each hour worked by employees, the contribution is $0.79 for benefits premiums ($0.67 for basic benefits and $0.12 per hour for Long Term Disability) plus either $0.07 or $0.10 per hour worked (depending on the fee structure chosen). Rates are reviewed annually and are normally in effect from January 1 to December 31. View in PDF

Benefit Plan for Office/Supervisory Staff

Life Insurance

• For Employees 1, 2, or 3 times the annual earnings, as elected by the employer, to an overall maximum of $300,000. Amounts over $100,000 may be subject to approval of medical evidence.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Employee - As above

Dependent Life Insurance

• Spouse - $10,000
• Child - $5,000

Extended Health Care for Employees & Dependents

• Prescription drugs - 80% - no annual maximum
• Emergency out-of-country - 100%
• Other health expenses (specified limits) - 100%
• Overall Maximum - Unlimited

Vision Care for Employees & Dependents

• All covered expenses - 100%
• Maximum - $300 every 2 calendar years
• Maximum for Children under 19 - $300 per calendar year
• Eye Exams - $50 every 2 calendar years

Dental Care Benefits for Employees & Dependents

• Basic services - 80% of GP Fee Guide
• Major restorative services - 50% of GP Fee Guide
• Specialist fee guide used when applicable
• Maximum for basic & major services combined - $2,500 per calendar year
• Orthodontic services for children under 19 - 50%
• Maximum for orthodontic services - $2,500 lifetime

Long Term Disability Insurance for Employees

• Monthly benefit - 75% of monthly earnings if the employer paid (67% of the first $4,000 of monthly income plus 50% to balance), to a maximum benefit of $6,000 per month.
• Benefits start after 120 days (17 weeks) of total continuous disability
• Eligibility based on employee being in benefit and working 25 hours per week for a Merit member firm in the LTD program.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for employee & dependents

• Confidential counseling and information service for employees and their families
• Self referral

Cost* - Effective Nov 1/07 to Oct 31/08

• Life Insurance - $0.129 per $1,000 coverage
• Dependent Life Insurance - $1.70 (only employees with eligible family)
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment - $0.030 per $1,000 coverage
• Long Term Disability - $0.67 per $100 of coverage
• Extended Health Care and Vision Coverage - $42.09 single coverage, $112.58 family coverage
• Dental Care $34.65 single coverage, $86.58 family coverage
• EFAP - $1.75 + GST single/family coverage

* Note: Administration fee of approximately 5% applies

View in PDF

Additional information Regarding Hour Bank Plan:

Premiums are the same for single and family coverage. Up to 50% of benefit costs can be shared with employees.