Friday, February 27, 2015
AMAPCEO sought and has now received clarification from the OPS employer that it intends to continue to provide coverage for drugs or medicines that do not require a prescription, provided the products are prescribed by a physician and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist for a life-sustaining purpose. Such drugs and medicines, including Epi-pens, will be covered on the same basis as they were under the previous (2012-2014) collective agreement.
President Dave Bulmer formally asked the employer for confirmation that coverage would continue after AMAPCEO received reports that a number of members' claims had been rejected by Great-West Life. It was AMAPCEO's clear understanding during bargaining that the coverage that was in place in the previous agreement would continue under Article 34 of the new agreement (Supplementary Health and Hospital Insurance).
The employer has asked Great-West Life to reassess all claims received for purchases on or after January 1, 2015 and to pay benefits where applicable. The employer has also apologized to us for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Members whose claims have been denied are advised to get in touch with Great-West Life if they do not hear back within a reasonable time-frame and those who were told that they did not qualify should now file a claim.