Group benefits for US employees of Canadian plan

Group benefits for U.S. employees
of Canadian plan sponsors
Group benefits for U.S. employees of
Canadian plan sponsors
Manulife Financial Group Benefits is pleased to announce the
The ClearSource product is available to all Manulife
availability of comprehensive and competitive U.S. Benefits
Financial’s Canadian Group Benefits clients with less than
Solutions for your Canadian plan sponsors with subsidiaries,
50 employees residing in the United States. Your clients will
divisions or employees residing in the United States.
have the opportunity to select a benefits plan to suit their
After careful research, Manulife is proud to introduce
ClearSource to your Canadian plan sponsors. Provided
by a major U.S. insurer who is licensed to provide these
types of benefits, ClearSource offers specialists in employee
benefit services and supportive administrative and
consulting services.
needs. In addition, all benefits options, including medical,
dental, life, disability, and accidental death and
dismemberment are available in all 50 states1. With
comprehensive product design options, competitive pricing,
first-rate customer service and experienced professionals,
ClearSource may be the perfect solution for your clients
with U.S. employee benefits needs.
1
Subject to State minimums and regulatory requirements.
Who is eligible?
EMPLOYER ELIGIBILITY
• Existing Manulife Financial Group Benefits clients* who
are adding U.S. benefits
• New Manulife Group Benefits clients* seeking both
Canadian and U.S. benefits
• Canadian clients must have a U.S. subsidiary, division or
employees residing in the U.S.
• The U.S. employee group must be less than 50 lives
* minimum Canadian benefit placement required
2
EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY
• Employees must reside and work in the U.S. and be
employed full-time by a Canadian plan sponsor
A Model for Service
A straightforward quote process
One of the key features of this arrangement is the
As the plan advisor, you will be the first point of contact
service, educational and consulting role that is offered
for ClearSource to discuss the benefit options and details
to clients and brokers/advisors, by the U.S. providers.
of the quote.
With expertise in the small group benefits marketplace,
your clients can rest assured that their needs are well
taken care of with ClearSource. Since the benefits
marketplace differs between Canada and the U.S.,
• There is a focus to maintain an open dialogue
throughout the process. After this contact and
discussion, the U.S. providers of ClearSource will then
contact your client to discuss the quote.
your Canadian clients will be provided with the proper
educational tools and contact information to walk
them through the process and to ensure they are
confident in the plan design they’ve chosen for
their employees.
• The licensed and qualified ClearSource team will present
the quote and ensure that you and your client have
complete understanding of the benefit offering. This
discussion process is very important and a quote will not
be released until this three-way discussion takes place.
If your client has additional benefit needs, customization
It is important to note that the quote will only be
may be available upon request should the provided
released to you if you are an Agent of Record (AOR)
options lack certain aspects the client would like to
with the Canadian Manulife Group Benefits Business.
provide. The ClearSource commitment provides a
The same AOR rules apply as if a ‘Request to Quote’
service model encompassing relevant education and
was coming in on the Canadian Manulife business.
consulting services around all aspects of the U.S. group
Therefore, only one broker can be involved on the
benefits marketplace.
Canadian and U.S. business.
You can rest assured that the ClearSource providers are
A clear, competitive edge
licensed providers in the U.S. only and therefore will not
at any time attempt to solicit Canadian insurance business.
ClearSource is a competitively priced product and in
many cases may be less expensive* when compared to
similar products within the U.S. marketplace.
*varies by group size, benefit design and state
Compensation
As usual, contact your Manulife Financial representative
to discuss details on compensation associated with your
representation of the Canadian plan sponsor.
3
Exclusivity
provided under a ‘network’ concept. Service providers
such as physicians, dentists and other professionals belong
An introduction to ClearSource is available to qualifying
Canadian plan sponsors exclusively through Manulife
Financial. You must have Canadian group benefits
business with Manulife in order to receive an introduction
to ClearSource.
to a network in which they provide services to member
employees and are remunerated by insurance carriers.
When members obtain their services ‘within the network’
they are often charged less for these services and receive
greater reimbursement under their benefits plan. When
members seek services ‘outside of the network’ they often
Differences in the U.S. benefits
marketplace
pay more for these services or receive less reimbursement
The Canadian and U.S. benefits marketplaces are different.
It is important that Canadian employers understand
from their benefits plan.
This is particularly true when it comes to medical and dental
these differences when providing benefits for their
benefits. A significant portion of U.S. benefits involves the
U.S. based employees.
concept of ‘managed care’. Benefits and services are often
Product Options
Medical
Plan designs range from Health Spending Accounts (HSA) to more traditional medical and
(To be eligible, you must place
prescription drug plans. Options include: doctor’s visits, hospital services, x-rays, prescription
at least the medical benefit)
drugs, vision, private duty nurses, etc.
Dental Coverage
A number of different dental options which provide flexibility in design and price. Services
include preventative maintenance such as cleaning, or major work like orthodontia.
Life and AD&D Insurance
A number of choices for individual or family coverage including Group Term, Dependant Life,
Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Compassionate Assistance.
Disability
Long and short-term options including maternity leave.
U.S. Legislative Requirements
Your Canadian clients with U.S. resident employees, will be subject to certain U.S. Legislation. They will be advised as to what
legislation is applicable to them and what the requirements are.
For more information on ClearSource, please contact your Manulife Financial account executive today or visit
www.manulife.ca/repsource. Select Group Benefits in the header, then choose Product Options for Distinct Needs in the
"Products we offer" box.
An introduction to ClearSourceTM is available through Manulife Financial
(The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company). ClearSourceTM is not available
to cover Canadian residents.
© 2010 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. All rights reserved.
Manulife Financial and the block design are registered service marks and trademarks of
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and its affiliates including
Manulife Financial Corporation.
GC2220E (03/2010)