Ability Program Frequently Asked Questions

(Employees)

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 1. I have a large sick bank, why do I need to have sick time approved?
2. What are restrictions and limitations?
3. What is the difference between Sick Leave Benefits and Short Term Disability (STD)
benefits?
4. What happens when my sick leave runs out?
5. How do I know if I am eligible for STD/LTD benefits? You can log into E people to check
your benefit plan or call the HR contact Centre by phone @ 1-877-511-4455 or by
email: hrcontactcentre@albertahealthservices.ca to obtain the information.
6. What happens if I am not eligible for STD benefits?
7. Can I apply for STD/LTD benefits before my sick leave runs out?
8. What is the process to apply for Short Term Disability Benefits?
9. If my physician charges a fee for the completion of the Attending Physician Statement,
who covers the cost for the Attending Physician Statement of my STD/LTD application
forms?
10. What if I feel well enough to return to work? Are there any programs available to help
me?
11. How do Worker’s Compensation benefits fit into this?
12. What does EFAP offer?
13. I am pregnant and have to go on sick leave. How do I get my Maternity Leave
Package?
14. What are the impacts to my extended health and dental benefits while on a Leave of
Absence (LOA)?
15. What if I have a non-occupational illness/injury and sustain a new work related injury?
16. Who do I call if I sustain an allergic reaction at work or have questions about
communicable disease or Body and blood fluid exposures (BBFE)?
17. Is there any kind of waiting period before my salary continuance benefits start?
18. How long do Salary Continuance Benefits last for?
19. If I am approved by Great West Life for LTD benefits, what is the benefit amount and
how often will I be paid?
20. How much benefit will I get if I am approved for Salary Continuance Benefits?
21. What information will Ability Advisors use to review my claim for Salary Continuance
Benefits?

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 1. I have a large sick bank, why do I need to have sick time approved?
For any absences, it is outlined in the collective agreement that “satisfactory medical
information” may be required to support a medical absence from work. This means you
may be required to have a medical note indicating the part of your job you are not able
to perform.

2. What are restrictions and limitations?

Activities or tasks you cannot perform or perform to a lesser degree because of physical
and/or cognitive problems that are due to a medical injury, illness or condition.

3. What is the difference between Sick Leave Benefits and Short Term Disability (STD)
benefits?
• Sick Leave benefits are paid directly by AHS and are paid at 100% of your regular
earnings. Approval and denial of sick leave benefits are at the discretion of your
direct manager.
• Short Term Disability (STD) benefits are wage loss benefits paid directly by Great
West Life (GWL) and are paid at 66 2/3% of your regular earnings. Approval and
denial of STD benefits are at the discretion of Great West Life. STD runs
concurrently with sick time.

4. What happens when my sick leave runs out? If you are a unionized employee and are
enrolled in a Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) plan, you can
apply for these benefits.

Note: AHS employees must be working a minimum average of 15 hours per week to be
eligible for benefits. Employees will also need to ensure that they are aware as to when
they will be eligible for benefits if they are a new employee.

5. How do I know if I am eligible for STD/LTD benefits? You can log into E people to check
your benefit plan or call the HR contact Centre by phone @ 1-877-511-4455 or by email:
hrcontactcentre@albertahealthservices.ca to obtain the information.

6. What happens if I am not eligible for STD benefits?

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 If you are not eligible for STD benefits, you may apply for Medical Employment
Insurance benefits. You would need to call the HR Contact Centre by phone @ 1-877-
511-4455 or email hrcontactcentre@albertahealthservices.ca to request for a Record of
Employment (ROE) to be sent to Service Canada.
Note: There is a 14 day waiting period as you will need to demonstrate $0 insurable
earnings for one pay period prior to Benefits releasing the ROE to Service Canada.

7. Can I apply for STD/LTD benefits before my sick leave runs out?
• To avoid a potential delay in benefit payment, it is recommended for you to
apply for STD/LTD benefits before your sick leave is fully depleted.

8. What is the process to apply for Short Term Disability Benefits?

Contact your Ability Advisor (http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/Files/hr-client-services-

ability-advisors-contacts.pdf) assigned to your location to obtain a copy of the Short Term
Disability (STD) Application Forms and instructions.

9. If my physician charges a fee for the completion of the Attending Physician Statement,
who covers the cost for the Attending Physician Statement of my STD/LTD application
forms?
• HSAA Employees: Employees are responsible for any fees associated for the
completion of Insurance Forms.
• AUPE Employees: Employees are responsible for any fees associated for the
completion of Insurance Forms.
• UNA: Under Article 19.04, employees can submit their receipts directly to their
employer for reimbursement.

10. What if I feel well enough to return to work? Are there any programs available to help
me?
• You should immediately inform your Ability Advisor, Manager, and case manager
at Great West Life (if you are on an active claim) when you feel well enough to
return to work.
• The return to work will need to be approved by your medical provider. A copy of
the medical note clearing you to return to work and/or return to work plan
should be sent to both your case manager at GWL (if you have an active claim)
and Ability Advisor for review and approval.

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 • While on a medically approved RTW plan outlined by your medical provider,
your Ability Advisor will continue to monitor your RTW plan and provide you
with ongoing support.
• Other Additional Supports are provided below:
o EFAP: http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/964.asp
o AHS Health and Wellness: http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/5596.asp
o Mobile Response Team: Ph: 403-266-4357
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services.asp?pid=service&rid=432

11. How do Worker’s Compensation benefits fit into this?

If you are injured at work or become ill due to a work place hazard, a claim for WCB
benefits will be filed. Report a work related injury/illness through MySafetyNet:
http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/11933.asp. In the event your WCB claim is closed
or your claim is denied, and you continue to be disabled from work, you can apply for
STD/LTD benefits through Great West Life.

12. What does EFAP offer? http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/964.asp

• Toll Free and Confidential telephone access via the Care Access Centre to EFAP crisis
counselling, risk assessment, and matching to appropriate service(s).
• Available 24/7, 7 days a week
• Intake specialists are bilingual in English and French
• Phone Contact: 1-877-273-3134
• Range of 6 counselling modalities: Face to Face, Telephonic, E- Counselling, Text Based
Resource Package, Video Counselling, and First Chat (online chat).

Online Information Services:

• Online access process users with secure and confidential access to a range of EFAP
support services
• First Chat is confidential online chat consultative services with a trained counsellor.
• Online Counselling: www.shepellfgi.com/ecounselling
• Online Resources: www.workhealthlife.com
• Can also download EAP mobile device application on Apple and Android based devices

13. I am pregnant and have to go on sick leave. How do I get my Maternity Leave
Package?

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 • If you require a medical leave prior to your maternity leave, you can apply for Short
Term Disability (STD) benefits (provided you are eligible) to cover your medical
absence (provided Great West Life approves your claim).
• Once your delivery date has been confirmed, Great West Life will terminate your
STD benefits one day prior to your delivery date and notify your Ability Advisor.
• Your Ability Advisor will notify payroll and your manager to place you on Mat LOA
on the same day as your delivery date.
• Payroll will notify the Benefits department to send your Maternity Leave
Information Package to your home mailing address.
• If for some reason you do not receive your maternity package a few weeks after
your delivery date, please contact the HR contact Centre @ 1-877-511-4455 or
email: hrcontactcentre@albertahealthservices.ca.

14. What are the impacts to my extended health and dental benefits while on a Leave of
Absence (LOA):
• HSAA: https://myahs.ca/insite/Files/hr-benefits-hsaa-what-if-i.pdf
• AUPE- Auxillary: https://myahs.ca/insite/Files/hr-benefits-aupe-aux-what-if-i.pdf
• AUPE- GSS: https://myahs.ca/insite/Files/hr-benefits-aupe-gss-what-if-i.pdf
• UNA: https://myahs.ca/insite/Files/hr-benefits-una-what-if-i.pdf
• For further information, please contact the HR Contact Center by phone or email
@ 1-877-511-4455 or email: hrcontactcentre@albertahealthservices.ca.

15. What if I have a non-occupational illness/injury and sustain a new work related injury?
Notify your manager and your Ability Advisor and report it through MySafetyNet:
http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/11933.asp. Your Ability Advisor will transfer your
file to a WCB Advisor.

16. Who do I call if I sustain an allergic reaction at work or have questions about
communicable disease or Body and blood fluid exposures (BBFE)? Please go to the
following link to find a number to call within your zone:
http://insite.albertahealthservices.ca/7310.asp.

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 Additional Information for Non-Union Exempt Employees (NUEE) only
17. Is there any kind of waiting period before my salary continuance benefits start? For
NUEEs, Salary Continuance commences from the start of the first missed shift and will
run for a maximum of 16 weeks. In the event, you are unable to return to work after 16
weeks, it is recommended that you proceed with applying for Long Term Disability (LTD)
benefits. Please contact your Ability Advisor for the application forms.

18. How long do Salary Continuance Benefits last for? Salary Continuance benefits run for
a maximum of 16 weeks. In the event you are to remain off work beyond 16 weeks, you
can proceed to apply for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits.

19. If I am approved by Great West Life for LTD benefits, what is the benefit amount and
how often will I be paid?
For NUEEs, you will receive Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits at 60% of your regular
earnings (non-taxable benefit) on a monthly basis (either through direct deposit or
mailed cheques).
Note: Regular earnings do not include premium payments such as over time, shift
differentials, or additional casual hours.

20. How much benefit will I get if I am approved for Salary Continuance Benefits? Only
NUEEs are eligible for Salary Continuance benefits. If approved, you will be paid @
100% of your regular salary for a maximum of 16 weeks provided you have 620 hours in
your sick bank prior to your absence. If you do not have a total of 620 hours of sick
credits, prior to your absence and require time off for the entire 16 week period, the
remaining absence will be paid at a rate of 80% (once sick pay has been depleted) of
your regular, and up to the 16 week maximum period.

21. What information will Ability Advisors use to review my claim for Salary Continuance
Benefits?
The medical information submitted by your physician about your limited ability to work,
a detailed job description, and physical job demands information. Salary Continuance
benefits will be approved if the information supports your inability to attend work in
some capacity.

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