Benefit Plan Options

Discover plans for medical, dental, and prescription drugs that fit your needs, as well as your family’s.

Coming Jan. 1st, 2025

We’re pleased to announce that starting January 1, 2025, Manulife will become our new group benefits provider, replacing Canada Life. Like GFS, Manulife has a long and successful history, spanning over 130 years. They are one of Canada’s leading benefit providers, with a proven track record of reliability and a commitment to helping Canadians protect their loved ones, grow their wealth and build a healthier future.

This transition means you’ll have one company to contact for all your benefits and retirement needs, simplifying your experience. Manulife is already our partner for group retirement savings, so this change creates a seamless connection between your benefits and retirement planning.

Questions?

If you have an urgent question about your benefits, please contact your local HR team or Canada HR Benefits at benefitscanada@gfs.com or 1.888.529.5270.

Medical Plan Options

Pick from one of five levels of medical coverage to supplement the coverage provided by your provincial health plan.

Things to Think About

When you enroll, you may choose one of three coverage levels:
- Employee only
- Employee + one—coverage for you and one dependent (spouse or child)
- Employee + two or more—coverage for you and two or more dependents.
If your spouse has medical coverage through an employer, check out the coordination of benefits option.

View Detailed Benefit Guide for more information.

Flex Credits

You can choose to allocate your flex credits to a health care spending account or a personal wellness account. You can also divide your flex credits between both accounts.

Health Care Spending Account

Deposit flex credits into your HCSA to help pay for health-related expenses that aren’t covered by your medical, prescription drug, or dental options. The HCSA is not taxable except for provincial income tax in Quebec. This account expires after 2 years.

Personal Wellness Account

Deposit flex credits into your personal wellness account to help pay for eligible expenses that include gym memberships, fitness equipment, nutritional services, weight loss programs, financial planning, and more. Flex credits deposited in this account are subject to federal and provincial taxes, and never expires.

Eligible Personal Wellness Expenses

You can use your personal wellness account to be reimbursed for the following items.

Fitness Centre Membership
Personal Trainer Fees
Smoking Cessation
Health Risk Assessment
Stress Management
Lifestyle / Weight Management
Financial – Accounting, Bank Fees, RIFF Fees, RRSP Premiums and Charges
Prenatal Classes
Sports Clubs / Sports Team Membership / Registration
Fitness Equipment
Wellness-Related Health & Stress Management Programs
Golf & Country Club Fees
Instructional Learning Tools – Self-Development Books, Fitness Videos
Insurance – Broker Fees, Ergonomic Office Chair Expense, Handicapped Parking Permit, Travel Expenses
Vitamins / Minerals / Supplements / Natural Health Products
Online Fitness Classes
Meditation Apps (Such as Calm or Headspace)
Daycare Expenses
Environmental – Air Conditioner, Compost Bin, Dehumidifier, Green Home Initiatives
Personal Development – Books, Computer Purchase, Professional Membership Fees

New Expenses for 2024

Groceries

Spa Services

(Facial, pedicures etc)

Fitness Shoes

Fitness Clothing

Fitness Watch

Things to Think About

When deciding whether to contribute to an HCSA, consider if you or eligible family members will have medical-related expenses that will not be paid or only partially paid by your medical, prescription drug, or dental options.
Remember, you must use the flex credits in your HCSA within two years or they are forfeited.
In Quebec, provincial taxes (but not federal taxes) apply on the value of claims reimbursed from the HCSA.

View Detailed Benefit Guide for more information.

Dental Plan Options

You have five choices for your dental plan, ranging from no coverage to an option that pays as much as 100 percent of preventative and 90 percent of basic services. The choice is yours!

Things to Think About

When you choose one of the dental options, you are selecting all the various features within that option. For example, you cannot select Option 5 for orthodontic coverage and Option 3 for basic and major coverage. In addition, you and your eligible dependents are always covered under the same option.
Since very young children often have little need for dental care, consider whether your child needs dental care this year. You can add or remove dependents at each annual enrollment as your child’s dental care needs change.

View Detailed Benefit Guide for more information.

Prescription Drugs

Five Plan Options for Prescription Drugs

If you live in Quebec, you and your dependents must have a minimum level of prescription drug coverage as required by provincial law. See the Benefits Guide for more details.

Pocketpills

Get a pharmacy on your phone. Pocketpills is Canada’s leading online pharmacy. Through an easy-to-use app and website, you can order medication, schedule refills, and free delivery, and consult with pharmacists—all from the comfort of home. Visit app.pocketpills.com to get started.

Things to Think About

Dispensing fees are determined by individual pharmacies and can range widely. Since you pay the dispensing fee (except in Option 5), you should shop around to get the best price in your area.
Mandatory generic drug substitution means that when you have a prescription filled, the pharmacist will dispense the lowest-priced equivalent (usually the generic) version of the drug. You can still purchase the higher-priced drug, but you will be responsible for paying the difference between the two drugs.

View Detailed Benefit Guide for more information.