Don’t squander privilege of group benefits

Re It’s time to use your benefits or lose them, Scorgie, Nov. 11

I was slightly alarmed reading LesleyAnne Scorgie’s article regarding employer-sponsored benefit programs. Often times, employees are asked to contribute to the cost of the employer-sponsored benefit plan, but this amount 99.9 per cent of the time is not more than 50 per cent of the premium. When group plans are abused, their monthly rates increase causing a higher amount for the employer and the employee to pay. If that monthly increase is too much, the employer may decide to cancel the plan altogether, leaving employees without any coverage. It’s important to use benefit plans when they are needed and not “just because.” This article is sending the wrong message and will hurt a lot of small employers, some of which can barely afford their group benefit plans.

Melanie Elliott, Regional Director of Benefits by Design, York Region

Although this article says Scorgie pays for her own benefits, most readers are likely covered by employerpaid plans. Many of those share the cost with their employers and would identify with the article and the “use it or lose it” proposition it espouses. If employees “squeeze the most from” their group insurance plans, the cost to employers will skyrocket and they won’t be around tomorrow. The idea of plans is to cover medically necessary services, not everything to the limit, and this article might start people down that road. Welldesigned and run benefit plans are a great perk, but common sense and reasonable use will make sure they are around long term. Dave Patriarche, Mainstay Insurance, Thornhill