1-888-601-9980
Empire Life Employee Benefits for Small Businesses: A Comprehensive Review
Empire Life offers a flexible ‘BeneFit’ solution that allows small business owners to customize their group health plans with essential coverages like basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and optional benefits such as dental coverage and critical illness insurance. They provide customized benefits solutions for small businesses with 2 to 19 employees.
- What are the key features of Empire Life's small business employee benefits plan?
- What does Empire Life’s employee benefits for small businesses plan cover?
- How does Empire Life support small businesses with employee wellness programs?
- How does Empire Life Incidental Expense Benefit different from Healthcare Spending Account?
- What do we like about Empire Life’s employee benefits for small businesses plan?
- Frequently asked questions
Empire Life is one of Canada’s leading health insurers with nearly 100 years of experience in providing benefits solutions tailored to small businesses. Catering to companies with 2 to 19 employees, Empire Life provides a flexible BeneFit solution that allows business owners to customize their plans with various optional benefits.
These include essential coverages such as basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and dependent life insurance, alongside optional offerings like dental coverage, critical illness insurance, and healthcare spending accounts. This blog gives insights into what Empire Life covers, its features and how you can process your claim.
What are the key features of Empire Life’s small business employee benefits plan?
Empire Life offers tailored coverage for companies with 2-19 employees, ensuring flexible, comprehensive protection with options for cost-sharing. Here are the key features:
Key features of Empire Life group health plan
| Category | Details |
| Minimum group size | 2 employees |
| Maximum group size | 19 employees |
| Minimum coverage amount | $10,000 |
| Maximum coverage amount | $250,000 |
| Business eligibility | Open to Canadian businesses with at least 2 employees |
| Minimum participation | – For plans that are 100% employer-paid or have 10 or fewer employees, all eligible employees must apply
– For larger groups, at least 85% of eligible employees must apply for coverage |
| Employee eligibility | – Permanent employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for coverage on the plan’s effective date, provided they are not seasonal workers
– Employees must reside and work in Canada and be under 75 years old |
| Cost sharing | 25% of the overall premium for participation to be valid |
| Waiting period | Employees hired after the plan’s effective date will be eligible for coverage after completing the employer-determined waiting period |
| Additional provisions | 6-month layoff provision for life, extended health and dental benefits, provided premiums are paid during the layoff period |
Call 1-888-601-9980 to speak to our licensed advisors right away, or book some time with them below.
What does Empire Life’s employee benefits for small businesses plan cover?
Empire Life group benefit plans include mandatory benefits like basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D) and dependent life insurance. It includes optional benefits like critical illness, long-term disability, Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) and more with flexible options to meet business needs.
Below is a comprehensive list of coverage and the details entailing for each coverage.
Sample plan design for Empire Life’s group benefits solutions
| Benefit type | Feature | Details |
| Basic life insurance | Coverage | 1x, 2x, or 3x salary, or flat amount |
| Termination age | 75 or prior retirement | |
| Benefit reduction | $30,000 at age 65; $15,000 at age 70 | |
| Minimum coverage | $30,000 or $15,000 with Critical Illness | |
| Dependent life insurance | Amount | $10,000/Spouse; $5,000/Child |
| Termination age | 75 or prior retirement | |
| Long-term disability | Benefit period | 2 years, 5 years, or until age 65 |
| Benefit amount | 60%-75% of monthly earnings | |
| Survivor benefit | None, 3 months, or 6 months | |
| Weekly indemnity | Amount | 60%-75% of weekly earnings |
| Termination age | 70 years or prior retirement | |
| Benefit schedules | Various options (e.g., 0-7-16, 14-14-15) | |
| Extended health benefits | Drugs | Standard, maintenance; brand or generic options |
| Coinsurance | 60%-100%, two-tier options available | |
| Major medical | Various coinsurance and deductible options, includes supplies | |
| Emergency travel | 100% coinsurance, $5M lifetime max, various trip durations | |
| Vision care | 70%-100% coinsurance, $100-$500 every 24 months | |
| Paramedical services | Coinsurance | 70%-100% |
| Practitioners | Chiropractor, physiotherapist, psychologist, etc. | |
| Health Spending Accounts | Incidental health expense benefit | $100-$5,000 per benefit period |
| HSA credit allocation | $100-$10,000, allocated annually or quarterly | |
| Grace period | 90 or 180 days | |
| Dental care | Deductibles | $0/$0, $25/$50, or $50/$100 |
| Coinsurance | Basic 60%-100%, Major 50% | |
| Maximum coverage | Basic: $500-$5,000; Major: $500-$5,000 | |
| Orthodontics | 50%, $1,000-$2,500 lifetime for 5+ employees | |
| Group critical illness | Coverage type | Vital Assist, Traditional, or Enhanced CI |
| Coverage amount | Up to $250,000 | |
| Termination age | 65 or 70, depending on options |
How does Empire Life support small businesses with employee wellness programs?
Empire Life has a range of employee wellness initiatives such as health coaching, disability management, preventative health education, etc. Employers can choose from these offerings and customize a wellness program that will work for their organization. Some of the key wellness offerings by Empire Life are:
What does Empire Life’s Employee Assistance Program cover?
Empire Life’s Assist Now Employee Assistance Program offers comprehensive support for families, key personnel, and company leaders, all within a competitive framework. It provides prompt and effective assistance whenever needed. The cost of EAP is $3.95 per employee per month, plus applicable taxes.
Program Features:
- 24/7/365 clinical response center
- Services available in 150 languages
- Flexible counseling options (In-person, telephone, and e-counseling)
- OnCallogic (Specialized cancer support)
- Life coaching
- Consultations (Access to financial, legal, and nutritional professionals)
- Childcare and eldercare referral service
- Comprehensive work-life and wellness web portal
- Crisis and trauma support
- Management consultation
- EAP impact reports
How does Empire Life Incidental Expense Benefit different from Healthcare Spending Account?
The Empire Life Incidental Health Expense (IHE) Benefit and the Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) both help cover extra health and dental expenses not included in regular benefits plans. However, they vary in terms of coverage, employer contributions and how they are funded.
Incidental Health Expense (IHE) Benefit
This plan gives predictable, fixed monthly costs and is fully insured. The annual limit you choose, ranging from $100 to $5,000, covers health expenses, but any unused amount doesn’t roll over to the next year. It works as a simple top-up for health coverage, and you can decide to share the cost with employees. Also, it follows your standard definition of dependents, which includes immediate family.
Health Care Spending Account (HCSA)
Health Spending Account (HSA) is more flexible. You can choose an annual amount from $100 to $10,000, and you’re in full control of the funding. This option lets you roll over unused funds, and it covers an expanded list of dependents like grandparents or nieces and nephews who rely on the employee. It can also cover employees who aren’t in the main health or dental plan.
Who is eligible for Empire Life’s employee benefits for small businesses?
Empire Life’s employee benefits program covers permanent employees who work a minimum 20 hours per week, are 75 years of age, and reside in Canada. They also offer basic life and AD&D, critical illness and health and dental for contractual employees. Key eligibility criteria include:
Permanent employees:
- Must work at least 20 hours per week
- Cannot be seasonal workers
- Must reside and work in Canada
- Age limit: Under 75 years old
Contract employees:
- Eligible for basic coverage including $30,000 basic life and AD&D, critical illness, extended health, and dental benefits.
- Not eligible for weekly indemnity or long-term disability benefits.
New hires:
- Eligible after a waiting period set by the employer (options: 1, 3, 6, or 12 months)
How does Empire Life assist in processing claims?
Claims can be submitted online through the Empire Life Group Benefits portal or by mailing physical documents. For life insurance claims under $50,000, the Express Claim option speeds up processing with minimal paperwork.
Real-time updates provide quick claim status, often leading to payments within 24 hours. Routine claims are usually processed within 5 business days, with immediate updates if more information is required.
What do we like about Empire Life’s employee benefits for small businesses plan?
Empire Life’s group health plans for small business, emphasizes its cost-effectiveness, innovative features, excellent customer service, and commitment to enhancing the overall user experience.
Below are some of the benefits that we appreciate:
How to get the best employee benefits rates from Empire Life?
To get the best group health plan rates from Empire Life, speak to one of our expert advisors who will build a plan that suits your budget and needs. Additionally, they will also help you submit your health insurance application whenever you’re ready to go ahead with the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of customization options are available for Empire Life’s benefit plans?
Empire Life offers various customization options allowing businesses to tailor coverage based on specific needs. Businesses can adjust maximums, coinsurance levels, and plan designs to reflect their workforce demographics and budgetary constraints, ensuring a personalized approach to employee benefits.
How does the Empire Life group benefit plan design work?
For groups with 2 or 3 employees, at least two optional benefits must be selected (excluding the AssistNow Employee Assistance Program). The plan design offers flexibility, enabling businesses to determine their investment in each type of benefit, including coinsurance levels and maximum limits for various services.
Can employees customize their dental coverage with Empire Life?
Yes, employees can customize their dental coverage with Empire Life. They have the flexibility to allocate their overall annual maximum for dental expenses according to their preferences, allowing them to invest in various services such as orthodontics or basic coverage. This level of customization effectively addresses individual dental needs.
- The flexible BeneFit solution allows business owners to select essential and optional coverages, including life, dental, and critical illness insurance
- The minimum coverage amount starts at $10,000, while the maximum reaches up to $250,000
- Employee eligibility includes permanent workers under 75 years old who work at least 20 hours per week
- Empire Life is recognized for its excellent customer service and commitment to personal connections with clients
