Frequently Asked Questions

General

All eligible co-workers are automatically enrolled in the benefit program. This is a program provided to eligible IKEA co-workers as part of your total compensation package. Co-workers cannot opt out of the program with the exception for co-workers in Quebec (in accordance with provincial legislation).

Yes. If you are covered under IKEA’s plan and also under your spouse’s plan, you will submit your claims to Beneva first, and then claim for any balance through your spouse’s plan. For any dependent children, they are covered first under the parent with the earlier birthdate in the calendar year.

Two copies of your insurance card will be mailed to you. They are identical, and even though only your name appears on it, your dependents (spouse and children as listed under the benefit plan) can use it. You have to have family coverage type for this. You can always access the Client Centre website and more copies of your insurance card should you need to.

A physical copy of the drug card is not necessary. You can also access it from your cell phone via the Beneva mobile app. After you log in for the first time, click the ‘card’ icon on the top right of the screen to access your drug card without having to log in each time. Screenshots of the drug card can also be given to your insured dependents in place of a physical copy.

Get in touch with your P&C team.

Provincial and territorial plans pay for basic healthcare and dental services and needs, and what’s covered will vary depending on where you live. To check what is covered under your provincial plan, please visit the government website based on your province of residence.

A dependent is a child for whom you or your spouse exercise parental authority, or would exercise if the child was a minor and whom you or your spouse support. To be eligible, the child must also be unmarried and:

  • be under the age of 21

    OR

  • be 21 or over but under age 26 and a full-time student in an accredited educational institution, subject to proof of registration deemed satisfactory by Beneva

    OR

  • regardless of age, be living at your home or that of your spouse and have a severe, incurable and chronic physical or mental disability that began while the child met any of the conditions indicated above in this definition and have remained continuously disabled since that date; the disability must render the child incapable of pursuing any gainful occupation

To be recognized as a dependent, the child must reside in Canada and be covered under their provincial health plan.

An individual who resides in Canada and is covered under the public health and hospitalization insurance plan of a Canadian province, provided that this is an individual who:

  • is married to you through a civil union or other legally recognized marriage

    OR

  • you are able to prove lives with you on a regular basis and whom you have designated in writing to Beneva as your spouse, provided that a child has been born of your union

    OR

  • you are able to prove has been living with you on a regular basis for at least 12 months and whom you have designated in writing to Beneva as your spouse

The status of a spouse ends when:

  • in the case of a marriage or civil union, you and this person have been separated for more than 3 months or have obtained a divorce or annulment of your marriage or civil union
  • in the case of a common-law union, you and this person have been separated for more than 3 months

In the case of more than one spouse, only the last person you have designated as such in writing to Beneva will be recognized as your spouse. If no spouse is designated, only a person linked to you by civil union or marriage will be recognized as your spouse.

To be eligible to be enrolled in the plan, you must be actively working on the date you become eligible for benefits, have satisfied the benefit waiting period, and you and your dependents must be covered under your provincial health plan.

It is a co-worker’s responsibility to advise their local People & Culture team if provincial health coverage is not in place. Once coverage is obtained, you will be enrolled in the IKEA group Benefits Plan.

Your coverage details can be found in the Co-worker benefit booklet. A Benefit Summary at a Glance is also available. You can also get drug coverage confirmation; get an estimate of your reimbursements; and a summary of health and dental coverage via the Client Centre and mobile app.

Yes. You will receive a card for policy 77H00. Be sure to advise your service providers (pharmacist, dentist, etc.) of your new policy to avoid denied claims.

For the time being, you can continue to use the same insurance card.

Life Event and Changes

From the Client Centre homepage, click Consult the details in your file and then Spouse or Children (if the CW already has dependents under their file, otherwise, click You to add a dependent), depending on which section you are updating, click Add or Remove and complete the operation.

Updates can be completed through IKEA’s internal site, "MyPay". If you have any questions, please see your P&C team.

Please get in touch with your local P&C Team.

The Client Centre is a quick and convenient way to:

  • change your coverage status (single to family or vice versa)
  • update your smoking status
  • add or remove a dependent
  • declare other insurance coverage and waive health and dental (only available to co-workers in Quebec as per provincial legislation)
  • add optional coverage
  • change your notifications email address (you can use your personal email address if you wish. Your notifications will initially set up with your IKEA address)
  • update beneficiary information
  • manage your banking information

The Client Centre allows you to:

  • get an estimate of your reimbursed expenses
  • request proof of your travel insurance coverage
  • get statements for income tax purposes
  • access your insurance documents including your insurance card, employee booklet and benefits at a glance
  • view eligible expenses under your Health Spending Account and Wellness Spending Account.

Your documents are available under Documents in the Consult the details in your file section.

The following are considered life events:

  • acquiring your first dependent (spouse or child)
  • acquiring a spouse if you have dependent child coverage only
  • acquiring your first dependent child (birth, adoption or stepchild) if you have spouse coverage only
  • involuntary loss of similar coverage through your spouse’s group benefits program
  • death of your spouse or only (or last) dependent child
  • your spouse or only (or last) dependent child ceases to qualify for coverage

As per the contract, an over-age dependent, under the age of 26, in full-time school can be covered under the group plan. Also, a dependent child, regardless of age can be covered under the group plan if, living at your home or that of your spouse and has a severe, incurable and chronic physical or mental disability that began while the child met any of the conditions indicated in the definition of a child, and has remained continuously disabled since that date; the disability must render the child incapable of pursuing any gainful occupation.

Any changes in coverage should be submitted within 30 days of the change or eligibility date. For instance, changes that would impact premiums and claims (coverage type change and adding/ removing a dependent).

The policy # is 77H00 and the certificate number is unique to you. The certificate number is available on the drug card which can be found in the Client Centre under the documents section or via the Beneva mobile app.

Co-workers can reach out to Beneva customer service directly at 1 888 235-0606. Make sure you have your certificate number on hand when calling.

Health Insurance

Yes! If your health service provider is registered with Provider Connect, they can bill Beneva directly by selecting SSQ Insurance. Payment will be made directly to the provider. You won’t have any claim forms to fill out, and in some cases, you won’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket (other than your portion of the benefit).

Mention it to your provider so they can bill us directly.

See your group benefits booklet for coverage details.

Beneva needs to approve certain high cost drugs for coverage before you have your prescription filled. To apply for a Prior Authorization Drug, print and complete the Prior Authorization form.

Orthotic claims can be submitted by mail or online via the Client Centre or mobile app.

Go to Medical Items and select Other Medical Items. Information about the licensed provider selling the orthotics must be entered (not the provider who gave the prescription).

Some medical items may require a prescription from a licensed medical professional and be dispensed by a separate, different recognized service provider. Prescriptions and receipts should be submitted at the same time.

Similar to any healthcare provider, the practitioner should be licensed in the province of their practice and should be in good standing with their governing body. For confirmation of eligible providers, please contact Beneva.

At enrolment, you must provide your banking information to be reimbursed with direct deposit.

Simply present your insurance card to your pharmacist or dentist and your transaction will be processed automatically.

You can submit most of your health claims online through the Client Centre for a reimbursement within 48 hours, without having to provide a receipt.

Receiving a reminder that you are nearing your lifetime maximum allows you to shop for individual insurance well in advance to avoid any gap in coverage. Some exceptions apply in Quebec based on legislation. Please refer to the letter from Beneva regarding your options.

You have the option to convert your health and dental coverage into an individual policy without having to submit medical evidence if the application is received within 90 days of losing coverage. See the following link for Beneva’s conversion product: beneva.ca/en/life-health-insurance/retirement-end-employment/privilege.

Yes, if a receipt is required for claim submission, then a photo of the receipt can be taken and submitted via the Beneva mobile application.

You can submit your claims directly with your smartphone via the Beneva mobile app. A receipt confirming your purchase is required.

If you prefer submitting your claim by mail, go to the Client Centre, where you'll find a claim form to print out. Fill it out and mail it to Beneva with your receipt.

Beneva will routinely audit online claims. You must keep your receipts for 12 months from the date you submit a claim.

Services that were paid for using a gift card are not eligible for reimbursement. This applies to the Health and Dental Plan, the Health Spending Account and the Wellness Account.

Yes, Beneva offers this feature. By purchasing your prescription drugs at one of the Preferred Provider Organizations, you will save on the deductible.

*This feature is offered to all eligible co-workers residing outside the province of Quebec.

You can become a smart shopper when it comes to your health by checking the cost of a drug via Beneva’s drug cost tool to see which pharmacy has the best price.

A dispensing fee is the professional fee a pharmacist charges every time you fill a prescription. Depending on the ingredient cost, dispensing fees can make up more than half of your prescription cost. This fee varies from one pharmacy to another.

The dispensing fee cap is the maximum amount that the benefit plan will reimburse. The cap for IKEA co-workers is $7 per prescription, per drug (for all provinces except Quebec).

A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.

If you choose to purchase a brand name drug instead of any existing generic equivalent, the amount of reimbursement will be determined in accordance with the lowest cost generic equivalent.

Before incurring any dental work costing $800 or more, we recommend sending Beneva a treatment plan to know the amount reimbursed under the benefit plan. Talk to your dentist about it and they can submit the predetermination on your behalf.

The drug cost tool (under Get drug coverage information, available on the Client Centre as well as the mobile app.) allows you to check if a particular drug is covered, and the approximate cost of the drug at nearby pharmacies, depending on the postal code entered.

If prior authorization is required, the tool will provide a link to the form that your physician needs to complete. This could save you a second trip to the doctor’s office if you check coverage on your mobile app during the initial visit when you are prescribed the drug.

The IKEA PPO includes London Drugs, Pharmasave, Loblaw’s pharmacies, participating Costco pharmacies and Alliance pharmacies which offer mail order services.

*This feature is offered to all eligible co-workers residing outside the province of Quebec.

If you have any questions about a claim, please contact the Beneva customer contact center at 1 888 235-0606. Agents are claims adjudicators as well and can assist you directly. Please have your policy and certificate number on hand.

Your benefit coverage will continue for a period of 30 days from the start of your leave. After that, you will be responsible for you own coverage.

Under the benefit plan, your coverage will continue for a maximum of 30 days during any personal leave of absence, subject to the payment of premiums.

If you are losing coverage and would like to purchase individual insurance, you can do so. See the following link for your options: conversion product: beneva.ca/en/life-health-insurance/retirement-end-employment/privilege.

Health Spending Account (HSA) and Wellness Spending Account (WSA)

Yes, both your Health Spending Account and Wellness Spending Account claims can be submitted through the mobile app.

Co-workers will have until the end of February of the current year to submit claims for services incurred up to December 31st of the previous year for reimbursement.

Your benefit coverage will default to single coverage, and Health Spending Account credits. No changes can be made to your flex credits account for the current year. You will have to wait until the next year at re-enrolment time to make your selections.

Yes, the flex credits you are entitled to are pro-rated based on the days remaining in the calendar year.

For the Health Spending Account if any credits remain in the co-workers account at the end of the reference year (the reference year is from January 1st to December 31st), they will be carried over to the next (a second) reference year and added to the amount allocated for that next (second) reference year. When claims are processed, the unused portion of the amount carried over from the previous reference year will be debited first. If the balance carried over has not been fully used by the end of that second reference year, the unused portion of the amount carried over from the previous reference year cannot be rolled over again.

Wellness Spending Account credits will expire on December 31st of every year. No credits are carried over.

A Health Spending Account is an amount of money deposited by IKEA that can be used to reimburse expenses that qualify as medical expenses under Canada’s Income Tax Act. You will be able to use this account for eligible expenses incurred by you, your spouse and dependent children. In addition to eligible medical expenses, you can also use your HSA for the reimbursement of any coinsurance and amounts in excess of benefit maximums under your plan. See the eligible expenses for a Health Spending Account.

The HSA is non-taxable. However, for co-workers who reside in Quebec, the amounts reimbursed from the Health Spending Account are considered a taxable benefit on your provincial tax return only. IKEA will be issuing tax receipts to confirm the taxable benefit.

A Wellness Spending Account (WSA) is an amount of money deposited by IKEA that can be used to reimburse a variety of wellness-related activities to maintain and improve your health. Claims paid from the WSA are considered taxable. See the eligible expenses for a Wellness Spending Account.

You can see your Health Spending and Wellness balances in the Client Centre.

From the homepage, click Submit a claim and then go to the Health Account or Wellness Account sections on the left of the screen. If you’re on the Beneva app, click Health Account at the bottom of the screen.

Life Insurance

You can purchase Optional Life Insurance for your children in units of $10,000 to a maximum of $30,000.

You will need to complete a medical questionnaire.

Beneficiaries are managed by Beneva. You are responsible to designate one or more beneficiaries for your life insurance. Beneficiaries will be designated during the enrollment activity and can be updated at any time via the Client Centre.

Beneva uses the professional and confidential services of Dynacare to gather medical information when you, your spouse or your children apply for Optional Life Insurance or for Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance. A Dynacare nurse will contact you to assist you with the completion of forms, to schedule a blood sample or any other test as required, or to conduct a telephone interview.

Subject to the provisions of the contract, Beneva agrees to pay the amount of insurance provided for under this benefit if you should die while covered under this insurance benefit. This amount is payable to your designated beneficiary. If no beneficiary is designated, the amount of insurance is payable to your estate.

Optional Critical Illness allows you to purchase this additional coverage, should you require additional protection from a covered illness. See your Co-worker booklet for details. Evidence of Insurability (medical evidence) must be provided and if approved, premiums would be charged accordingly and deducted through IKEA bi-weekly payroll.

Optional Life Insurance allows you to purchase additional protection/coverage to your basic life coverage if you wish to do so. Evidence of Insurability (medical evidence) must be provided and if approved, premiums would be charged accordingly and deducted through IKEA bi-weekly payroll.

From the Client Centre homepage > click on Consult the details in your file > Coverages > Optional benefits > complete the requested information. Once Beneva receives your request, the evidence of insurability form will be sent to you directly.

Revocable: a revocable beneficiary means that the beneficiary you designate can be changed at any time without the permission of that individual. For example, if you designate your partner or spouse to be the revocable beneficiary and you end up separating, you can change the beneficiary designation without asking for that person's permission.

Irrevocable: an irrevocable beneficiary means the beneficiary you designate cannot be changed without the written permission of that individual. For example, if you designate your partner or spouse to be the irrevocable beneficiary and you end up separating, you will not be able to change the beneficiary designation without a completed and signed Change of Irrevocable Beneficiary form from them.

*In Quebec, designating your spouse (must be a civil union) as beneficiary automatically means that he/she is an irrevocable beneficiary, unless you specify otherwise or divorce.

Re-enrolment

No, you won’t receive a new card. Simply keep using the same card.

No, once they have been submitted, they are set for the year. There will be no exceptions.

No, you don’t. If you are satisfied with your Flex credit allocations that you assigned in the previous year, no action is required. The system will assign the same allocation you had in the previous year.

Additional insurance benefits may be added or removed at any time. If you change your additional benefits during the re-enrollment campaign, the modification will be effective January 1st or on the date evidence of insurability, (if required) is approved by Beneva.

You cannot update information regarding your beneficiaries, your family status coverage and your dependent information during the re-enrolment process. We suggest you verify all your personal information BEFORE the re-enrolment.

The choices made when you initially enrolled are valid until December 31st of the current year. If you would like to make different choices for the following year, you should take part in the re-enrolment campaign. However, if you are satisfied with your initial choices, there is no need to take part in the re-enrolment campaign as previous choices will be carried forward.

Yes. Co-workers on an approved leave of absence (excluding personal leave of absence) are eligible for the re-enrollment campaign.

Co-workers can allocate their Flex credits (Health Spending Account and/or Wellness Spending Account credits) for the following year, as well as add or remove any optional benefits.

The system will maintain your current insurance coverage. You will have to wait until the next re-enrolment campaign to make any wanted changes.

Co-workers can reach out to Beneva’s customer service directly for any questions specific to their account at 1 888 235-0606. Make sure you have your certificate number on hand when calling.

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