Changes to Disability Insurance Plan Medical Questionnaires

Recent updates have been made to the questionnaires used by attending physicians under the Disability Insurance (DI) Plan. The previous three separate questionnaires – for musculoskeletal disorders, mental health conditions, and other health conditions – have been replaced with a single, universal form titled “Initial medical declaration for disability insurance.”

Context of the DI Plan

The DI Plan is a mandatory insurance program providing long-term disability benefits to eligible public service employees, including members of designated groups, who turn into totally disabled and unable to work. Employees can submit a DI application when their illness or disability is expected to last beyond a 13-week waiting period, or when their sick leave balance has been exhausted, whichever is later.

What Has Changed?

To streamline the application process and reduce the administrative burden on physicians, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) implemented a standardized form across the disability insurance sector. This change replaces the previous requirement for doctors to complete one of three specific questionnaires. Both members and treating physicians can access and download the new form from the Sun Life DI webpage.

Sun Life will continue to accept claims submitted using the older questionnaires, and these claims will still be assessed. No changes have been made to the forms required from employees, managers/supervisors, or compensation advisors.

Submitting a Disability Insurance Claim

Before submitting a DI claim, it’s crucial to verify you are enrolled in the correct insurance plan to avoid delays in receiving benefits. You can confirm your eligibility by logging into MyGCPay or contacting your department’s Pay Center or compensation office. For detailed guidance on submitting a DI claim, refer to the Sun Life Employee Claims Submission Guide.

Contact Information

Departmental heads of compensation can contact the Employee Relations and Total Compensation Sector for assistance. Plan members and treating physicians with questions or concerns about DI claims can reach Sun Life directly at 1-800-361-5875.