We have EXCELLENT extended health benefit coverage as residents in Ontario. This includes almost 100% coverage for most prescription drugs and $500 per academic year for massage therapy and many other services. Dental services are covered at 85%.

You should receive a benefits card from Manulife in the mail shortly after July 1.

For full information on your benefits, you’ll be mailed a Benefits Booklet describing all your benefits at the beginning of the academic year. It will come in a big envelope. This envelope will also contain your Payroll system login information so you can see your paystubs. If you don’t receive this package in the mail by the end of July, or if you don’t have your Manulife benefits card, you should contact the uOttawa PGME Payroll Office by emailing them (pgmepay@uottawa.ca).

A PDF version of our benefits booklet is provided here for your convenience.

Top Tips for Maximizing Benefits

Start Early

Your benefits year runs from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next.
Start using your benefits early in the year – you lose whatever you don’t use by June 30.

Note that there is a $15 copay every year for extended health benefits ($25 if you’re also covering a spouse/children) that you must pay out of pocket before your benefits kick in.

You get $500 for each of the following services each year (covered at 100%):

• Chiropractor
• Chiropodist/Podiatrist
• Massage Therapy (prescription needed – see below)
• Physiotherapist
• Acupuncturist
• Psychologist/Social Worker
• Speech Therapist

NOTE: You NEED a prescription for massage therapy (though it is only ONE time – one prescription will cover you for all years of your residency!)
Your prescription MUST be dated before you first get massage therapy service or it won’t be covered, so plan ahead and get a prescription ASAP.
For massage therapy, any reason for the prescription will suffice (“back pain,” “stress,” “shoulder pain,” etc.)

Dental Coverage – Need to Know

There is no dollar limit to your dental coverage every year, which is covered at 85%, however, there are limits to how often you can have certain procedures done.

A full teeth cleaning is covered once every 9 months.
Therefore, in order to maximize this benefit over your residency (24 months), you should get a cleaning as soon as possible within the first 6 months.
That way, you can get 3 full teeth cleanings during your 24 month residency.

Eye Exams and Glasses/Contacts

You get one eye exam every 24 months covered at 100% – this means you’ll only be able to take advantage of it once during your residency unless you extend it or do additional training.

You also get $300 for glasses or contacts every 24 months. If you’re covering dependents, they will also get one exam and $300 for glasses/contacts every 24 months.

Check Your Drug Coverage Ahead of Time

Not sure if your drug is covered? You can check online ahead of time to save yourself headaches at the pharmacy counter!

Step 1) Sign onto your Manulife insurance account.
If you haven’t yet signed up for a Manulife account, you’ll need to register for one, using the information on your Manulife insurance card (Group #, Policy #)

Step 2) Hover your mouse over “My Benefits,” then click on “Drug coverage details and more” (see image below)

Step 3) You can now search for your drug by either name or DIN number (which is usually printed a previous prescription receipt)