Medical/Dental benefits - is it just an illusion?

[Oleo 4]

Just wondering for those of you who have been in management and around the block in this industry the last decade if benefits at a 703/704 company are an oasis in the dessert, a fabled unicorn, an illusion, or a bit about pilots for the next guy at yuk yuks. I work at a reputable place but instead of hearing about solutions to problems like many other companies nothing changes and the pilot bar rant continues! So this is my question to those in the know:

"What does it cost the average 703-704 company with less than 50 employees to insure their pilots so they can at the very least, get the benefits they need to be fit for flight!"

I've been one of those guys who has avoided the dentist the majority of my adult life because it wasn't covered by any employer I've had previous. Now I'm not talking about one of those plans where the employers take money off your checks to cover the cost, I can do that on my own insurance if I was to go that way!


Cheers
O

[Fresh Prince of King Air]

For your average Sunlife, Manulife, Blue Cross type insurance it would be about $100,000.00 a year cost to the company.

Those 50 employees would usually have to cover the other $100,000.00 a year.

More so for employees with families and less for the single ones. All that depends on the plan and what percentage the company covers. Some companies cover it all.

If I ran a company I would put more time/value on ensuring my employees, their families health and retirement plan before I tried to raise their payscale. If I owned a business I can't imagine spending that much of my life/time with my employees and not being concerned for their and their families well being. I don't think some aviation business owners in this country realize the great responsibility and opportunity they have to be a human being before being a corporation. I would think the feeling of providing your employees of whom you spend more time with than your family with a comfortable life and retirement would be just as rewarding as making a profit.

There is the argument that you can pay more and have the employee choose their own retirement option and medical coverage but in my opinion less than 50% would actually do this.

However I'm sure you know this but I'll mention it anyway, you don't have to be an employee of a company that has a health care plan to get one. All of the major insurance companies in Canada offer individual plans. Although you wouldn't have an employer paying half at least you would have the ability to plan your medical expenses for the period of the coverage. Something to think about if you have some kids who will need braces or if you're like me and still don't have your wisdom teeth out.

Also if you attend an employee evaluation or you are negotiating pay for a new job. I would suggest bringing in your statement and proposing that they match half of the cost and add it to your pay. I don't think that's' an unreasonable request. $2000 would be a reasonable raise for a deserving employee. As an employer I would see that as a humble and responsible request and would personally have trouble saying no.

My opinion.

FPOKA

[fortis risk]

If you crunch the numbers it works out that only those with chronic illness actually come out ahead with the healthy paying for the sick as well as providing profit for the insurance company.

[taylor498]

If you crunch the numbers it works out that only those with chronic illness actually come out ahead with the healthy paying for the sick as well as providing profit for the insurance company.

Isn't that the general premise of health insurance?

[captain_dc]

I pay $40 a month off my cheque and my employer doesn't pay anything as far as I know. The plan is through the local chamber of comerce.

The coverage is pretty good...comperable to other non aviation plans I have been on with a certain number of chiropractic message and acupuncture as well as most of your prescriptions and most of your dental.