What is a Claims Review Committee (CRC) or Rehabilitation Review Committee (RRC)?

A Claims Review Committee (CRC) is a panel of three independent medical doctors that reviews Canada Life’s decision to deny or terminate a Long Term Disability (LTD) claim. They will meet with you and assess the medical and vocational information reviewed by Canada Life to determine whether you are disabled, based on the definition outlined in the JCBT Plan Document. The CRC will submit their written decision to the Trust’s third-party administrator, the Healthcare Benefit Trust (HBT), and that decision will be distributed to you, your union, your employer, and Canada Life, who will take appropriate action based on the outcome. More information can be found by visiting Appealing a Claim.

A Rehabilitation Review Committee (RRC) is available in the event:

• you do not agree with the recommended rehabilitation plan, or
• you do not agree you are medically able to participate and cooperate in the rehabilitation plan.

To ensure you remain eligible for benefits in this situation you must either:

• demonstrate reasonable grounds for being unable to participate and cooperate in the rehabilitation plan; or
• request that your appeal be referred to the RRC.

The RRC panel consists of three independent rehabilitation specialists or physicians who review Canada Life’s decision to suspend LTD benefits.  During the RRC process, your LTD benefits will be reinstated effective the date of the request for RRC and Canada Life will continue to manage your claim.  Benefits remain payable until the RRC has made its decision, or Canada Life makes a new determination that you no longer meet the definition of disability as required under the Plan.

Similar to the CRC, the RRC will meet with you, review the information assessed by Canada Life, and submit their written decision, which will be shared with all relevant parties. If the RRC determines that you were able to participate in the rehabilitation plan and you again fail to do so, benefits will be suspended again until you agree to take part in the rehabilitation plan approved by the RRC.  Alternatively, if the RRC determines you were unable to participate in the rehabilitation plan, benefits will continue, allowing Canada Life to monitor your claim and determine if a new rehabilitation plan is appropriate.