Benefit PlusFor organizations with two or more employees

Valuable • Affordable • FlexibleOffering more choice in group coverage for your small business

Choose the plan that meets your needs

Flexibility that benefits your businessBenefit Plus is designed specifically to meet the needs of Alberta-based businesses like yours, delivering the coverage your employees want and the cost control your business requires—in your choice of two innovative and affordable packages with available options.

With Benefit Plus, you choose the coverage that fits the needs of your business and your budget!

Benefit Plus makes solid business sense Whether through times of economic uncertainty or an economic boom, an Alberta Blue Cross Benefit Plus plan protects the health of your business by maintaining your most important asset: the people who keep your business running. Benefit Plus helps you maintain a healthy workforce, which means reduced absenteeism and turnover—and increased productivity.

In Alberta’s competitive labour market, a Benefit Plus plan also gives you an edge in attracting and retaining quality employees. And if that’s not reason enough to get a Benefit Plus plan, the cost of Benefit Plus is also tax deductible—making coverage a smart business investment.

BASICExtended Health

80% coverage:Least Cost Alternative (LCA) pricing

Allergy serums, insulin and diabetic supplies

Blood testing monitor Up to a maximum of $150 once in any five-year period.

100% coverage: (except where indicated)

Ground and air ambulance

Semi-private/Private hospital room

Psychologist Up to $90 per visit to a maximum of $750 per year.

Physiotherapist Up to $45 per visit to a maximum of $300 per year.

Chiropractor Up to $30 per visit to a maximum of $300 per year.

Podiatrist /Chiropodist Up to $30 per visit to a maximum of $300 per year.

Foot orthotics Up to a maximum of $200 per year.

Eye exams Up to a maximum of $60 every 24 months.

Speech language pathologist Up to $60 per visit to a maximum of $500 per year.

Osteopath Up to $35 per visit to a maximum of $300 per year.

Accidental dental care Up to a maximum of $2,000 per accident.

Diagnostic services Up to a maximum of $150 per year.

Home nursing Up to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Long term care Up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.

Hearing aids Up to a maximum of $750 per four-year period.

Orthopaedic shoes Up to a maximum of $250 per year.

Medical aids

Custom fitted braces Once in a 24-month period.

Prosthetic equipment

Manual wheelchairs One per three-year period.

Manual hospital beds Up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500.

Oxygen Up to a maximum of $2,500 per year.

Ileostomy, colostomy, catheters and supplemental supplies Up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.

DrugDirect bill or reimbursement

$1,000 maximum per participant,

per year.

Dental Out-of-Province Emergency Travel

Second Opinion

$1,000 maximum per participant, per year, for all dental benefits.

100% coverage:New patient exam Once in any five-year period.

Recall exam Once in any 12-month period.

X-ray Once in any 12-month period.

Polishing Once in any 12-month period.

Fluoride Once in any 12-month period under age 19.

Scaling and root planing Up to four time units in a 12-month period.

Limited, specific and emergency exams Once in any 12-month period.

Fillings One per tooth surface in any 24-month period.

Root canals One per tooth in any 24-month period.

Extractions

Partial & complete dentures Once in any five-year period.

Denture repairs One service per denture in any 24-month period.

50% coverage:Periodontics Scaling and root planing in excess of four time units.

Covering up to 30 days of travel per trip with up to $5,000,000 in emergency medical benefits.

Term life insurance Flat amount of $25,000.

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) Flat amount of $25,000.

Provides plan members and eligible dependents with serious medical conditions access to independent medical reviews, diagnoses and treatment recommendations by medical specialists.

Balance is a wellness program that rewards employees for taking control of their health. It offers expert recommended tools and a variety of prizes to encourage healthy living.

Life Insurance BalanceTM

OPTIONS

Red text indicates benefits and amounts only available in the enhanced package

Dental Out-of-Province Emergency Travel

Second Opinion

100% coverage:New patient exam Once in any five-year period.

Recall exam Once in any 12-month period.

X-ray Once in any 12-month period.

Polishing Once in any 12-month period.

Fluoride Once in any 12-month period under age 19.

Scaling and root planing Up to four time units in a 12-month period.

Limited, specific and emergency exams Once in any 12-month period.

Fillings One per tooth surface in any 24-month period.

Root canals One per tooth in any 24-month period.

Extractions

Partial & complete dentures Once in any five-year period.

Denture repairs One service per denture in any 24-month period.

50% coverage:Periodontics Diagnostic services, bruxism appliances, curettage, surgical and adjunctive periodontal services. Scaling and root planing in excess of four time units.

Extensive Implants, inlays and onlays, processed veneers, crown and bridges, posts and cores. Each service allowed once in any five-year period.

Covering up to 30 days of travel per trip with up to $5,000,000 in emergency medical benefits.

Term life insurance Flat amount of $25,000.

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) Flat amount of $25,000.

Provides plan members and eligible dependents with serious medical conditions access to independent medical reviews, diagnoses and treatment recommendations by medical specialists.

Balance is a wellness program that rewards employees for taking control of their health. It offers expert recommended tools and a variety of prizes to encourage healthy living.

Life Insurance BalanceTM

$1,500 maximum per participant, per year, for all dental benefits.

ENHANCEDDrug Extended Health

80% coverage:Least Cost Alternative (LCA) pricing

Allergy serums, insulin and diabetic supplies

Blood testing monitor Up to a maximum of $150 once in any five-year period.

100% coverage: (except where indicated)

Ground and air ambulance

Semi-private/Private hospital room

Psychologist Up to $90 per visit to a maximum of $750 per year.

Physiotherapist Up to $45 per visit to a maximum of $400 per year.

Chiropractor Up to $30 per visit to a maximum of $400 per year.

Podiatrist /Chiropodist Up to $30 per visit to a maximum of $400 per year.

Massage therapist Up to $40 per visit to a maximum of $400 per year.

Acupuncture Up to $40 per visit to a maximum of $400 per year.

Naturopath Up to $40 per visit to a maximum of $400 per year.

Foot orthotics Up to a maximum of $250 per year.

Eye exams Up to a maximum of $75 every 24 months.

Speech language pathologist Up to $60 per visit to a maximum of $500 per year.

Osteopath Up to $35 per visit to a maximum of $300 per year.

Accidental dental care Up to a maximum of $2,000 per accident.

Diagnostic services Up to a maximum of $150 per year.

Home nursing Up to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Long term care Up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.

Hearing aids Up to a maximum of $750 per four-year period.

Orthopaedic shoes Up to a maximum of $250 per year.

Medical aids

Custom fitted braces Once in a 24-month period.

Prosthetic equipment

Manual wheelchairs One per three-year period.

Manual hospital beds Up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500.

Oxygen Up to a maximum of $2,500 per year.

Ileostomy, colostomy, catheters and supplemental supplies Up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.

$1,000 maximum per participant,

per year.

Direct bill Long Term Disability (LTD) Provides security if you face a loss of income due to a lengthy permanent disability. $1,500 coverage available without the submission of a medical evidence questionnaire up to a maximum of $6,000. Available to organizations with three or more employees.

Dependent Life InsuranceProvides financial assistance for an employee in the event of a spouse’s or child’s death. This benefit is provided as a flat amount.

Optional Life Up to a maximum of $250,000.

Critical Condition Benefit (CCB) Our Critical Condition plan, LifeLink®, provides a cash payment when your employees need it most. By easing financial pressure, LifeLink leaves employees better able to cope with the stresses of a critical condition illness.

Vision Eyeglasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery services up to a maximum of $150 per participant every 24 months.

Health Spending Account (HSA) Providing the ultimate blend of flexibility and cost containment.

Added flexibility Alberta Blue Cross Health Spending Accounts (HSA) add flexibility by reimbursing your employees for a wide range of health-related expenses not covered under Benefit Plus or provincial medicare plans. HSAs also help your employees pay co-insurance payments and amounts in excess of their Benefit Plus benefit limits.

Enhanced claiming Remaining balances from Benefit Plus claims automatically flow into the HSA plan—meaning no additional claim forms. With our enhanced claiming processes, it’s easier than ever for employees to submit claims.

®* The Blue Cross symbol and name are registered marks of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, an association of independent Blue Cross plans. Licensed to ABC Benefits Corporation for use in operating the Alberta Blue Cross Plan. ® † Blue Shield is a registered trade-mark of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ABC 80200/40185 2016/05

Life insurance, LTD, AD&D and Critical Condition Benefit underwritten by the Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada.

Call us today!Edmonton 780-498-8500Calgary 403-294-4004Grande Prairie 780-532-3507Lethbridge 403-328-6081Medicine Hat 403-529-5550Red Deer 403-347-7999Toll free 1-866-513-2555

www.ab.bluecross.ca

This brochure provides an overview of the Benefit Plus plan offered by Alberta Blue Cross. It is not a contract nor a complete listing of all benefits.

As the province’s leading provider of quality supplementary health and dental benefits, as well as group life, disability and emergency medical travel coverage, we serve over 1.5 million Albertans—and have been part of Albertans’ lives for over 60 years.

A name you can trust

Unparalleled value Our exclusive best price agreement with Alberta pharmacies guarantees that you and your employees pay the lowest dispensing fee in Alberta. Ambulance operators also give Alberta Blue Cross customers a preferred rate. Our Dental Schedule helps maintain the affordability of dental benefits by providing a consistent basis for payment of dental claims.

Proven expertise Our operations are backed by a team of in-house experts including pharmacists, dental hygienists, consulting dentists, orthodontists and physicians.

Through our local presence and unique understanding of the Alberta marketplace, we respond quickly to provincial health policy changes that affect your plan.

Immediate claims administration Electronic billing by most pharmacy, dental, optical, chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage therapy providers across the province means less paperwork and reduced out-of-pocket expenses for your employees.

Enrolment requirements All eligible employees including owners and managers must enrol for each benefit unless they are already covered through their spouse’s plan. Eligible employees must be working a minimum of 20 hours per week on a full-time permanent basis.

Employer contribution The employer must contribute at least 50% of the overall monthly costs of the plan. Remember, this contribution is considered an operating expense and has some tax advantages for your business. Contributions can be made up to 100% of the cost.

Pre-authorized chequing As this plan uses pre-authorized chequing, we will require the first month’s premium and a voided cheque for future monthly premium withdrawals.

Termination of coverage All Life, LTD, AD&D and Critical Conditions Benefit coverage ceases when employees reach the age of 65. All other coverages terminate at age 70.

Rates The accepted rates will not change for a period of at least 12 months from the agreed effective date of coverage. However, if the effective date changes, adjustments may be required.

Out-of-Province emergency travel coverage Travel coverage is not valid for employees who reside outside of Canada.

No medical requirement There is no medical questionnaire requirement with Benefit Plus. However, it may be required for LTD and Optional Life.

Benefit informationFor more information regarding group benefits, visit www.ab.bluecross.ca/group

To minimize the environmental impact, this brochure is printed on paper made with post-consumer waste fibre. Please recycle this brochure when you are done with it.