Benefits that go beyond retirement
The Retiree plan allows you to stay protected with health and dental benefits designed for life after work.
Benefits that go beyond retirement
The Retiree plan allows you to stay protected with health and dental benefits designed for life after work.
Travel, relax, and take advantage of your retirement worry free. You’ve earned it!
If you’re between the ages of 50 and 74 and covered under your province’s health insurance plan you can apply within 60 days of moving off your employee benefits. Choose from 3 coverage levels for your health, drug and dental benefits. Plus, get access to travel coverage, online health solutions, and discounts on many health-related products and services.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health coverage | |||
| Coverage | 80% reimbursement | 80% reimbursement | 80% reimbursement |
| Health practitioners | |||
| Acupuncturist, Athletic Therapist, Audiologist, Chiropractor, Dietetitian, Homeopath, Kinotherapist, Massage Therapist (RX required), Naturopath, Occupational Therapist, Orthotherapist, Osteopath, Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy Technologist, Podiatrist / Chiropodist, Speech Therapist | |||
| Annual maximum | $200 per practitioner per year, up to $1,000 combined | $400 per practitioner per year, up to $2,000 combined | $600 per practitioner per year, up to $3,000 combined |
| Mental health practitioners | |||
| Counselling/Psychoeducator, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Social Worker | |||
| Combined annual maximum | $300 | $500 | $700 |
| Hospital accommodation | 100% reimbursement up to $1,000 | 100% reimbursement up to $2,000 | 100% reimbursement up to $5,000 |
| Ambulance services (ground & air) | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Nursing care at home | $3,000 per calendar year up to $15,000 lifetime | $4,000 per calendar year up to $20,000 lifetime | $5,000 per calendar year up to $25,000 lifetime |
| Medical equipment | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Medical supplies | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Mobility aids/ orthopedic appliances | $1,000 every 3 calendar years | $1,500 every 3 calendar years | $2,000 every 3 calendar years |
| Foot care benefits | $200 | $250 | $300 |
| Blood pressure monitor (with prescription) | Not covered | $75 every 5 calendar years | $100 every 5 calendar years |
| Vision (including eye exam) | $200 every 2 calendar years | $375 every 2 calendar years | $500 every 2 calendar years |
| Drug coverage (Optional only to applicants already covered by a government drug plan) | |||
| Coverage | 80% reimbursement | 80% reimbursement | 80% reimbursement |
| Annual maximum | $2,000 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Diabetic supplies, including glucose monitoring system | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Dental coverage (Optional) | |||
| Coverage | 70% reimbursement | 75% reimbursement | 80% reimbursement |
| Annual dental maximum | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Major dental (crowns, bridges, and implants) | Not covered | 50% | 60% |
| Travel coverage | |||
| Coverage | 100% reimbursement | 100% reimbursement | 100% reimbursement |
| Maximum per trip | $5,000,000 per person per trip | $5,000,000 per person per trip | $5,000,000 per person per trip |
| Travel days per trip | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days |
| Termination age | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Accidental death and dismemberment* | |||
| Coverage amount | $15,000 (member &spouse) $5,000 (child) | $20,000 (member & spouse) $5,000 (child) | $25,000 (member & spouse) $5,000 (child) |
| Termination age | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Online doctors | |||
| Virtual medical visits | Not covered | 4 per year | 4 per year |
Benefits maximums are per calendar year unless otherwise stated
*Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada underwrites Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage
Your Retiree plan comes with convenient health care features
Blue Advantage
Discounts on health-related products and services
Health Connected
Our online health portal and health risk assessment tool
Connected Care
Member-exclusive and preferred pricing for innovative, convenient health care options
inConfidence
Family assistance and short-term counselling for life challenges
Online Doctors
Secure access to text, audio or video with a doctor on your computer or mobile device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting your coverage
You are eligible to apply if you are:
- leaving an employer-sponsored group benefit plan
- aged 50-74
- covered by a provincial health insurance plan
You must apply within 60 days of termination from your employer-sponsored group benefit plan or up to 90 days in advance of your retirement date.
You may choose to make your coverage effective the 1st day of the month or 1st day of the next month you lose your group benefits. As an example, if you lose your group benefits on September 15th, you can choose to make your plan effective September 1st or October 1st.
No, there is no waiting period applicable. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of your plan effective date.
Health coverage is mandatory on all retiree plans. For drug coverage, you can only opt out if you are covered by a government drug plan. Dental coverage is not mandatory but we recommend that all applicants keep this coverage unless they are already covered by an existing dental care plan. Adding dental coverage to this plan at a later date is only possible with proof of recent dental coverage on another plan.
Yes. Drug and dental coverage are optional if you already have government coverage.
Managing your plan
You can change your coverage by one plan level (for example, switch from Silver to Gold) every 24 consecutive months of coverage. No medical underwriting is required.
Most coverage continues for life. However, your travel coverage terminates at age 85, based on the age of the participant. For example, if you turn 85, your travel coverage will terminate, but your spouse’s will remain active until they reach age 85. Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage ends at age 75.
Yes, your spouse would be eligible to remain on the Retiree Plan, with continued payment of premiums.
This plan is only available to applicants 50-74 who are coming off of an existing employer-sponsored group benefit plan. If you leave the plan you will need to provide proof of existing coverage to rejoin.
The Retiree plan features a digital ID card. Once your application has been processed and you are eligible to use your benefits, you will receive your welcome email with a link to your member ID and benefit information.
To use your benefits, simply show your provider the ID card featured on the Medavie Blue Cross Mobile app. Alternately, you can print out a version of your ID Card from our Member Services Site at medaviebc.ca.
Travel
All Retiree plan members enjoy peace of mind when travelling outside Canada through:
- Coverage for emergency medical services including hospitalization, medical appliances, drugs and ambulance services.
- Assistance 24 hours a day — 7 days a week with Worldwide Travel Assistance
- We provide Worldwide Travel Assistance to ensure you have access to services and assistance when you need it. Through the toll-free number, your Worldwide Travel Assistance will help you arrange care, payment to hospitals and health care providers and directions to the most appropriate clinic or hospital.
- Worldwide Travel Assistance also provides necessary confirmation of your coverage to health professionals and can arrange for a family member to join you in the event of a medical emergency. Beyond medical needs, your travel assistance can also ensure transmittal of urgent messages along with coordinating claims and interpretation services
Your travel policy includes a stability clause, meaning you must be stable in the 90 days prior to departure.
Medavie Blue Cross defines a medical condition as stable if you have not had any of the following:
- been treated or evaluated for new symptoms or related conditions;
- had symptoms that increased in frequency or severity, or examination findings indicating the condition has worsened;
- been prescribed a new Treatment or change in Treatment for the condition (generally does not include reductions in medication due to improvement in the condition, or regular changes in medication as part of an established Treatment plan);
- been admitted to or treated in a hospital for the condition; or
- been awaiting new treatments or tests regarding the medical condition (does not include routine tests).
The above criteria will be considered collectively in relation to the overall medical condition