Health insurance coverage for New Brunswick residents aged 65+
For residents of New Brunswick aged 65 & older
If you're age 65 or older, you may qualify for the Medavie Blue Cross Seniors' Prescription Drug Program and Seniors' Health Program, which provide prescription drug coverage and optional hospital, health and dental benefits
Uninsured New Brunswickers 65 years of age or older may enrol.
You will be accepted into the Seniors’ Program if:
- you apply within 60 days following your 65th birthday, or
- you are older than age 65 and you apply within 60 days following the cancellation of a previous plan, or
- you are older than age 65 and you apply within 60 days following gaining eligibility for NB Medicare as a new resident.
If you apply within 60 days following your 65th birthday, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you apply within 60 days following cancellation of another plan, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following the cancellation date.
If you did not apply within the 60-day limit, you may apply as a late applicant but are required to complete a medical questionnaire for drug coverage. You may or may not be accepted, based on your medical history. A one-year waiting period will apply to late applicants for some Health Benefits.
To begin this process, call toll free:
- For Prescription Drug Coverage: 1-800-332-3692
- For Health and Dental Coverage: 1-844-209-7599
If you are a late applicant, your prescription drug coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following the receipt of your application.
Prescription Drug and Health Benefits
Medavie Blue Cross Seniors’ Prescription Drug Program
Medavie Blue Cross, in cooperation with the New Brunswick Department of Health provides members the same benefits as those provided by the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program. For more information, visit www.gnb.ca/NBPDP.
Medavie Blue Cross Seniors' Health Program
Optional Hospital & Health Coverage
To complement your drug coverage, consider adding hospital coverage and health benefits to design a plan to best suit your needs.
Hospital benefits
Hospital benefits cover 80% up to $50 per day up to a maximum of 90 days per year towards a semi-private or private hospital room. This plan does not provide hospitalization coverage for the first three months following enrolment.
Dental Benefits
Dental benefits are covered at 70% and include: recall exam, polishing, scaling, fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, minor denture repair, denture reline and rebase. Frequency limits may apply. This plan does not provide dental coverage for the first six months following enrollment.
Health coverage
Health coverage offers Basic and Enhanced plan options.
Accidental Death Benefit*
Accidental Death is included under both the Basic Health Benefits and Enhanced Health Benefits and pays $5,000 for a member whose life is taken by an accident.
*Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada underwrites Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage.
Health Benefits Comparison Chart
| Health Benefits | Basic Health Benefits 80% | Enhanced Health Benefits 80% |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetic Test Strips and Lancets* | $320 per year | $320 per year |
| Diabetic Needles and Syringes* | $180 per year | $180 per year |
| Gradient Pressure Supports | 2 per year | 2 per year |
| Hearing Aids* | $320 every 5 years | $320 every 5 years |
| Braces, Splints, Orthotics | $200 per year | $400 per year |
| Custom-made Ankle Foot Brace | $300 per year | $400 per year |
| Ostomy Supplies* | Covered | Covered |
| Prosthetic Limb* | Maximums and frequency limits apply | Maximums and frequency limits apply |
| Breast Prosthesis* | $160 every two years | $160 every two years |
| Hair Prosthesis* | $240 per lifetime | $240 per lifetime |
| Tracheotomy Supplies | Covered | Covered |
| Vision Care* | $64 every 2 years | $100 every 2 years |
| X-ray | $20 per year combined with Chiropractor maximum | $20 per year combined with health practitioners maximum |
Health Practitioners
| Health Practitioners | Basic Health Benefits 80% | Enhanced Health Benefits 80% |
|---|---|---|
| Chiropractor | $12 per visit up to $100 per year combined with X-ray | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Podiatrist | $16 per visit up to 5 visits per year | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Psychologist | ▲ | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Massage Therapist | ▲ | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Osteopath | ▲ | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Physiotherapist | ▲ | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Speech Therapist | ▲ | $200 per year, per health practitioner up to a combined maximum of $400 per year |
| Respiratory Devices | ▲ | $400 every 3 years |
| Incontinent/Catheter Products | ▲ | Covered |
| Accidental Dental | ▲ | $7,000 per lifetime |
| Ambulance | ▲ | $400 per year |
| Emergency Drugs (out of Province but within Canada) | ▲ | Covered |
| Equipment Rental* | ▲ | Covered |
| Nursing | ▲ | $250 per year |
| Oxygen Equipment* | ▲ | $1,600 every 3 years |
| Oxygen* | ▲ | $1,200 per year |
| Blood Glucose Monitor* | ▲ | $80 every 5 years |
| Orthopaedic Shoes and Supplies | ▲ | $100 per year |
| Eye Prosthesis* | ▲ | $300 every 3 years |
| Contact lenses due to disease* | ▲ | $200 every 2 years |
*Late Applicant Provision: There is a one year waiting period for certain benefits under Health Benefits coverage (Basic and Enhanced) if you do not apply within 60 days following your 65th birthday, or within 60 days following the termination date of other health benefits, or within 60 days of obtaining NB Medicare as a new resident.
▲ Benefit not covered
Rates
$140/month
($15 co-pay per prescription)
$57.26/month
$31.50/month
$20/month
$30/month
How do I apply?
For Prescription Drug Program
Complete the application form and mail, or fax us the form.
Telephone: 1-800-332-3692
Fax: 1-888-455-8322
Email: [email protected]
For Hospital, Health and Dental Program
Complete the application form and mail, email or fax us the form.
Telephone: 1-844-209-7599
Fax: 1-855-551-9984
Email: [email protected]