Health & Welfare

EXTENDED HEALTH

Extended Health coverage is provided through Pacific Blue Cross (PBC).


DEDUCTIBLE & CO-INSURANCE

For each calendar year, you will be required to pay the first $50 deductible (per family, per calendar year) and 20% of all eligible expenses after that.  Once an individual has had $1,000 in claims reimbursed, in a calendar year, all further eligible expenses are covered 100%.


PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

This benefit incorporates the BC Fair Pharmacare program and it is not necessary to mail in forms for reimbursement from either Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) or Pharmacare for prescription drugs.  You are required to produce the PBC “Blue-NET” membership card for this convenient direct pay prescription service.


ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Covered expenses, which are over and above basic MSP coverage, include:

  • Prescription Drugs
  • Emergency out of Province Medical Expense
  • Specialist Services
  • Special Nursing
  • Private or Semi-Private Hospital Rooms
  • Ambulance
  • Health Professionals
  • Wheelchairs, Crutches, Splints, etc.
  • Hearing Aids (for adults $1,000/3 years) Effective Jan 1, 2024

EMERGENCY OUT OF COUNTRY/PROVINCE COVERAGE

Members travelling outside of the Province should be aware that our Extended Health Coverage is unlimited (except pre-existing conditions and Plan “C”).  Therefore, if you plan on travelling in the USA. or other countries, it may not be necessary to purchase additional medical insurance.

Every member should have a “Medex” card which lists telephone numbers for assistance in emergencies when travelling in other countries.


COVID-19 TRAVEL INSURANCE INFORMATION

For further information on Pacific Blue Cross’ Travel Insurance information for Covid-19, please visit https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/covid19/


PACIFIC BLUE CROSS BOOKLETS

Booklets Prior to January 1, 2024

Booklets Effective January 1, 2024


COVERAGE AFTER TERMINATION

Members should also be aware that they can convert to an individual PBC extended health plan within 60 days of termination of their group plan.  PBC will waive the pre-existing condition under this conversion option.  Please refer to the “Termination of coverage” section of the PBC extended health brochure (links above).


CLAIMS, FORMS AND MEDEX CARDS

Medex cards and PBC Claim forms are available at the Welfare Plan Office.  In addition, electronic PBC claim forms are on the PBC website and in the Forms Library on this site.

  PBC Group/Policy Number
Active Employees (Plan A or B) 183149
Retired Employees (Plan C) 149402

For PBC claims information and online forms use the number above along with the members PBC Number for ID number at:

www.pac.bluecross.ca/members/member.html 

For information on how to register for PBC’s Caresnet website and mobile app, please refer to this CaresnetBrochure guide.