Spring 2025
Accessing tax documents with ease
Are your employees eligible to claim medical expenses on their tax returns? They may need one or both of the following documents:
- Claim totals report: to claim unpaid balances for health and dental expenses.
- Receipt of payment: to claim the cost of premiums if they paid for a personal plan or Non-Group Coverage (those with Group 1 on their ID cards).
Both tax documents are available for instant download on our secure member site. Alternatively, members can request a mailed copy if they prefer paper documents
Prioritizing fraud prevention and transparency
March is Fraud Prevention Month—a great reminder for employers to lead with integrity and create a culture of openness. We know that building a trustworthy work environment starts with communication, so our safe disclosure policy is here to help. It allows your team to report any good-faith concerns confidentially and without fear of retaliation. They can easily reach out through our independent third-party Confidence Line at 1-866-441-8477 or visit our Confidence Line.
Boost employee engagement with new rewards!
We invite you to share an exciting chance for your members to win! Members who complete their Health Risk Assessment (HRA) on Balance between April 1 and June 30 will be entered to win one of ten $500 President’s Choice Gift Cards. In 2025, our Reward Store on Balance has been enhanced, offering:
- Over $140,000 in lottery prizes available throughout the year.
- Prizes are from Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, Walmart, Costco, Amazon and more.
Download our new report on workforce wellbeing
Wellbeing at work is evolving beyond cost-cutting measures. Our latest report, "Creating a High-Performing Workforce: The Importance of a Wellbeing Strategy," reveals how companies are prioritizing resilience, productivity, talent retention and overall business performance through comprehensive wellbeing programs. Get the insights you need.
2024 Community Wellbeing grant recipients announced
This year, our Community Wellbeing grant program has made a significant impact by supporting organizations that promote health and wellbeing across Alberta. We received a massive number of deserving applications, encouraging us to increase the number of program recipients from 30 to 50! You can find the full list of grant recipients on our website.
Know of a non-profit organization that can benefit? The grant offers $1000 to 50 organizations that are supporting the physical, mental and social wellbeing of our community. The application process is now open.
Winter 2024
Is your tech team thriving?
In today's competitive tech landscape, supporting employee wellbeing isn't just nice to have, it's a business imperative. With tech workers facing unique challenges like digital eye strain, isolation from remote work and constant pressure to stay competitive, companies are seeing increased turnover and decreased productivity.
A recent study shows that employees who feel supported are three times more likely to be engaged and 71% less likely to experience burnout.
Now accepting applications: Indigenous scholarship program
Alberta Blue Cross® is proud to offer nine $1,500 scholarships to members of a First Nation or band, or Inuit or Métis status students pursuing full-time post-secondary education in Alberta. Now open to all years of study, the awards recognize academic achievement, community involvement and financial need. Applications are open until January 31, 2025.
Building success through employee benefits: Harding Technologies spotlight
Edmonton's Harding Technologies has thrived for over five decades by putting their people first. In a recent National Post feature, President Maya de Oliveira shares how their comprehensive benefits package has driven employee retention, with many team members staying for over 20 years.
Postal service strike: What this means for you
Due to the ongoing Canada Post labour disruption, postal services are currently suspended across Canada. We want to assure you that we have measures in place to ensure this will not affect your benefits coverage or claims processing. Visit our postal service strike guide for more information.
Holiday service hours
Our offices are closed from December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025. We'll resume regular operations on January 2, 2025.
Call centre
- Pharmacy Call Centre: Closed December 25 and 26 only.
- Health and Dental Provider Centre: Open December 30 and 31.
- General Call Centre: Open December 30 and 31 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT).
Claims and authorizations
Health and Dental claims processing will continue through winter break.
Emergency travel support
24/7 support continues without interruption.
Planning holiday travel?
If travelling outside Alberta, purchase travel insurance in advance. Our specialists are available December 26, 27, and 30 from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MT at 1-800-394-1965, option 4.
Online services
Our plan administrator site is available 24/7. Additionally, our member site and app are available during the holiday period for coverage details, claims submission, and ID card access.
Fall 2024
We’re celebrating small business week with an Oilers vs. Flames ticket giveaway!
Small business week is October 20 to 26, and we’re showing our appreciation by giving away 2 tickets to the Oilers vs. Flames game on October 13 in Edmonton. If you’re the owner, plan sponsor or account administrator of a small business with a registered Alberta Blue Cross® group plan, you could win your way into the next Battle of Alberta game.
Note: a small business is defined as having 1 to 499 employees. Please review all rules and regulations before entering
Do you know a face of wellness?
Our fourth annual Faces of Wellness program runs until November 1. We’re accepting applications and nominations from Albertans who champion wellness and have embraced the courage to overcome. Those recognized as faces of wellness have the chance to win amazing wellness-themed prizes including the grand prize of a weekend away in the Alberta Rockies. If you or one of your employees could be one of our next faces of wellness, let us know by November 1.
You could earn $1,000 for giving back to your community
We want to ensure that communities across Alberta have the resources they need to create healthy, vibrant lives—and that the organizations making it happen are properly recognized. The Community Wellbeing grant program celebrates exceptional organizations promoting the physical, mental or social wellbeing of our community members. If your organization is making a difference in the health and wellness of Albertans, then you could win one of 30 grants of $1,000 through the Community Wellbeing grant program.
What’s on the horizon for diabetes, weight loss and more
Every year, we write a drug pipeline white paper so our plan sponsors can better understand the latest trends affecting plan costs, coverage and sustainability. By monitoring the drug and health landscape, we can better predict what changes you might see in the future and how to prepare for those changes now. Medication for diabetes, weight loss and ADHD are all on the rise—see what else might affect your plan and how we’re managing our approach.
We partner with like-minded businesses
We partner with businesses of all sizes, from global corporations to small businesses. Indigenous Box is one of our small business clients, and we’re proud to support them in their work towards economic reconciliation. Indigenous Box creates bespoke gift boxes filled with products from other Indigenous retailers, which has a huge impact on the Indigenous retail chain and helps even more small businesses. Learn more about their work and the small benefits plan we tailored for them through our Wellness Wednesdays feature on Global News.
Spring 2024
Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides dental coverage to Canadians who meet specific eligibility criteria. In addition to what we sent you in November, we have some key updates to share, including who qualifies for the plan and how it impacts you as an employer.
Life and Disability claim process change
Effective April 1, Alberta Blue Cross® is no longer accepting Life and Disability claims through email. Both types of claims can be submitted on our member site or through a paper form in the mail, and disability claims can also be submitted through our plan administrator website. Special access is required for the plan administrator website. If you have not done so, please email the completed plan administrator access form to groupeligibility@ab.bluecross.ca.
Top 10 health conditions based on drug claims for 2023
Understanding what conditions are impacting your plan members and your organization, as well as the resulting cost, is important. Alberta Blue Cross® monitors and reviews drug claim information to provide insight into the prevalence of health conditions in our populations and the associated costs that can impact plan sustainability in the future.
Help us tackle period poverty
In Canada, menstruation is one of the top 2 reasons why people who menstruate miss work. The inability to access period products is a contributing factor. In 2023, Alberta Blue Cross® was the first organization to support the Period Promise Pledge through the United Way Alberta Capital Region. Join us and commit to providing free menstrual products in a dignified way to employees, members, guests, clients and the public at your organization.
Winter 2023
Meet the 2023 Built Together grant recipients
We are thrilled to announce the 5 recipients of the 2023 Built Together grant program. Each year, this program awards 5 grants of $50,000 for healthy living infrastructure projects across Alberta. Congratulations to the 2023 recipients. The 2024 Built Together program will open this spring.
Meet our Faces of Wellness honourees
For the third year, Faces of Wellness recognizes inspiring Albertans who shared their stories of wellness for a chance to win wellness-themed prizes. We received more than 200 nominations and applications across the province. After reading amazing stories of physical, mental and social wellness, we found our grand prize recipient and 10 finalists.
How our experts use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect fraud
Alberta Blue Cross®, we’re embracing AI technology to help fight fraud. With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, identify anomalies and make decisions faster, AI has the power to transform the fraud detection process. Naz Tahmasebi, manager of Analytics and Reporting, has written a white paper on the topic. We break down some of her main points on our blog.
Supporting employees with virtual care
Accessing timely care can be a challenge. Dealing with long wait times or managing a busy schedule often leads to delayed care. Virtual care makes it easier for your employees to get the support they need. Whether you are looking to boost productivity, promote a culture of wellness or stand out as an employer of choice, virtual care can offer significant advantages for your bottom line.
What you need to know about Ozempic
Lately, Ozempic has been featured in the news, not only due to its impact on Type 2 diabetes but also for weight loss, which isn’t approved in Canada. Learn more about Ozempic and why it’s receiving so much media coverage, how we’re managing it and the impact on you and your plan members.
Changes to the plan administrator website
Effective April 1, plan administrators will no longer have the ability to add or update beneficiary information for plan members on the plan administrator website. Plan members must visit our member site to review and update their beneficiaries. They can also mail a completed beneficiary designation change form to Alberta Blue Cross.
Please be aware that a new member enrolment will default to "estate" as their beneficiary until the update is made by the member directly or the form is sent to us.
Fall 2023
Protect with Optional Life insurance | Alberta Blue Cross®
We know that the wellbeing of your employees matters to you. Although a comprehensive benefit plan is critical to support your workforce, have you considered adding an additional layer of protection with Group Optional Life coverage? Life is full of changes and so are the needs of your employees. By giving them more choice over their life insurance, you showcase a commitment to personalized benefits that cater to a diverse, ever-changing workforce.
Invest in Group Critical Illness Insurance | Alberta Blue Cross®
Life can be unpredictable and dealing with a critical illness can be extremely challenging—physically, emotionally and financially. With Group Critical Illness Insurance, employers can help reduce this burden by focusing on recovery from conditions like cancer, stroke or heart attack. Employees who are more financially secure are more likely to experience improved mental health—resulting in a healthier and happier workforce.
Travel insurance: all you need to know | Alberta Blue Cross®
Nothing beats the peace of mind of knowing you’re protected if the unexpected happens when travelling, but travel insurance can be confusing. It’s important your employees understand what travel coverage they have under through group benefits plan to determine what additional add-ons they may need for their upcoming trips.