A health and dental plan for retirees
Planning your retirement? Or recently retired? Chances are, you have been thinking about what you can do to support your health in the coming years. Whether you're leaving your employer-sponsored group plan or looking to convert a personal plan, we can help you take your next steps.
Retirement benefits your way
The journey ahead looks different for everyone. Choose from 4 levels of coverage for extended health benefits and prescription drug with optional dental to build a customized plan tailored for your retirement.
Are you eligible for the Retiree plan?
You or your spouse must be:
- at least 50 years old
- applying within 90 days of your existing benefits plan ending
Discount for existing Alberta Blue Cross® members
Alberta Blue Cross® group plan members qualify for a discount on the Retiree plan. When you apply, make sure to enter your group and ID number to receive the discount.
Retirement resources
Retiree plan FAQ
Review the Retiree plan FAQ for more information about eligibility, pricing, terms and conditions, and travel benefits.
Retirement guide
Explore the guide for a closer look at retirement health and dental benefits. Learn about what’s covered by the provincial government and what happens when your employer-sponsored group plan ends.
Retiree travel benefits explained
Learn more about our travel benefits with our videos.
Extended health
The total for all extended health claims is $7,500 per year (excluding Accidental Death and Dismemberment and travel insurance).
The Retiree plan now includes Flight Delay Service.Retiree plan members of all levels now have access to Flight Delay Service at no extra cost. Traveling is important to retirees, so we included extensive travel insurance in this plan.
Hospital
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary care (per year) | - | - | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Hospital beds (per lifetime) | - | $1,000 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Hospital cash (per day/per year) | - | $20/$400 | $20/$600 | $25/$800 |
| Home nursing (per year) | - | $2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Preferred hospital accommodations (per year; semi-private or private rooms) | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 |
|
Coverage Auxiliary care (per year) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $1,000 Premium $1,000 |
|
Coverage Hospital beds (per lifetime) Basic - Enhanced $1,000 Enhanced+ $1,500 Premium $3,000 |
|
Coverage Hospital cash (per day/per year) Basic - Enhanced $20/$400 Enhanced+ $20/$600 Premium $25/$800 |
|
Coverage Home nursing (per year) Basic - Enhanced $2,500 Enhanced+ $2,500 Premium $5,000 |
|
Coverage Preferred hospital accommodations (per year; semi-private or private rooms) Basic $1,000 Enhanced $2,000 Enhanced+ $3,000 Premium $5,000 |
Paramedical practitioners
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accidental dental care (per incident) | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Ambulance services (ground and air) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Acupuncturist (per visit) | Basic - |
- | $50 | $105 |
| Audiologist (per visit) | - | - | $50 | $100 |
| Homeopath (per visit) | - | - | $50 | $180 |
| Occupational therapist (per visit) | - | - | $50 | $180 |
| Osteopath (per visit) | - | - | $50 | $150 |
| Naturopath (per visit) | - | - | $50 | $200 |
| Dietitian (per visit) | - | - | - | $175 |
| Combined maximum (per year; includes audiologist, acupuncturist, homeopath, osteopath, naturopath and occupational therapist; Premium level includes dietitian) | - | - | $650 | $650 |
| Chiropractor (per visit) | - | $35 | $35 | $75 |
| Physiotherapist (per visit) | - | $50 | $50 | $120 |
| Massage therapist (per visit) | - | $50 | $50 | $105 |
| Combined maximum (per year; includes chiropractor, physiotherapist and massage therapist) | - | $500 | $750 | $1,400 |
| Podiatrist and chiropodist (per visit) | - | $25 | $25 | $105 |
| Combined maximum (per year; includes podiatrist and chiropodist) | - | $300 | $300 | $500 |
| Psychologist (including iCBT) (per visit/per year) | $75/$450 | $75/$600 | $75/$750 | $225/$1,800 |
| Speech language pathologist (per visit/per year) | - | - | $80/$500 | $150/$600 |
| Individual Assistance Program (IAP) (per calendar year) | 12 sessions | 12 sessions | 12 sessions | 12 sessions |
|
Coverage Accidental dental care (per incident) Basic $2,000 Enhanced $2,500 Enhanced+ $3,000 Premium $5,000 |
|
Coverage Ambulance services (ground and air) Basic 100% Enhanced 100% Enhanced+ 100% Premium 100% |
|
Coverage Acupuncturist (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $50 Premium $105 |
|
Coverage Audiologist (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $50 Premium $100 |
|
Coverage Homeopath (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $50 Premium $180 |
|
Coverage Occupational therapist (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $50 Premium $180 |
|
Coverage Osteopath (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $50 Premium $150 |
|
Coverage Naturopath (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $50 Premium $200 |
|
Coverage Dietitian (per visit) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ - Premium $175 |
|
Coverage Combined maximum (per year; includes acupuncturist, audiologist, homeopath, occupational therapist, osteopath and naturopath; Premium level includes dietitian) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $650 Premium $650 |
|
Coverage Chiropractor (per visit) Basic - Enhanced $35 Enhanced+ $35 Premium $75 |
|
Coverage Physiotherapist (per visit) Basic - Enhanced $50 Enhanced+ $50 Premium $120 |
|
Coverage Massage therapist (per visit) Basic - Enhanced $50 Enhanced+ $50 Premium $105 |
|
Coverage Combined maximum (per year; includes chiropractor, physiotherapist and massage therapist) Basic - Enhanced $500 Enhanced+ $750 Premium $1,400 |
|
Coverage Podiatrist and chiropodist (per visit) Basic - Enhanced $25 Enhanced+ $25 Premium $105 |
|
Coverage Combined maximum (per year; includes podiatrist and chiropodist) Basic - Enhanced $300 Enhanced+ $300 Premium $500 |
|
Coverage Psychologist (including iCBT) (per visit/per year) Basic $75/$450 Enhanced $75/$600 Enhanced+ $75/$750 Premium $225/$1,800 |
|
Coverage Speech language pathologist (per visit/per year) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $80/$500 Premium $150/$600 |
|
Coverage Individual Assistance Program (IAP) (per calendar year) Basic 12 sessions Enhanced 12 sessions Enhanced+ 12 sessions Premium 12 sessions |
Medical device supplies
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure monitor (per 5 years) | - | - | $150 | $150 |
| CPAP sleep apnea appliance (per 5 years) | - | $500 | $750 | $2,000 |
| Custom braces (70% co-pay; per 2 years) | - | $750 | $750 | $1,000 |
| Foot orthotics (per 2 years) | - | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Hearing aids (per 4 years) | - | $500 | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Ileostomy/colostomy, urinary catheters and supplies (per year) | - | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Mastectomy prosthesis (per 2 years, single/double) | - | $200/$400 | $200/$400 | $200/$400 |
| Medical aids (per year; crutches, canes, casts, cervical collars, walkers, splints, trusses and traction kits) | - | $250 | $250 | $250 |
| Oxygen and equipment (per year) | - | - | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Prosthetics (per year, including maximum 6 stump socks) | - | $300 | $300 | $3,000 |
| Surgical brassieres (2 per year) | - | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Surgical stockings (per year) | - | $200 | $200 | $250 |
| Wheelchair (per 3 years) | - | $1,500 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Wigs and hairpieces (per 5 years) | - | $250 | $250 | $250 |
|
Coverage Blood pressure monitor (per 5 years) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $150 Premium $150 |
|
Coverage CPAP sleep apnea appliance (per 5 years) Basic - Enhanced $500 Enhanced+ $750 Premium $2,000 |
|
Coverage Custom braces (70% co-pay; per 2 years) Basic - Enhanced $750 Enhanced+ $750 Premium $1,000 |
|
Coverage Foot orthotics (per 2 years) Basic - Enhanced $300 Enhanced+ $300 Premium $300 |
|
Coverage Hearing aids (per 4 years) Basic - Enhanced $500 Enhanced+ $1,000 Premium $3,000 |
|
Coverage Ileostomy/colostomy, urinary catheters and supplies (per year) Basic - Enhanced $1,200 Enhanced+ $1,200 Premium $1,200 |
|
Coverage Mastectomy prosthesis (per 2 years, single/double) Basic - Enhanced $200/$400 Enhanced+ $200/$400 Premium $200/$400 |
|
Coverage Medical aids (per year; crutches, canes, casts, cervical collars, walkers, splints, trusses and traction kits) Basic - Enhanced $250 Enhanced+ $250 Premium $250 |
|
Coverage Oxygen and equipment (per year) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ $1,000 Premium $2,500 |
|
Coverage Prosthetics (per year, including maximum 6 stump socks) Basic - Enhanced $300 Enhanced+ $300 Premium $3,000 |
|
Coverage Surgical brassieres (2 per year) Basic - Enhanced $50 Enhanced+ $50 Premium $50 |
|
Coverage Surgical stockings (per year) Basic - Enhanced $200 Enhanced+ $200 Premium $250 |
|
Coverage Wheelchair (per 3 years) Basic - Enhanced $1,500 Enhanced+ $1,500 Premium $3,000 |
|
Coverage Wigs and hairpieces (per 5 years) Basic - Enhanced $250 Enhanced+ $250 Premium $250 |
Vision care
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vision care including eye exams (per 2 years) | $150 | $300 | $500 | $600 |
|
Coverage Vision care including eye exams (per 2 years) Basic $150 Enhanced $300 Enhanced+ $500 Premium $600 |
Travel
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Care coverage per trip | $5 million | $5 million | $5 million | $5 million |
| Travel days (per trip) | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days | 120 days |
| Discount on Emergency Medical Care applied to the extra days you need | 15% | 20% | 25% | 25% |
| Discount on Trip Cancellation or Interruption | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Access to Flight Delay Service | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Stability clause | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
|
Coverage Emergency Medical Care coverage per trip Basic $5 million Enhanced $5 million Enhanced+ $5 million Premium $5 million |
|
Coverage Travel days (per trip) Basic 30 days Enhanced 60 days Enhanced+ 90 days Premium 120 days |
|
Coverage Discount on Emergency Medical Care applied to the extra days you need Basic 15% Enhanced 20% Enhanced+ 25% Premium 25% |
|
Coverage Discount on Trip Cancellation or Interruption Basic 10% Enhanced 10% Enhanced+ 10% Premium 10% |
|
Coverage Access to Flight Delay Service Basic Included Enhanced Included Enhanced+ Included Premium Included |
|
Coverage Stability clause Basic 90 days Enhanced 90 days Enhanced+ 90 days Premium 90 days |
Life
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)** | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
|
Coverage Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)** Basic $15,000 Enhanced $20,000 Enhanced+ $25,000 Premium $25,000 |
**Underwritten by Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada®.
Wellness
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance®—online program that promotes wellness and helps you live a healthier lifestyle. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Blue Advantage®—discount program for health and wellness products. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Care navigation—lifestyle and chronic disease management through our website. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Virtual Care—telemedicine program that offers 24/7 access to physical and mental health care professionals | Included | Included | Included | Included |
|
Coverage Balance®—online program that promotes wellness and helps you live a healthier lifestyle. Basic Included Enhanced Included Enhanced+ Included Premium Included |
|
Coverage Blue Advantage®—discount program for health and wellness products. Basic Included Enhanced Included Enhanced+ Included Premium Included |
|
Coverage Care navigation—lifestyle and chronic disease management through our website. Basic Included Enhanced Included Enhanced+ Included Premium Included |
|
Coverage Virtual Care—telemedicine program that offers 24/7 access to physical and mental health care professionals Basic Included Enhanced Included Enhanced+ Included Premium Included |
Optional dental*
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (per year) | $750 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Basic and preventive care (includes checkups, cleanings, fillings, extractions and root canals) | 70% | 75% | 80% | 90% |
| Dentures | - | 50% | 50% | 60% |
| Periodontics | - | 50% | 80% | 90% |
| Extensive (includes crowns, bridges and implants) | - | - | 50% | 60% |
|
Coverage Maximum (per year) Basic $750 Enhanced $1,500 Enhanced+ $2,000 Premium $5,000 |
|
Coverage Basic and preventive care (includes checkups, cleanings, fillings, extractions and root canals) Basic 70% Enhanced 75% Enhanced+ 80% Premium 90% |
|
Coverage Dentures Basic - Enhanced 50% Enhanced+ 50% Premium 60% |
|
Coverage Periodontics Basic - Enhanced 50% Enhanced+ 80% Premium 90% |
|
Coverage Extensive (includes crowns, bridges and implants) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ 50% Premium 60% |
*Alberta Blue Cross® Individual Health Plan Usual and Customary Dental Fee List.
Prescription drug
|
Coverage
|
Basic
|
Enhanced
|
Enhanced+
|
Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (per year; includes diabetic supplies and Glucose Monitoring Systems (GMS), contraceptives, smoking cessation and vaccines) | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Weight loss drugs, hair loss and sexual dysfunction drugs (per year combined maximum; within overall $5,000 maximum) | - | - | - | $1,000 |
| Coverage level (direct bill) | 70% | 75% | 80% | 90% |
| Blue CareTM Pharmacist's advice to help navigate high-cost drug claims | Included | Included | Included | Included |
|
Coverage Maximum (per year; includes diabetic supplies and Glucose Monitoring Systems (GMS), contraceptives, smoking cessation and vaccines) Basic $1,000 Enhanced $2,000 Enhanced+ $3,000 Premium $5,000 |
|
Coverage Weight loss drugs, hair loss and sexual dysfunction drugs (per year combined maximum; within overall $5,000 maximum) Basic - Enhanced - Enhanced+ - Premium $1,000 |
|
Coverage Coverage level (direct bill) Basic 70% Enhanced 75% Enhanced+ 80% Premium 90% |
|
Coverage Blue CareTM Pharmacist's advice to help navigate high-cost drug claims Basic Included Enhanced Included Enhanced+ Included Premium Included |
Additional features
Balance®
Your Retiree plan includes exclusive access to Balance®, our online wellness program to support and promote your health.
Blue Advantage®
You will also enjoy access to Blue Advantage®, a program that enables Alberta Blue Cross® plan members to save on medical, vision care and many other products and services regardless of whether the item is covered under your benefit plan or not.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Retiree plan
Browse by topic to find the information you need.
Featured topics
Browse FAQ by topic
Eligibility rules
Find out who's eligible to apply and review key enrolment details.
Pricing
Learn more about plan rates.
Coverage details
Get answers to coverage-related questions.
Travel
Explore common questions about the travel coverage included in the Retiree plan.
Privacy
Learn how we keep your information safe and secure.
Retirement guide
Whether you’re retiring, leaving your employer-sponsored group benefits plan or assisting aging parents, this guide is designed to help you understand the complexity of retirement health benefits.