More companies want innovative benefits partners. One top provider in Canada is Medavie Blue Cross. They offer health and other benefits backed by financial strength, technology, and service.
This review tells employers about Medavie’s benefits. It looks at the company, benefit plans, administration, and reputation. The goal is a full view of a top Canadian benefits carrier for organizations improving benefits.
Medavie Blue Cross Company Overview
Medavie Blue Cross is a leading not-for-profit health solutions company in Canada, serving over 1.9 million members. It provides health, dental, vision, disability, life, and travel benefits, along with specialty administration services.
Medavie Blue Cross was founded in 1943 as the Maritime Hospital Service Association. Today, Medavie Blue Cross has a national presence with over 8,000 employees across six provinces. Their headquarters are located in Moncton, New Brunswick, running operations across their different entities:
- Medavie Blue Cross – Health and Dental Insurance
- Medavie Travel Services – Travel Insurance
- Medavie Health Services – Health Management Programs
- Medavie ProCert – Group Retirement Solutions
- Medavie EMS – Emergency Care Services
Medavie Blue Cross partners with professional associations, financial institutions and insurance brokers/advisors to deliver benefit solutions. They serve all industry segments, including healthcare, education, government, food services, manufacturing, oil and gas, construction, consulting and non-profit.
Some of their major clients include Walmart Canada, McKesson Canada, Maple Leaf Foods, Rogers Communications, Hydro One, the Canadian Medical Association, and the YMCA.
President and CEO John Knight heads the executive leadership team. Medavie Blue Cross operates with core values focused on people, collaboration, accountability, transformative experiences, and trust.
Source: https://www.medavie.ca/en/about-us/history/
Medavie Blue Cross Employee Benefits Offerings
Medavie Blue Cross provides comprehensive group benefits offerings and support covering all major categories:
Medavie Blue Cross Health Benefits
Medavie Blue Cross offers extensive health benefits, including prescription drugs, dental insurance, vision care, hospital, paramedical practitioners, medical supplies and more. They have partnered with over many healthcare providers to ensure access across Canada. Here are some details on their significant offerings:
Medavie Blue Cross Prescription Drugs
- Covered items include insulin, diabetic supplies, iron supplements, allergy serums, etc.
- Support for high-cost specialty drugs like Enbrel, Humira, etc.
- Generic drug substitution policies to control costs
- Multiple plan choices – deductibles, co-insurance levels, annual caps
- Maintenance drug lists to lower copays on specific chronic medications
- 90-100-day dispensing provisions for convenience and adherence
Medavie Blue Cross Hospital Benefits
- Private, semi-private or ward-level accommodation
- Convalescent care coverage post-hospitalization
- Cash allowance benefits are also offered
- Pre-approval programs to determine appropriateness
Medavie Blue Cross Paramedical Services
- Acupuncturists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, osteopaths etc.
- Individual and combined benefit maximums
- Additional coverage for mental health counselling
- Direct billing arrangements with many practitioners
Medavie Blue Cross Medical Supplies and Prosthetics
- Mobility aids, braces, wheelchairs, CPAP machines etc.
- Artificial eyes/limbs, breast prosthetics after mastectomy
- Wigs for chemotherapy patients
- Blood glucose monitors for diabetics
Medavie Blue Cross Vision Care
- Eye exams and diagnostic tests
- Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Corrective laser eye surgery
- Visual therapy, low vision aids
Other Benefits
- Ambulance transportation, private duty nursing
- Accidental dental treatment, custom foot orthotics
- Compression stockings, smoking cessation aids
- Hearing aids, bone density tests, dialysis equipment
Overall, Medavie Blue Cross provides the most comprehensive coverage in the market. They integrate wellness options like dietitian services, which help enhance productivity and health. Employers can craft programs for different cohorts based on demographics and need analysis.
Medavie Blue Cross Dental Benefits
Medavie Blue Cross offers both primary and comprehensive dental benefits programs:
Basic Coverage
- Preventive services – exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride
- Restorative – fillings, extractions, root canals
- Denture repairs and adjustments
Enhanced Coverage
- Orthodontics – braces for both adults and children
- Major restorative – crowns, bridges, implants
- Periodontics – treatment for gum disease
Other Features
- Options for fee guide or percentage reimbursement
- Carryover amounts for unused maximums
- Direct EFT payments to dentists
- Online claims submission through eConnect
Medavie Blue Cross partners with almost all dentists across Canada to ensure broad access. Unique offerings like dental implants and sports mouth guards are also available to provide robust coverage.
Medavie Blue Cross Group Life and Disability Insurance
Medavie Blue Cross offers a rounded suite of life, accident and disability insurance options:
- Essential and optional life insurance
- Dependent and family life insurance
- Short and long-term disability (own occupation/any occupation definitions)
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Advance payment options for terminal illnesses
- Survivor benefits for spouses
- Workplace modification and rehabilitation
- Employee assistance and mental health supports
- Waiver of premium for approved disabilities
Medavie Blue Cross takes an empathetic approach and has nurses, case workers, and specialists for disability case management. Its focus is on helping employees safely return to work.
Medavie Blue Cross Group Critical Illness Insurance
Medavie Blue Cross covers over 25 critical conditions under their critical illness plans. The main categories include:
- Cancer
- Heart conditions – attack, bypass surgery etc.
- Strokes
- Major organ failure – kidney, lungs, etc.
- Neurological conditions – MS, Parkinson’s, dementia
- Loss of sight, hearing or speech
- Paralysis
Benefits are paid out as lump sums and can be used towards treatment, recovery and living costs. Employees have flexibility in how they utilize funds. Critical insurance also incentivizes early screening and lifestyle change.
Medavie Blue Cross Group Travel Insurance
Medavie Blue Cross provides emergency out-of-country medical coverage through Blue Cross Travel. It covers both sudden illnesses and injuries for trips up to 60 days in length. Major coverages and assistance services include:
- Inpatient and outpatient hospitalization
- Medical and surgical treatment
- Emergency transportation
- Private nursing and ambulance
- Prescription drugs
- Accidental dental care
- Medical equipment – crutches, splints, canes
- Return of deceased remains
- Worldwide travel assistance for emergencies
This travel medical insurance integrates well with provincial plans and can supplement gaps in out-of-country coverage. It delivers essential financial protection and responsive service for employees while travelling.
Other Offerings
In addition to traditional group benefits, Medavie Blue Cross offers a range of other programs and services:
- Retiree health benefits
- Health spending accounts
- Employee assistance and wellness programs
- Tuition scholarship programs
- Personal accident insurance
- Business travel accident solutions
- Credit protection plans
The core advantages are the flexibility and range of offerings Medavie Blue Cross provides. They can customize company programs based on specific worker profiles, risks and occupations. Their benefits specialists and consultants work with employers to design optimal plans.
Plan Administration and Technology
Medavie Blue Cross offers extensive capabilities for efficient benefits administration and data analytics. Their platforms aim to reduce hassles for HR teams while also empowering employees. Main features include:
For Employers
- Plan Member Portal: Centralized access to forms, claim status, contact info, card info, etc.
- Plan Sponsor Portal: Tools for eligibility, invoicing, billing, reporting and plan management.
- GroupNet: Customized intranet communications site for health promotions, announcements, etc.
- Advisory Services: Data analysis for cost management, utilization, demographics, etc.
- Connected Health Solutions: Integration with wellness platforms, EAP apps and wearables.
- Medeo Virtual Care: Support for virtual physician and mental health services.
For Employees
- Mobile App – Enables claims submission, card access, prescription refills and live chat.
- Provider eClaims – Fast direct digital claims processing from practitioners.
- Online Benefits Catalogue – Voluntary add-onaddon benefits for purchase are based on health profile.
- Member Centre – Ability to access coverage info, set notification alerts, and check claims status.
- Health Portal – Tools for health risk assessments, lifestyle habits tracking and education.
Medavie Blue Cross has live IT support and highly emphasizes system reliability and security. Over $50 million is invested annually in new technology and digital health capabilities. Employees give positive feedback on the convenience and utility of portal tools.
Medavie Blue Cross Costs and Pricing
Medavie Blue Cross offers many tools and capabilities to optimize benefits spending:
- Claims audits and cost driver analysis identifying savings opportunities.
- Generic drug policies – most of scripts are filled with generics.
- Member pays portion for premiums – share accountability and control.
- Copay increases for expensive medications and treatment.
- Improved chronic disease prevention and management.
- Integration with public and government programs to reduce redundancies.
- Packaged pricing – risk charges plus fixed administration fees.
- ASO arrangements – pay claims but avoid premium taxes. Allow control over surpluses.
- Ancillary carriers for things like travel and tuition programs.
- Stop-loss protection is available for self-insured funds.
For jumbo groups with higher enrollment, national insurers may offer slightly lower rates due to greater scale and risk pooling. However, they often lack localized service capabilities.
Pros and Cons of Medavie Blue Cross Employee Benefits
Pros of Medavie Blue Cross Employee Benefits
There are numerous advantages to partnering with Medavie Blue Cross for group benefits:
National Scale and Stability as a Provider
- Over 75 years of group benefits experience.
- In 2022, giving a total $4.7 million and supported over 100 community-based organizations and initiatives across Canada.
- A+ credit rating – highest in the sector for paying out future claims.
Source: https://www.medaviebc.ca/en/insights/posts/2022-in-review
Wide Selection of Offerings and Customization
- Comprehensive portfolio – health, drugs, dental, life, disability, travel etc.
- Any combination of benefits can be packaged.
- Addons like health spending accounts and critical illness insurance.
- Optional levels, deductibles and coverages can be tailored by group.
Focus on Virtual Health and Digital Enablement
- Big budget annual technology investment.
- Tools for telemedicine, mental health apps, and wearables integration.
- Capability to implement AI for benefits optimization.
- Platform flexibility – upgrades every 1-2 years.
Workforce Health and Productivity Programs
- Total outsourced disability and claims management.
- EAP, chronic disease counselling, PTSD support.
- Biometric screenings, ergonomic assessments.
- Fluent in the latest treatment options like virtual rehab.
Local Account Management and HR Advisory
- Teams in every significant region – a single point of contact.
- Aid with cost analysis, utilization, demographics, and strategy.
- Provide active support for renewals, contract changes, and reviews.
- Workflow integration between HRMS, payroll, and carriers.
Positive Member Experience and Engagement
- Digital convenience – mobile access, self-service options.
- Proactive new member onboarding and education.
- Rewards programs for seeking quality care.
Competitive Pricing and Rate Stability
- The lower trend of premium increases vs. national peers.
- Custom pooling arrangements to optimize risk costs.
- Rebates for low claims experience.
Cons and Potential Improvements
A few potential gaps or development areas include:
- Provider networks outside Quebec are smaller than some competitors. However, they are growing partnerships aggressively to expand their reach.
- The new app and portals still have sporadic technical glitches despite rigorous testing. But platform stability is continually improving.
- Educational content for employees could be more customized based on demographics and risks. But personalization capabilities are roadmapped.
- Basic low-cost plan designs are limited to smaller employers. But pilots with stripped-down offerings are in progress.
- Data analytics lags niche startups. However, investments in AI and predictive modelling are underway.
- Communications are sometimes corporate sounding rather than personalized. But journey mapping initiatives aim to drive empathy.
- Some employers are unclear on the full capabilities beyond insurance, but integrated offerings are now being packaged and marketed better.
- Handoffs between different business units and service channels could improve. However, integration projects are working cross-functionally.
Final Recommendation
Based on the benefits landscape, employer priorities and Medavie Blue Cross’ competitive positioning, the following recommendations apply:
- For companies with big amount of employees, especially spanning multiple provinces, Medavie Blue Cross should be strongly considered. Their national expertise, service infrastructure, flexibility in plan design, and focus on health management make them an ideal strategic partner for large, complex organizations.
- Mid-sizes employers looking for a balance of robust benefits and high-touch servicing are also an excellent fit for Medavie Blue Cross. They provide capabilities similar to national insurers but with better regional account management and lower costs.
- Manufacturing, oil and gas, healthcare, public sector and unionized environments that prioritize benefits richness are well-suited to Medavie Blue Cross. They have proven solutions tailored to regulation-heavy sectors.
- Younger workforces demanding vital virtual care, tech interfaces and mental health coverage will see value in partnering with Medavie Blue Cross as they rapidly expand digital offerings.
- However, basic manufacturing, retail or hospitality businesses needing simple, inexpensive benefits may find better value with smaller niche regional insurers. Medavie Blue Cross is more aligned with comprehensive benefits.
Medavie Blue Cross is evolving its benefits delivery model as healthcare complexity and costs continue rising. Their deep expertise, provider partnerships, technology investments, and customer focus make them a stable choice for many Canadian organizations looking to enhance their benefits strategy.
Conclusion
Finding the right employee benefits provider is an important decision for any business in Canada. With a range of options to choose from, it’s helpful to understand the landscape of top providers across the country. Some of the leading employee benefits providers in Canada include:
- Assumption Life Employee Benefits in Canada
- Pacific Blue Cross Employee Benefits
- Equitable Life of Canada Employee Benefits
- Beneva Employee Benefits
- IA Financial Group Employee Benefits
After a thorough evaluation across criteria like offerings, administration, reputation and pricing, Medavie Blue Cross delivers a competitive employee benefits proposition for companies ranging from midsize to national enterprises.
Medavie Blue Cross may not be best for basic benefits, but it adds value for complex needs. It combines digital convenience with human care. This blend of data and heart stands out.
Healthcare in Canada is changing. Medavie Blue Cross can help employers adapt benefits. Their investments in virtual care and analytics fit as personalized wellness grows.
Medavie Blue Cross could unite the fragmented benefits market and be the top national partner. An integrated experience. Employers with these goals can benefit from exploring Medavie’s capabilities.
Article Sources
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We go to great lengths to research Canada’s major benefits providers thoroughly and objectively. This allows us to offer recommendations matched to individuals’ unique budgets and needs. Ebsource upholds high standards of independence and transparency in everything we publish. We pride ourselves on producing reliable counsel by citing reputable sources and adhering to strict editorial policies. As Canada’s definitive source for employee benefits news and HR knowledge, our mission is to empower Canadians by equipping them with the information necessary to make the best benefits choices.
About Medavie Blue Cross – nsispinsurance.ca
Medavie Blue Cross introduces new group plan option for small businesses – insurancebusinessmag.com
Our Group Benefit Solutions – medaviebc.ca