A Healthy Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our Commitment to you

Pacific Blue Cross is committed to promoting and protecting diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) of its employees and members. As BC’s Health Benefits Society, we also understand that DE&I is a journey not a destination.

Internally, Pacific Blue Cross has created multiple DE&I eLearning modules including Intro to Diversity, Beyond Bias, Indigenous Awareness, Gender Awareness, Respect Matters and Diversity in Action. Pacific Blue Cross is a sponsor of the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, are members of the Canadian Centre of Diversity Inclusion and partners with Pride at Work.

Learn about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Foundation for Greater Understanding

This module will help you to better understand our diverse world and appreciate the uniqueness of both ourselves and others around us.

Beyond Bias

This module will help you to better understand how we naturally form perceptions and how can they impact our daily lives.

Gender Awareness

This module will help you to better understand what gender is and the importance of shifting to gender-inclusive language which respects and acknowledges gender identities of all people.

Indigenous Awareness

This module will help you to better understand the history of the Indigenous People in Canada and how it impacts our world today. Created in partnership with First Nations Health Authority.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action

This module is intended to help us on our journey towards creating cultural safety and humility in our work place.

We look at diversity with humble eyes and value any thoughts or concerns you may have with our learning modules. Feedback can be provided to coursefeedback@pac.bluecross.ca

Gender Identity

We recognize gender identifiers exist beyond the binary – such as trans+, gender variant and Two-Spirit. However, existing software requirements allow only for ‘male’ and ‘female’ options. Currently, entering a member’s assigned sex at birth is required for assessment to continue within this current binary system.

That being said, Pacific Blue Cross is committed to recognizing diversity within our current operating environment through preferred pronouns during conversations, gender-neutral written communications, ongoing diversity education for our staff, support for organizations promoting diversity and inclusion and we will continue to support and inform ourselves of ongoing learning about the impact of other gender identifiers on health. We are currently assessing the requirements to bring our systems, products and underwriting processes in line with our culture of support and acceptance for diversity and inclusion, in order to inform our business & resource planning to continue our updates in 2022.

Gender affirmation at Pacific Blue Cross

Pacific Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, so we must balance our resources to serve the complex needs of our very diverse member and employee base. We endeavor to do this as quickly as possible and recognize this means particular enhancements may not be completed as soon as is desired – but rest assured we are focused on our mission to improve health and wellbeing for British Columbians.

Truth & Reconciliation

We are committed to building partnerships with Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia to advance reconciliation through dialogue, understanding and action.

Pacific Blue Cross acknowledges that our operations are located in the province of British Columbia and on the traditional territories of many distinct First Nations with different cultures, languages and unique dialects. Our head office is located on the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the shared traditional territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Tsleil-Waututh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Kwikwetlem First Nations.

At PBC, we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all British Columbians. Through our partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), we are working on addressing inequities and closing the gaps in healthcare services delivery for Indigenous Peoples, especially those who reside in rural or remote areas.

Truth and Reconciliation begins with recognizing the history and legacy of colonization, the Indian Act and the devastating impact of Indian Residential Schools on Indigenous Peoples. For those of us responsible for the delivery of healthcare, we must act to address the inequities Indigenous Peoples face when it comes to accessing services and care.

PBC partnered with FNHA in 2014 to support, facilitate and improve access to services, benefits and care for Indigenous Peoples in BC. In 2019, PBC’s role grew to helping administer health benefits on behalf of its First Nations clients. This partnership allowed PBC and FNHA to co-create a new model to meet the health care needs of Indigenous Peoples in BC and support First Nations leaders to achieve self-governed health services.

PBC is committed to building respectful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples through meaningful consultation and collaboration. As a result, PBC has successfully onboarded 147,000 new Indigenous members from over 200 communities across BC to PBC’s platform which provides them easy access to health services without additional costs. In the initial launch phase, FNHA saw a 24% increase in the number of Indigenous members accessing dental benefits. Over 80% of the claims are submitted electronically by the health care provider or member.

PBC’s dedication to Call to Action 92 and the Declaration of Commitment on Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services lives through our onboarding process and ongoing training programs. They provide cultural appropriate training for our employees on the history of Indigenous Peoples and advance the cultural humility and cultural safety development within health services.

Pacific Blue Cross is committed to building partnerships with Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia to advance reconciliation through dialogue, understanding and action.

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