These requests will be addressed on a case by case basis. Plans still have access to eligible extended health benefits that may be very important at this time such as:

• Hospital room charges
• Hospital cash for incidental charges if hospitalized
• Professional services of licensed practitioners such as chiropractor, naturopath, psychologist (and others) that may be necessary for them during these times
• In home, private duty nursing for your acute care if you or a dependent are very ill
• Medical services and supplies such as oxygen, medical equipment such as respirators, blood pressure monitors etc.
• Eligible claims for the following providers can be paid for VIRTUAL visits:
  • Naturopath
  • Psychologist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Chiropractor

As BC’s health benefits society, the health and wellbeing of our members is our top priority. As the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to evolve, and we fight the spread of the virus through social and physical distancing – it has changed the way we access health care.

As with all coverage, benefits vary from plan to plan. The details are in your contract and can be found on the Member Profile and with our mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.

Pacific Blue Cross currently supports the following:

As of March 24, 2020, Pacific Blue Cross will allow the following for the period of three months.

• Refunds of Premium are processed without delay for any plan that has not yet come into effect, by calling our call centre at 604-419-2000 or by emailing InHealth@pac.bluecross.ca to have one of our representatives call back to confirm credit card information.
• Plans that include trip cancellation or interruption are not eligible for refunds. If your client has a trip cancellation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, claims forms are available at: https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/pdf-bin/100/10-60-063_TripCancel.pdf
  • Remember to include proof of cancellation and all relevant invoices for your claim
  • Please note, we are processing trip cancellation in date order according to trip dates. If the cancellation is longer than 14 days away, you may experience a delay in processing.  We apologize as we work to process all the claims we have received in this unprecedented time.
• Annual plans are not eligible for premium refunds
• In lieu of posted mail, Early Returns for single trip plans will be accepted by email to InHealth@pac.bluecross.ca. The premium will be calculated from the date we receive the email request. Please be sure to include the certificate number in your request.

• Essential Workers who are permitted to cross the Canada-US border during the COVID-19 border closure are not subject to our travel advisory exclusions. These vital members of our communities can travel comfortably knowing that their policies remain in full force and validity, according to the terms and conditions of the contract, to the maximum limits of their plans.
  • This would include truck drivers, health care workers, airline crew staff, or any other essential worker who is permitted to cross the Canada-US border during Level 4 advisory.
• Coverage will be in force for any annual and single trip plans that are already in force, as well as any new plans purchased.
• COVID-19 related illness will be covered for these workers.

As the COVID-19 situation grows around the world, we feel that we must stand with the Government of Canada in their message to travelling Canadians. It is our duty to ask that our Members return to Canada as soon as they are able to do so.  

We are very concerned that strain on global healthcare systems could cause Canadians who experience any kind of medical incident – even those unrelated to COVID 19 – a considerably reduced level of care, potentially putting them at further risk.  Travel restrictions will make it impossible for family to visit hospitalized Canadians abroad.  Members may not be repatriated to Canada to continue their care at home, as our hospitals, doctors and nurses are reallocated to COVID 19 needs.

As a result and in alignment with our policy language, we will not be providing extensions of coverage, effective immediately.  Canadians who stay at their destination beyond their original travel dates will be no longer be eligible for coverage beyond their original expiry date.

For Canadians who are unable to return because of airspace, border, or health restrictions of their destination countries, we urge them to contact Global Affairs to learn more about their plans to medically protect our Canadians who find themselves stranded abroad.

This restriction on extensions does not apply to Essential Service Workers as we have defined above.

• We are pleased to let you know that we will be able to pay Travel commissions by direct deposit.
• If you wish to have direct deposit initiated, please download this form.
• At this time, this service is only available for travel commissions. Personal Health commissions will continue to be paid by cheque.
• Your commission statement will continue to arrive by postal mail as we transition our processes.