The ASEBP office is open for scheduled meetings! Use our Online Booking tool to schedule an in-person meeting between 9:15 a.m. - 3 p.m, or a video/phone call meeting between 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Please note that the office is closed from 12:15-12:45 p.m. for lunch.

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ASEBP is hosting an online MyRetiree Plan Presentation and Q&A session on March 14, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. (MST)

Register today! 

Benefit Changes Are on the Horizon

  • Using Your Benefits
  • Retirement
Nov. 24, 2022

Updated for Clarity: December 13, 2022

ASEBP regularly reviews its benefits offerings to provide covered members with a plan that suits their needs, aligns with the ever-evolving health sector landscape, and is financially sound. The following benefit changes, which take effect January 1, 2023, will enhance the programs, services and benefits we provide, and better meet the needs of covered members and their families. 

OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES

Psychologists and Counsellors: ASEBP continues to focus on supporting the mental health of its covered members with the following changes: 

  1. Inclusion of counsellors – Claim counselling services (for eligible providers) to a maximum of $120 per session.  
  2. Assessment fees – Psychology and counselling assessment fees will be covered to a maximum of $300 per assessment. To be eligible for reimbursement, assessment fees must be noted separately if included on your counselling or psychology session receipts. 
  3. Psychology services – will be covered on a per-visit basis (rather than per hour) up to $180 per session.  

The per person per calendar year maximum of $1,200 is a combined total for all psychologist, counsellor, and assessment claims.  

Air purifiers: To align with industry practice, air purifiers will not be an eligible expense; however, this equipment remains an eligible expense under a covered member’s health spending account.  

Splints: Splints will become an eligible expense within the Canes, Casts, Cervical Collars, Crutches, Walkers, and Splints benefits, to a maximum of $40 per splint. The combined annual maximum of $100 is maintained. 

DRUGS 

ASEBP is making some changes to its drug management programs. 

  1. Generic and Brand Name Prescription Drug List - ASEBP will now be using Alberta Blue Cross' (ABC's) list of generic and brand-name prescription drugs that will be covered by our Extended Health Care (EHC) plans. This change will provide more flexibility and streamlining of services for covered members, their dependants, and health care providers when it comes to handling requests for special authorization drugs. With this new process, ABC will manage the drugs that will be included on our drug list and administer all special authorization requests. Members can find drug special authorization decisions under Documents on My ASEBP. Please note that ASEBP will no longer mail decisions to members. More information on how to submit drug special authorization requests is available on our website.
  2. Enhanced Special Authorization (ESA) - ASEBP will begin using ABC's drug special authorization program for all requests. ASEBP will grandfather active ESA authorizations through future renewal cycles with ABC. This transition will allow for people who may be starting on biologic drugs to have more choice. 
  3. Generic Alternative Pricing - ASEBP is changing from Least Cost Alternative (LCA) pricing to generic pricing for all brand-name drugs on ASEBP's drug benefit list. This change will expand the list of drugs where ASEBP pays up to the generic alternative price.

You can find additional information in our Drug Changes Q&A.

DENTAL 

Dental fees are the amounts your dentist charges for the services they provide. The ASEBP will increase our Dental Benefit List fees to match the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) 2022 fee guide. While you may have 100 per cent coverage for certain dental services, 100 per cent of your dentist's bill may not be covered if they charge more than what is outlined in the ASEBP Dental Benefit List. To avoid surprises, have your dentist submit a predetermination to estimate how much of a certain service or procedure will be covered by your ASEBP Dental Care plan.  

Dental Implants: We have increased the yearly maximum for dental implants to $3,500 payable at 60 per cent for Plan 3 or 50 per cent for Plans 2 and 4. Replacements must be 12 years old from the date of the last placement. Please note that plan maximums remain the same. 

MYRETIREE PLAN: THE PLAN KEEPS GETTING BETTER! 

Increased Dental Care Options – Covered members will have a choice of three Dental Care plans, starting January 1: 

  1. Enhanced Dental Plan Option 1: our original Enhanced Dental Plan, but with a new name. 
  2. Enhanced Dental Plan Option 2: get 80 per cent coverage for basic preventative/restorative treatments up to $1,000 per person per calendar year, and 50 per cent coverage for major/restorative treatments up to $2,500 per person per calendar year.  
  3. Core Dental Plan: no changes. 

Please note: Existing members and those who previously waived dental coverage at the time of enrolment will have until January 31, 2023, to submit a MyRetiree Plan Change Application form to switch dental plans or add dental coverage, if they wish to do so.  

Moving and Eligibility - And in case you missed it, read about the previously announced MyRetiree Plan enhanced eligibility criteria, including keeping your MyRetiree Plan benefits if you move almost anywhere in Canada (excluding Quebec). 

BE IN THE KNOW 

While these changes won’t take effect until the new year, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what they may mean to you and your family. If you have questions, please contact us