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What is Extended Health Care coverage?
Extended health is essential for covering the cost of medical services, medications and treatments NOT covered by your provincial health care plan. This includes coverage for dental, registered counselling, psychology, massage, physiotherapy, prescription drugs, vision and more.
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Why is it important for me to have Extended Health Care coverage?
Extended health care provides access to a comprehensive range of medical services not covered by your provincial health plan or employee benefits for improved wellbeing and financial security.
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When should I buy Extended Health and Dental coverage?
The ideal time to buy extended health care coverage is when you and/or your family are healthy. Since most extended health care plans exclude coverage for medical conditions you may already have, you need to obtain coverage prior to the occurrence of any future unforeseen accident or sickness.
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Who is eligible for this coverage?
Our Individual Plans are available to all residents of British Columbia and the Yukon provided the resident is enrolled under the Medical Services Plan of BC, or the Health Care Insurance Plan of the Yukon. Coverage will be available for applicants who are awaiting provincial coverage to begin.
Policyholders must be at least 19 years of age. For people under age 19 who want to apply for coverage under one of our plans, an adult must be designated as the policyholder.
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Where and how can I find more information on extended health coverage?
Pacific Blue Cross has available coverage for health, dental and emergency medical travel. Contact Pacific Blue Cross for more information or to speak with one of our Service Representatives:
Individual Plans Sales and Support
Telephone: 604 419 2000
Fax: 604 419 2199
Email: inhealth@pac.bluecross.ca
Toll-free Outside the Greater Vancouver Area:
1 800 USE BLUE (1 800 873 2583)
Mailing Address:
Pacific Blue Cross
Individual Plans
PO Box 7000
Vancouver, BC V6B 4E1
Personal Health Insurance
Between jobs, self-employed, or losing group coverage? Get protection from costs not covered by your government health plan with coverage from BC's #1 health benefits provider.
Why British Columbians choose our Personal Health Insurance
BC's # 1 health benefits provider
With over 80 years of local expertise, we are BC’s healthcare experts. It’s why 1 in 3 British Columbians are Pacific Blue Cross members.
Comprehensive coverage
Design your flexible plan with comprehensive coverage for dental, massage, physio, vision, prescription drugs and more.
Mental wellness
Enhanced coverage specifically for registered counsellors and psychologists on our Health and Dental, Guaranteed Acceptance, and Retirement Plan.
Fast, easy claims
File claims without the paperwork —anytime, anywhere— online or through our free mobile app, and get reimbursed in as little as 24 hours.
Enhanced coverage for women
We’re working hard to bridge gaps in women’s health care through intentional plan design, with support from BC Women’s Health Foundation and Women’s Health Research Institute.
Local impact
As BC's only not-for-profit health benefits provider, we support over 300 organizations improving health and wellbeing in our province each year.
Explore our flexible Personal Health Insurance plans
Health and Dental
Our most popular and comprehensive plan for individuals in good health.
Plan features:
- The most coverage for practitioners, prescription drugs and vision on a personal health plan
- Fertility treatment and adoption coverage options
Guaranteed Acceptance
Streamlined coverage over our Health and Dental plan. Existing health conditions are always covered.
Plan features:
- No medical questions or exclusions
- No waiting period on most benefits
Dental Only
When all you need is dental insurance. Available on its own or add it to your employer-sponsored group plan.
Plan features:
- Coverage for routine dental exams, cleanings, fillings and more
- Optional coverage for major dental work and endodontics when added to a group plan
Group Conversion
Left an employer-sponsored group plan within the past 60 days? Enjoy continuous coverage like you never left-- even on existing health conditions.
Plan features:
- No medical questions or exclusions
- Increasing coverage over time
Retirement
Retired within the past 60 days? Enjoy continuous coverage like you never left-- even on existing health conditions.
Plan features:
- The most flexibility and choice for retirees
- No medical questions or exclusions
Trusted by 1.8M+ British Columbians
Want to know more?
Looking for other types of coverage?
Emergency Medical Insurance
Comprehensive, flexible emergency medical care coverage for British Columbians while travelling outside of BC.
Trip Protection Insurance
Peace of mind coverage for travel costs related to unexpected cancellations, interruptions and delays
Critical Illness Insurance
Financial support, should a critical illness strike, so you can focus on making a healthy recovery
Life Insurance
Ensure the financial health of your loved ones from one of the most respected Life Insurance brands in Canada
How to claim online
Online claiming is the fastest and easiest way to make a claim because you will be able to see right away if your claim has been approved and payment will usually be deposited into your bank account within 48 hours. No more mailing claim forms and waiting for the cheque in the mail.
Sign-in to Member Profile to claim online
Personal Health Insurance - Health & Dental
Our plan consists of a core health plan with prescription drug and dental coverage options so you can choose the coverage you need.
Core Health Plan
Treat-No-Transport are charges for treatment when an ambulance is called to the scene of an accident or place of illness and transportation to hospital is not required.
Prescription Drug Options
The Enhanced drug option covers 80% of the cost of PharmaCare-eligible prescription drugs, plus prescriptions that are not eligible under the government PharmaCare plan. Drugs used for birth control are eligible under this option only. This is an increasing benefit coverage option up to a predetermined maximum.
The Enhanced drug option can include a Direct Pay Drug card provided no pre-existing medical conditions exist at the time of application. With a Direct Pay Drug card, your pharmacist submits your claim electronically. PBC pays the pharmacy 80% of your prescription cost, and you pay the pharmacist the remaining 20%. There is no need to submit a paper claim.
Dental Options
The Essential dental plan covers eligible expenses after a three-month no-claims waiting period, up to a predetermined maximum. Eligible expenses include:
- Diagnostic expenses (oral examinations, x-rays)
- Preventive treatments (polishing, fluoride treatments)
- Restorative treatments (fillings)
- Periodontal cleaning (scaling and root planing)
- Prosthodontic services (repairs & minor services only)
- Oral surgery (routine extractions)
In addition, the plan covers emergency treatment of the above services while temporarily outside of BC or the Yukon. There is no financial limit on the amount that will be paid for the services covered over the lifetime of the plan.
The Enhanced dental plan covers all of the Essential dental benefits with the addition of major restorative services, up to a combined predetermined maximum.
The plan covers 50% of eligible expenses incurred after 12 consecutive months on the plan. The maximum amount payable for major restorative, orthodontic and denture services is limited to $500 for each covered person per year.
Additional eligible expenses include:
- Major Restorative services (crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays)
- Endodontics (root canals)
- Orthodontic coverage.(children only, benefit begins after 24 months)
- Complete or partial dentures
Personal Health Insurance - Dental Only
You don't need a company health plan to get a great smile. Get coverage for exams, cleanings, fillings and more.
Stand-Alone Dental
Plan Highlights
Eligible dental expenses include all necessary services by a dentist or denturist for the care and maintenance of teeth including:
- Diagnostic: two recall examinations (check ups) every calendar year
- X-rays: the equivalent of one full-mouth series each calendar year (complete series x-rays are limited to once every three years)
- Preventive therapy: topical fluoride applications are limited to twice every calendar year
- Restorative dentistry: all procedures to restore natural teeth to normal function using silver and tooth-coloured fillings, and stainless steel crowns
- Scaling and root planing
- Prosthetic repair services to reline or repair fixed or removable appliances
- Routine extractions
Group Dental Add-On
If the health plan available through your employer doesn't include dental coverage, Pacific Blue Cross offers an add-on that individuals can purchase to supplement existing Blue Cross group health care plan. The add-on is available in Essential and Enhanced options:
Essential Dental Option
- Diagnostic expenses
- Preventive treatments
- Restorative treatments
- Periodontal cleaning
- Prosthodontic services
- Oral surgery
Enhanced Dental Option
Covers all of the Essential Dental Benefits with the addition of endodontics and major restorative services.
Personal Health Insurance - Group Conversion
Our plan consists of a core health plan with prescription drug and dental coverage options so you can choose the coverage you need.
Core Health Plan
Treat-No-Transport are charges for treatment when an ambulance is called to the scene of an accident or place of illness and transportation to hospital is not required.
Prescription Drug Options
The Enhanced drug option covers 80% of the cost of PharmaCare-eligible prescription drugs, plus prescriptions that are not eligible under the government PharmaCare plan. Drugs used for birth control are eligible under this option only. This is an increasing benefit coverage option up to a predetermined maximum.
The Enhanced drug option can include a Direct Pay Drug card provided no pre-existing medical conditions exist at the time of application. With a Direct Pay Drug card, your pharmacist submits your claim electronically. PBC pays the pharmacy 80% of your prescription cost, and you pay the pharmacist the remaining 20%. There is no need to submit a paper claim.
Dental Options
The Essential dental plan covers eligible expenses after a three-month no-claims waiting period, up to a predetermined maximum. Eligible expenses include:
- Diagnostic expenses (oral examinations, x-rays)
- Preventive treatments (polishing, fluoride treatments)
- Restorative treatments (fillings)
- Periodontal cleaning (scaling and root planing)
- Prosthodontic services (repairs & minor services only)
- Oral surgery (routine extractions)
In addition, the plan covers emergency treatment of the above services while temporarily outside of BC or the Yukon. There is no financial limit on the amount that will be paid for the services covered over the lifetime of the plan.
The Enhanced dental plan covers all of the Essential dental benefits with the addition of major restorative services, up to a combined predetermined maximum.
The plan covers 50% of eligible expenses incurred after 12 consecutive months on the plan. The maximum amount payable for major restorative, orthodontic and denture services is limited to $500 for each covered person per year.
Additional eligible expenses include:
- Major Restorative services (crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays)
- Endodontics (root canals)
- Orthodontic coverage.(children only, benefit begins after 24 months)
- Complete or partial dentures
Personal Health Insurance - Guaranteed Acceptance
With four tiers of coverage to choose from, Guaranteed Acceptance offers some of the most flexible plan design available, so you can tailor the plan to suit your health needs—at a price that fits your budget. And no medical questionnaire is required.
Core Health Plan
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ESSENTIAL | BRONZE | SILVER* | GOLD* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Maximum | $250,000 | $250,000 | $375,000 | $500,000 |
| Prescription Drugs | 80% PPN, 70% Non-PPN, $350 Limit Blue Rx, LCA, 8% Markup Limit, $5 Dispensing Fee Birth Control and vaccinations incl | 80% PPN, 70% Non-PPN, $350 Limit Blue Rx, LCA, 8% Markup Limit, $5 Dispensing Fee Birth Control and vaccinations incl | 80% PPN, 70% Non-PPN, $500 Limit Blue Rx, LCA, 8% Markup Limit, $5 Dispensing Fee Birth Control and vaccinations incl | 80% PPN, 70% Non-PPN, $750 Limit Blue Rx, LCA, 8% Markup Limit, $5 Dispensing Fee Birth Control and vaccinations incl |
| Physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiroproactors, chiropodist/podiatrists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, osteopaths, speech therapists | $500 combined limit, $30/visit |
$400 per practitioner, $30/visit |
$500 per practitioner, $30/visit |
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| Mental wellness 1 | $250 | $500 | $500 | $750 |
| Medical equipment, Home care, & Nursing | Year 1-2: $1,200 Year 3-4: $2,500 Year 5+: $5,000 (separate maximums for private duty nursing) |
Year 1-2: $1,200 Year 3-4: $2,500 Year 5+: $5,000 (separate maximums for private duty nursing) |
Year 1-2: $1,200 Year 3-4: $2,500 Year 5+: $5,000 (separate maximums for private duty nursing) |
Year 1-2: $1,200 Year 3-4: $2,500 Year 5+: $5,000 (separate maximums for private duty nursing) |
| Hospital accommodation | Private: $195/day, Semi: $165/day Max 60 days |
Private: $195/day, Semi: $165/day Max 60 days |
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| Local Ambulance | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Hearing Aids | Years 1-4: $300 / every 4 years Years 5+: $400 / every 4 years 3-month wait period |
Years 1-4: $300 / every 4 years Years 5+: $400 / every 4 years 3-month wait period |
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| Vision Care | $150 / every 2 years $50 Eye Exam |
Years 1-2: $150 / every 2 years Years 3+: $250 / every 2 years $50 Eye Exam |
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| Travel | Covers 100% of out-of-province within Canada medical emergency care | |||
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Principal sum up to $25,000 (under the age of 70) | |||
| Health & Wellness / Other benefits | Virtual Care®, Health Connected®, New Parent Boost, Second Medical Opinion | |||
| * A dental option must be chosen with either Silver or Gold Health Options 1 Mental wellness services include psychologists, registered counsellors, and online CBT |
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Step 1: Health Dental Coverage
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BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
Dental - Basic |
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| Year 1 | 70% / $300 | 70% / $300 | 80% / $450* |
| Year 2 | 70% / $300 | 80% / $400 | 80% / $575* |
| Year 3+ | 70% / $300 | 80% / $500 | 80% / $700* |
Dental - Major |
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| Year 1 | 50% / $450* | ||
| Year 2 | 50% / $575* | ||
| Year 3+ | 50% / $700* | ||
| * combined Basic and Major yearly limit | |||
Step 2: DentalPersonal Health Insurance - Retirement
Step 1: Health
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BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paramedicals |
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| Physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiroproactors, chiropodist/podiatrists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, osteopaths | $25/visit, 12 visits/yr | $400 combined | $600 combined | ||
| Speech therapists | $45/visit, 10 visits/yr | $45/visit, 10 visits/yr | $45/visit, 10 visits/yr | ||
| Mental wellness 1 | $65/visit, 10 visits/yr | $65/visit, 10 visits/yr | $65/visit, 10 visits/yr | ||
Vision |
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| Prescription eyewear | $150 | $250 | $300 | ||
| Eye exam | $50 | $50 | $80 | ||
Medical equipment |
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| Year 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $2,500 | ||
| Year 2+ | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 | ||
| Hearing aid | $300/5 yrs | $400/5 yrs | $600/5 yrs | ||
Hospital accommodation |
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| Hospitalization | $125 | $200 | $250 | ||
| Day limit | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | ||
| 1 Mental wellness services include psychologists, registered counsellors, and online CBT. Eligible expenses related to online CBT are not subject to any per visit maximum. | |||||
Step 2: Prescriptions
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BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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BRONZE | BRONZE OR | SILVER | SILVER OR | GOLD |
| Dispensing Fee | — | — | $10* | $10* | $10* |
| Year 1 | $500 | $500 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Year 2 | $500 | $500 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| Year 3+ | $500 | $500 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 |
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*Maximum follows BC PharmaCare
|
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Step 2: Prescriptions Step 3: Dental
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BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Services |
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| Basic | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||
| Endodontics | — | 80% | 80% | ||
| Major | — | — | 60% after Year 1 | ||
Limits |
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| Year 1 | $500 | $600 | $1,000 | ||
| Year 2 | $500 | $800 | $1,250 | ||
| Year 3+ | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 | ||
Usage |
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| Recall Package** | Every 9 months | Every 9 months | Twice per year | ||
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** Includes exam, polishing and flouride
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Speak to someone to learn more about one of our PERSONAL HEALTH insurance products
Contact us about your existing Pacific Blue Cross coverage or products
Personal Health Insurance - Health and Dental
Design your plan in two easy steps
Build a plan that fits your health needs. Enjoy the flexibility to upgrade your level of health or dental coverage-- no medical review required-- upon your plan anniversary. Enjoy the flexibility to downgrade every two years.
Step 1 — Select your health coverage
Select coverage will vary based on the plan level selected.
 HEALTH |
BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime maximum | $375,000 | $500,000 | Unlimited |
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS |
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| Coverage | Payable up to 80%1 | Payable up to 90%1 | Payable up to 90%1 |
| Dispensing fee | $5 | $10 | $10 |
| Yearly limit | $5,000 | $10,000 | Unlimited |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES |
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| Practitioner services2 | $400 per practitioner/yr, $30/visit | $600 per practitioner/yr, $40/visit | $800 per practitioner/yr, $50/visit |
| Mental wellness services3 | $750 combined limit/yr | $750 combined limit/yr | $1,500 combined limit/yr |
VISION / 6 month waiting period / Eligible every 2 years |
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| Prescription eyewear | $250 | $300 | $400 |
| Eye exam | $60 | $80 | $80 |
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT and SUPPLIES / $5,000 per year |
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| Hearing aids | $300/4 years/ 3 month waiting period |
$400/4 years/ 3 month waiting period |
$600/4 years/ 3 month waiting period |
FAMILY PLANNING BENEFIT / 1 year waiting period |
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| Fertility drugs | $5,000/yr/family5 | ||
| Fertility treatment and adoption4 | $5,000/yr/family5 | ||
| 1 Maximum coverage limits apply at Preferred Pharmacy Network (PPN) providers only. Lower coverage limits apply at non-PPN providers. Find a PPN provider near you. 2 Practitioner services include physiotherapists, massage practitioners, chiropractors, naturopaths, chiropodists, podiatrists, osteopaths, speech pathologists, registered dieticians, and acupuncturists. 3 Mental wellness services include psychologists, registered counsellors, and online CBT. 4 Fertility treatment includes in-vitro fertilization, egg freezing, intrauterine insemination, and sperm freezing. Adoption includes agency and legal fees. 5 If per your agreement infertility is deemed to be a pre-existing condition then this benefit will reduce to a combined lifetime maximum of $2,000 for fertility drugs, fertility treatment and adoption. | |||
Step 2 — Select your dental coverage
Select coverage will vary based on the plan level selected.
 DENTAL |
BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
BASIC and ROUTINE SERVICES |
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| Waiting period | 3 months | 3 months | No waiting period |
| Recall frequency5 | 9 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| Year 1 | 70%, $500 | 70%, $800 | 80%, $1,0006 |
| Year 2 | 80%, $700 | 80%, $1,1006 | 90%, $1,3006 |
| Year 3+ | 80%, $900 | 80%, $1,4006 | 90%, $1,6006 |
MAJOR SERVICES, DENTURES, and ORTHODONTICS |
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| Waiting period | 12 months | 6 months | |
| Year 1 | 60% Major only6 | ||
| Year 2 | 50% Major only6 | 60% incl. Dentures, Orthodontics6,7 | |
| Year 3+ | 50% incl. Dentures, Child orthodontics6,7 | 60% incl. Dentures, Orthodontics6,7 | |
| 5 The min. frequency required between select preventative and diagnostic services (e.g., exams, polishing, fluoride). 6 Combined annual maximum for all dental services. 7 $2,000 orthodontic lifetime maximum/person. Gold orthodontic coverage is for children and adults. | |||