What's Changing

While your life may have changed over the last year, you can take comfort in the fact that, for the most part, the plan isn’t changing for 2023. With the recent change to Canada’s EI program that provides benefits for up to 26 weeks of illness, your employer may have opted to change the Short Term Disability (STD) benefit they offer. The good news is that this change is unlikely to affect the benefit you receive if you’re unable to work due to illness. You'll be able to see your STD option (if eligible) when you re-enrol on the Franchise Benefits Store.

2023 Costs Are Changing

We remain committed to providing you with a benefits plan that balances the coverage you need with costs that are financially sustainable over the long term. You can expect to see market-based changes to the cost of our benefits. The amount you pay is based on the options you choose and who you cover. You’ll see the cost of each benefit when you re-enrol on the Franchise Benefits Store.

You Can Help Keep Your Costs Manageable

While health care costs continue to rise, there are things you can do during the year to help keep your costs down. We encourage you to invest in your health, including:

  • Focus on being and staying healthy. It starts with you. Staying healthy is important to maintaining and improving the quality of life for each of us, and our families.
    • Exercising regularly and making smart food choices help to prevent disease and are essential to living a healthy life.
    • Healthy living may also result in fewer trips to a doctor or paramedical practitioner, as well as less reliance on prescription drugs.
  • Get the most value from your plan. Take responsibility for how you use your benefits to help minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. It’s important to understand your benefits plan, including:
  • Use the tools provided by Medavie Blue Cross. Use the Medavie Blue Cross website or Mobile App for benefits information at your fingertips. You can submit claims instantly, get plan information, search for eligibility of prescription drugs or check coverage, sign up for direct deposit—and more!
  • Try to plan ahead. Prioritize how you use your benefit dollars. Knowing how you’re going to use your benefits may influence the coverage you select in the upcoming year.

Remember: Review Your Benefit Costs at Annual Re-enrolment

To review the personal impact of the new costs, visit the Franchise Benefits Store, your re-enrolment website, between March 20 and April 3 at 8 p.m. ET.