See the Benefits Enhancements page for an outline of the changes.

All members of the Healthcare and Dental Plans. The Retiree Healthcare Plan is not changing.

No, the enhancements only apply to you if you are already enrolled in the Healthcare Plan.

No, the enhancements only apply to you if you are already enrolled in the Dental Plan.

Your premiums will change in April and your new coverage will come into effect May 1.

The Healthcare Employees’ Benefit Plan (HEBP) Board of Trustees routinely reviews the coverage of each Plan and has approved changes to the Healthcare and Dental Plans to better align with industry standards and meet member expectations.

The goal of the enhancements is to deliver greater value and benefits to members and their families.

In the Report to Members released this past summer, we shared our intention to implement the improvements to the Plans in 2026. The Healthcare Employees’ Benefit Plan (HEBP) Board of Trustees has now finalized and approved the changes to the Plans and set an effective date of May 1, 2026. 

The Healthcare Employees’ Benefit Plan (HEBP) Board of Trustees. The Board is made up of an equal number of employer and union representatives who act on behalf of HEB Manitoba’s membership.

Changes were based on several considerations about what would provide the best overall value to members and their families.

For the Healthcare Plan, an increase to the prescription drug cost maximum, increased vision coverage, and greater flexibility for paramedical practitioners were the coverage enhancements identified.

For the Dental Plan, the enhancement is an increased maximum for eligible covered expenses.

Your prescription drug plan also now has Pharmacare tracking. This means that your drug coverage is integrated with the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, a drug benefit program for Manitobans. Register now with Manitoba Pharmacare to ensure there are no delays on future drug claims. You can find more information, including how to register, by visiting your mybluecross online account on the Manitoba Blue Cross website.

There are no added services – the enhancements improve the coverage for existing services.

Contact Manitoba Blue Cross for specific questions about drug coverage.

No.

Contact Manitoba Blue Cross to find out if a specific drug is covered.

The only exception is for prescription drug coverage: Depending on your prescription drug use, you may need to apply to the Manitoba Pharmacare Program. You can find more information, including how to register, by visiting your mybluecross online account on the Manitoba Blue Cross website.

Your premiums will automatically change in April and your new coverage will automatically come into effect May 1. You don’t have to re-enrol in the Plans.

Depending on your prescription drug use, you may need to apply to the Manitoba Pharmacare Program. You can find more information, including how to register, by visiting your mybluecross online account on the Manitoba Blue Cross website.

The only changes to the Healthcare Plan are those listed in the enhancements.

The only changes to the Dental Plan are those listed in the enhancements.

There are no changes to the EAP Plan.

There are no changes to the Life Insurance Plan.

There are no changes to the D&R Plan.

There are no changes to the Retiree Healthcare Plan.

Your HSA benefit amount is not affected by the changes.

You can only opt in if you have lost your alternate coverage in the past 60 calendar days. If you lost your coverage before that, you will have a one-year waiting period for coverage from the date you request to opt in. You can declare the loss of your alternate coverage by reporting it on our member portal.

No. You can only waive participation in the Plans if you gained alternate coverage in the past 60 calendar days. If you gained your coverage before that, you will not be able to opt out but will be able to continue to coordinate your benefits.

The change to coverage for services provided by paramedical practitioners is designed to provide more flexibility than before, so that members can use the most effective treatments for their situation. We recognize that this may not impact every member the same way, but it reflects current Plan usage and enhances the overall value of the Plan.

See the Benefits Enhancements page for an outline of the new premiums. 

Yes.

Premiums for the Plans are deducted the month before the coverage effective date. This has not changed.

This depends on your employer’s normal deduction schedule in their payroll cycle.

Premiums for the Plans are deducted the month before the coverage effective date. This has not changed.

A premium increase is required to support the enhanced coverage that members will receive. The new premiums continue to be split equally between members and employers.

Yes. All members of the Healthcare and Dental Plans will pay the new premiums. The Retiree Healthcare Plan is not changing.

No. As these are group Plans, all members receive the same coverage and pay the same premiums.

No. Once the new premiums and coverage take effect, the old coverage and premiums will no longer apply.

If you chose to maintain your Healthcare or Dental Plan coverage during your leave, you will pay the increased premiums beginning in May.

If you chose to suspend your coverage during your leave, you will pay the increased premiums when you return to work and your coverage is reinstated.

Yes. 

The lump sum payment you made will be used to pay for the increased premiums as of May 1. Once the funds from your lump sum payment run out, we will deduct premiums for any remaining time on your leave from the bank account you provided. Premiums will be deducted monthly.

Timing depends on when the funds from your lump sum payment run out and how much time is remaining on your leave.

Please contact Manitoba Blue Cross about your claims and coverage. Your account on the Manitoba Blue Cross portal will be updated on May 1.

HEB Manitoba is unable to provide advice about how to use your coverage.

The changes will only apply to services provided on May 1 or later. If you received the service in April, but submit the claim in June, it will be treated under the coverage in effect in April.

Please contact Manitoba Blue Cross about your claims and coverage. Your account on the Manitoba Blue Cross portal will be updated on May 1.

No, the changes will only apply to services provided on May 1 or later. If you received the service in April, but submit the claim in June, it will be treated under the coverage in effect in April.

No, the changes will only apply to services provided on May 1 or later. If you received the service in April, but submit the claim in June, it will be treated under the coverage in effect in April. Please contact Manitoba Blue Cross for any specifics about your claims and coverage. Your account on the Manitoba Blue Cross portal will be updated on May 1.

No. Claims already paid between January 1 and April 30 will count towards your new maximum.

Please contact Manitoba Blue Cross about your claims and coverage. Your account on the Manitoba Blue Cross portal will be updated on May 1.

Please contact Manitoba Blue Cross about your claims and coverage. Your account on the Manitoba Blue Cross portal will be updated on May 1.