Eligibility

Manitoba Blue Cross has served the needs of retired members for nearly 40 years. As a Prairie Teamsters retired member, you have access to an exclusive benefits package not available to the general public.

To be eligible for the Prairie Teamsters Retiree Health Plan, you must be a retiring member of Teamster Locals 979, 362 or 395 and coming off an existing employer or labour sponsored benefits program. Evidence of insurability is not required if you are coming off your previous program and enrolling in the retiree program within 60 days. This includes spouses and eligible dependent children. Premiums are to be paid monthly by an automated deduction from a registered financial institution. You must enroll according to your true family status.

Plan Coverage Details

Features	Coverage
	HEALTH
Prescription drugs	$2,000/year
Practitioner I services	$450/year
Practitioner II services	$300/year
Hearing aids	$500/5 years
Medical equipment
Other health benefits
	DENTAL
Accidental dental
Preventative dental Restorative dental	$1,000/year combined
	VISION
Vision	$150/2 years
	AMBULANCE/HOSPITAL
Ambulance
Semi-private room
Hostel care
	TRAVEL
Travel within Canada
Travel assistance
Travel outside Canada	30 days
	ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Counselling and support
	VIRTUAL CARE
Virtual care

All information listed here provides an overview of the Prairie Teamsters Retiree Health Plan offered by Manitoba Blue Cross. This is not a contract or a complete listing of benefits.

Health

Prescription drugs

• 80% up to $2,000 per year
• Includes a pay-direct drug card*

*A pay-direct drug card eliminates the need to pay up front on prescriptions.

Practitioner I services

• 80% up to $35 per visit*
• $450 per year combined total

Treatment/service by:

Athletic therapist, chiropractor, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, registered clinical psychologist or social worker with an MSW, RSW

*Registered clinical psychologist/social worker with an MSW, RSW maximum is $50 per visit.

Practitioner II services

• 80% up to $35 per visit*
• $300 per year combined total

Treatment/service by:

Acupuncturist, foot care nurse, homeopath, naturopath, nutritional counsellor, osteopath or registered massage therapist

*Foot care nurse maximum is $25 per visit.

Hearing aids

• 80% up to $500 per five years

Medical equipment

• 80% for breathing equipment (e.g. CPAP), crutches, splints, casts, hospital beds, special equipment, walkers, wheelchairs and wigs

Other health benefits

• 80% for accidental dental, artificial limbs/eyes, assisted care, braces, cervical collars, elastic stockings, compression garments, breast prostheses, surgical bras, cardiac rehabilitation, day surgery assisted care, orthopedic shoes, orthotics and private duty nursing

Dental

Preventative dental

• 80% up to $1,000 per year combined with restorative

Services include:

Standard checkups, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, denture relines and surgery

Restorative dental

• 50% up to $1,000 per year combined with preventative for extensive restorations (e.g. dentures, crowns, inlays, bridges)

Ambulance/Hospital

Ambulance

Plan covers 100% of the following:

• Emergency ambulance within province of residence
• Medical transfer up to $500 per five years
• Treat no transport
• Emergency air ambulance up to $5,000 per trip ($10,000 per person, per year)
• Out of province ambulance($500 per trip)

Hospital

Plan covers 100% of the following:

• Semi-private room or $20 per day in-lieu (up to 30 days)
• Hostel accommodation when medical treatment/diagnostic testing is required in a hospital located outside a 60-kilometre radius of the participant’s home

Travel

Travel coverage

• Within Canada:
  Up to $5 million lifetime
• Outside Canada: Up to $5 million lifetime; 30-day trip
• Includes access to travel assistance

Vision

• $150 every two years towards an eye exam, the purchase or repair of frames and/or lenses, including contact lenses

Assistance program

• 12 counselling sessions per year per certificate through Manitoba Blue Cross’s Assistance Program

Virtual Care

• Virtual access to a wide network of medical professionals 24/7, including condition-specific care, prescription management, private consultation and referrals to specialists or for diagnostic testing.

Plus

• Access to Blue Advantage®, our national discount program, and wellness resources on our wellness platform at wellness.mb.bluecross.ca.

Why Manitoba Blue Cross?

Manitoba Blue Cross has been the Prairie Teamsters plan administrator for over 40 years. The following are a few of the reasons so many plan members choose Manitoba Blue Cross:

• You are our priority. As a not-for-profit, we prioritize you, not the bottom line. Every dollar we make is reinvested back into our products and services, as well as our communities and people.
• Your mental health is important to us. Mental health is an intrinsic part of health and well-being, as much as dental and vision care. That’s why we support you with mental health coverage, including professional counselling.
• You get comprehensive, specialized coverage. With a Manitoba Blue Cross plan, you get the coverage you need, including specialized offerings, such as foot care nurse, athletic therapy coverage, hostel care and treat-no-transport ambulance coverage. We also offer paramedical benefits such as homeopathy, osteopathy and nutritional counselling.
• You’re part of the renowned Blue Cross network. We offer products from the most recognized and trusted name in health coverage in Canada.
• You can access services your way. From our award-winning call centre and walk-in customer service centre to 24/7 access to claim and benefit information online and through our mobile app, you can find information, assistance and resources quickly and easily.
• Your convenience is key. With direct billing, your health care costs can often be paid directly to the service providers, so you are not out of pocket while you wait for reimbursement.
• You can access special discounts. Through Blue Advantage®, you can save on medical, vision and many other products and services offered by participating providers online and in-person across Canada, regardless of whether the item is covered under your benefit plan.

How Do I Enroll?

To take advantage of this retiree coverage, you must apply within 60 days of your official retirement date. If you are currently covered as a dependent under your spouse’s plan, you must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. To enroll, simply complete the enclosed application form and mail or email to:

Mail
Manitoba Blue Cross
Attn: Client Services
PO Box 1046 Stn Main
Winnipeg MB R3C 2X7

Email
MBCgroupbenefits@mb.bluecross.ca

Your new coverage will become effective on the first day of the month following your date of retirement.

Still Have Questions?

Contact us:

In Person
599 Empress Street Winnipeg, Manitoba

By Phone
204.775.0151 (within Winnipeg)
1.888.596.1032 (toll-free)
8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday

Online
mb.bluecross.ca

Further Information

For detailed information or to apply, members can refer to the following link to Manitoba Blue Cross: mb.bluecross.ca