We are located at 599 Empress Street, Winnipeg MB. Our office hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m., closed Mondays. For additional contact information please visit our Contact Us page.

Our mailing address is:

Manitoba Blue Cross

PO Box 1046 Stn Main

Winnipeg, MB R3C 2X7

Visit our Careers page for current openings or to submit your resume for future consideration.

Yes. We have a number of Individual Health and Dental Plans available to meet your needs.

If you are transitioning from another plan with comparable coverage, avoid the three-month waiting period by applying within 60 days of loss of coverage. Coverage will be continuous as long as you pay premiums for the first month of coverage loss.

Find a plan that's right for you.

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Yes. You must be a Manitoba resident, registered with and entitled to benefits from Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors.

If you have benefits through an employer or group, contact your plan administrator to determine effective date of your plan.

If you have purchased benefits through Manitoba Blue Cross or an agent, your benefits will become effective on the first of the month following a three-month waiting period.

• For Basic Bluer, Medi-Bluer and Medi-Bluer Deluxe plans, there is a three-month unpaid waiting period.
• For Plus Planr, Plus Planr Deluxe and GenX plans, there is a three-month paid waiting period.

* If you are transitioning from another plan with comparable coverage, we will waive the waiting period provided you apply within 60 days of loss of coverage.

If you choose family coverage, all family members must be listed on the application in order to receive coverage.

• If you have benefits through an employer or group, contact your plan administrator to determine eligibility based on the rules of your plan.
• If you have purchased benefits through Manitoba Blue Cross or an agent, you may upgrade your plan at any time; however, there may be a three-month wait period. During this time, your existing coverage will remain in effect. If you wish to downgrade your plan, the change will become effective on the first day of the month following the date of notification.

* If you downgrade your plan, there will be a two-year wait period before you are allowed to upgrade your plan.

• If you have benefits through an employer or group, contact your plan administrator to determine cancellation eligibility based on the rules of your plan.
• If you have purchased benefits through Manitoba Blue Cross or an agent, you may request cancellation at any time; however, there will be a two-year wait period before you are allowed to enroll in the same plan (unless you have cancelled as a result of obtaining comparable coverage through an employer, group, or spouse). Your coverage will be cancelled on the last day of the month, following 30 days from date of notification. To cancel your coverage, submit your written request to Manitoba Blue Cross.

• If you have benefits through an employer or group, contact your plan administrator to determine re-enrollment eligibility based on the rules of your plan.
• If you have cancelled a plan through Manitoba Blue Cross or an agent and within the last two years, there will be a two-year wait period before you are allowed to enroll in the same plan or a plan of the same category (unless you have cancelled as a result of obtaining comparable coverage through an employer, group, or spouse).

Unfortunately accidents & illnesses do happen while you are away. The health expenses resulting from those accidents or unexpected illnesses are not fully covered by Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors. The difference between what Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors will pay and the actual cost may be substantial.

Based on the reciprocal billing agreement, Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors will pay the standard rate if you see a doctor or are admitted to an approved hospital in Canada; however, not all expenses are covered. In the event of a unexpected, sudden or unforeseen travel health emergency, a travel health plan will provide coverage for benefits such as ambulance/air ambulance; emergency evacuation from a mountain, body of water, or other remote location; prescription drugs; physiotherapist, chiropractic, or podiatrist services for acute care; emergency dental; vehicle return, return of family, meals and accommodation allowance, transportation of a family member to your bedside, and/or return of deceased.

Yes. You must be a Manitoba resident, registered with and entitled to benefits from Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors to apply for travel health coverage.

Travel health coverage must be purchased prior to departure. Plans that include cancellation coverage (Air, Holiday or Tour Package) must be purchased at time of deposit (within 72 hours) or prior to any cancellation or penalty period.

No, coverage must be purchased for the entire duration of the trip.

Coverage maximums vary by plan.

• For our Deluxe Travel Health plan, the maximum allowable duration is:
  • 183 days (under Age 55 OR Age 55 to 74 with no pre-existing conditions)
  • 62 days (age 55 to 74 with pre-existing conditions OR Age 75 & Over)
• For our Annual Travel Health plan, the maximum allowable duration is 32 days. However, if you are under the age of 55 you may purchase additional days, up to an additional 30 days (total trip duration cannot exceed 62 days).
• For our Student Travel Health plan, the maximum allowable duration is 9 or 12 months. An out of country medical card must be obtained from Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors prior to departing.
• For our Tour Package plan, the maximum allowable duration is 32 days.
• For our Holiday Cancellation and Airfare Cancellation plans, the maximum allowable duration is 183 days.

Yes, however there are many factors that may affect what is covered on a travel health plan. It is important to disclose all medical conditions at the time of purchase so that you can be aware of any exclusions to your plan when travelling. Always discuss any concerns with your travel agent or contact us for further clarification.

A medical questionnaire is an option Manitoba Blue Cross offers. You are not obligated to complete this questionnaire, however doing so may give you a definite advantage. For individuals aged 55 to 74 on date of departure, answering the medical questionnaire determines eligibility for our Gold Deluxe Travel Health Plan. Our Gold Plan does not have a pre-existing condition clause, allows for trips of longer duration and has preferred pricing.

We are unable to insure points of any kind. We are only able to insure out-of-pocket costs which, in the case of a ticket purchased with points, is usually the taxes.

You may extend the duration of your original policy if:

• Medical attention has not been received during the initial term.
• A claim has not been incurred during the initial term.
• You request the extension prior to the expiry date of your policy.
• The extension is for all benefits purchased on the original policy.

If you are hospitalized due to a medical emergency, your benefits will remain in force throughout the period of hospitalization, plus 72 hours following your discharge from hospital at no extra cost.

For more details, view our Extensions information page or contact us.

A copy of your travel ID card is located on the second page of your receipt. Log in to My Policy to reprint your receipt at any time.

Our Annual Travel, Tour Package, Airfare Cancellation, and Holiday Cancellation plans are non-refundable.

For our Deluxe Travel Health plan:

• A complete refund is available if the entire trip is cancelled and Manitoba Blue Cross or an authorized agent receives notification prior to date of departure.
• A partial refund is calculated based on the date Manitoba Blue Cross or an authorized agent receives notification.
• Refunds are based on categories of time as per rate chart.
• No refund is available if a claim was incurred during the term of coverage or if your policy has been extended.

Visit our individual Travel Coverage Plans to learn more about travel health plan refunds or contact us.

A Health Spending Account (HSA) is a tax-free allocation of credits that an employer may offer to employees to provide reimbursement on a wide range of out-of-pocket health expenses. In general, expenses are considered eligible if they qualify as a medical expense tax credit under the Income Tax Act of Canada and have not been 100 per cent reimbursed by another benefit plan. Deductible amounts and co-insurance also qualify.

An HSA is administered in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines and is always last payer (after government, employer, individual, student, and spousal plans).

You may request reimbursement for any CRA-approved medical expense or service by an approved practitioner that has not already been 100 per cent reimbursed by another plan. Deductible and co-insurance amounts also qualify.

To determine if a medical expense is tax deductible, refer to the Canada Revenue Agency. Group plans may have specific exclusions or exceptions.

A plan has one Health Spending Account. All dependents listed under a plan may submit expenses to this account.

If you have an automatic claim payment plan, you do not need to request reimbursement. Manitoba Blue Cross will automatically pay balances remaining from previously submitted health or dental claims with payment of a health or dental claim or when you reach the minimum payment threshold. If you have unpaid balances with another carrier, submit an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from that carrier so we may add these outstanding expenses to your account. Or, if you have unclaimed expenses, be sure to submit your receipts so we may add these expenses to your account.

If you have an on request claim payment plan, you will need to request reimbursement for unpaid balances:

• The easiest time to do this is during initial claim submission to your health or dental plan. When completing your online or paper claim, check Yes where it says "Pay remainder from Health Spending Account."
• To request reimbursement after a claim has been submitted to your health or dental plan, use the HSA Online Request feature within mybluecross®. This web-based application allows you to quickly request reimbursement for outstanding balances previously submitted to your health or dental plan. Alternatively, you may submit a paper HSA claim form.
• If you have unpaid balances with another carrier, please submit an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from that carrier so we may add these outstanding expenses to your account. Or, if you have unclaimed expenses, be sure to submit your receipts so we may add these to your account.

In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, proper receipts must support all amounts claimed as qualifying medical expenses. A receipt should indicate the purpose of the payment, the date of the payment, the patient for whom the payment was made and, if applicable, the medical practitioner, dentist, pharmacist, nurse, or optometrist who prescribed the purchase or gave the service. A cancelled cheque will not be accepted as a substitute for a receipt.

Minimum payment refers to the lowest dollar amount that can be reimbursed at a time. This threshold is set by the employer.

• If the amount requested is less than the minimum payment, payment will be held and expenses will continue to accumulate until this threshold is met.
• If the threshold is never met, Manitoba Blue Cross will pay all pending expenses at the end of the group's claim limitation period following your benefit year.

Visit My Coverage in mybluecross® to view your Health Spending Account (HSA) plan information including minimum payment amount, claim limitation period, and benefit year.

*The minimum payment threshold applies to any outstanding HSA claim that has not been paid. If an HSA balance is requested at time of your initial health or dental claim under the same certificate and claim is payable to you, the minimum payment threshold will be bypassed and the HSA payment will be included with this payment. In addition to this, all pending HSA payments accumulating in the account will attach to this request and be included with the HSA payment.

*Your Health Spending Account (HSA) is considered last payer (after government, spousal, and student plans, etc.). If you have coverage with another carrier, you must submit an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from that carrier before outstanding expenses can be processed through your HSA.

Automatic and requested Health Spending Account (HSA) payments may be released with payment of a health or dental claim or when the minimum payment threshold is met:

• When an HSA balance is requested with a health or dental claim that is payable to the member, HSA payment is included with claim payment (minimum payment threshold is bypassed).
• When an HSA balance is requested on its own, payment is released once the minimum payment threshold is met. The minimum payment threshold is set by your employer. If the amount requested is less than the minimum payment, payment is held and expenses will continue to accumulate until this threshold is met. If the threshold is never met, Manitoba Blue Cross will pay all pending expenses at the end of your group's claim limitation period following your benefit year.

* When a member requests HSA reimbursement alongside a health or dental claim, all pending HSA payments will be released, including pending HSA balances accumulating in the account.

No, Health Spending Account credits cannot be assigned to pay a provider. According to Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, credits can only be used to reimburse expenses which have been paid.

In accordance with The Income Tax Act, unused credits are forfeited. To maximize credit use, members should request reimbursement during the benefit year, ideally at time of expense.

To maximize credit use, it is recommended that members submit Health Spending Account (HSA) claims within the same benefit year, ideally at time of expense. Each HSA plan has a grace period following the benefit year which is referred to as the claim limitation period. This grace period varies by group.

Visit My Coverage in mybluecross® to view your Health Spending Account (HSA) plan information including claim limitation period and benefit year.

* Based on coordination of benefits' guidelines, a member's HSA plan will always pay first, followed by the plan where s/he is covered as a spouse. To maximize credit use, it is important that members request reimbursement within the same benefit year, prior to allocation of their next year's credits.

Paper claims may take up to 15 business days to process. This does not include the time needed by Canada Post to deliver your claim to us, or the time required to process your claim through your health or dental plan if needed.

Provided the Health Spending Account (HSA) claim was received within your group's claim limitation period, it is still considered eligible and will be included in the next payment run. Cheques are mailed every Wednesday and direct deposit payments are transmitted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

To avoid delay, sign up for direct deposit in mybluecross® and gain access to HSA Online Request. This service allows you to request reimbursement for outstanding balances previously submitted to your health or dental plan. If you have receipts or unpaid balances with another carrier, be sure to submit an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from that carrier so we may add these outstanding expenses to your account.

No, unused credits will not be reimbursed to you. In accordance with The Income Tax Act:

• Health Spending Account credits may only be used to reimburse medical expenses within a specified time period.
• In order to receive reimbursement, you must claim an expense.
• Credits not used within the specified time period are forfeited.

If your employer terminates your coverage when you start maternity leave, you may submit Health Spending Account (HSA) expenses incurred during the time you were covered, provided they are submitted within the claim limitation period or termination grace period (whichever occurs first).

Visit My Coverage in mybluecross® to view your HSA plan information including claim limitation period and benefit year.

If your employment ends mid-year, you may submit Health Spending Account (HSA) expenses incurred during the time you were covered, provided they are submitted within the claim limitation period or termination grace period (whichever occurs first).

Visit My Coverage in mybluecross® to view your Health Spending Account (HSA) plan information including claim limitation period and benefit year.

Yes. Visit My Account in mybluecross® to set up direct deposit using your account number, transit number, and bank number (located on your personal cheque). Banking information will be updated within one business day.

Your Health Spending Account (HSA) is administered in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines which state that an HSA must be the last payer (after government, spousal, and student plans, etc.).