Benefits for Explore Edmonton
Welcome to Explore Edmonton’s Employee Benefits Plan!
Our Benefits Philosophy
Explore Edmonton fosters a culture that puts people first.
The organization has committed to the success of each employee and believes a fair and robust benefits program is a reflection of that promise.
To care for one another and put people first, Explore Edmonton will deliver a financially sustainable benefits plan that recognizes the contributions of each Explorer. Â All full-time employees will receive equal benefits coverage.
We believe our benefits plan should support the collective physical and mental wellbeing of our teammates and this will help us achieve collective success.
Your Insurance Carrier Is Alberta Blue Cross
Do you have questions? Contact humanresources@exploreedmonton.com.
The Details!
New to Benefits? Start Here!
Use this table to identify which class you belong to!
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Class AA | Executives with Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) |
| Class BB | Salaried, Full-Time Union & Full-Time Non-Union employees* with Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) who have passed their three month waiting period (unless otherwise stated in your employment contract) |
| Class CC | Hourly employees working a minimum average of 32 hours per week but less than 40 hours per week on an annual basis. |
| Class EE | Salaried & Full-Time Non-Union employees without LAPP who have passed their three-month waiting period (unless otherwise stated in your employment agreement) OR UFCW Union employees working 40 hours a week on an annual basis OR Term Salaried Employees |
| Class FF | Executives without Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) |
| Class HH | Hourly employees working a minimum average of 20 hours per week over 13 consecutive weeks |
- Look for your welcome email from Alberta Blue Cross. It will be emailed to your personal email address before you are eligible to receive benefits.
- Register for your account, download the AB Blue Cross app and update your dependent and beneficiary information in your AB Blue Cross profile.
- *Remember: Your wellness benefits are delivered outside of Alberta Blue Cross and require separate sign-ups. See information below on how to sign up.
- What is Alberta Blue Cross Blue Advantage membership?
Click here for details. - I am interested in applying for and paying for extra life insurance. How do I do that?
Click here for details.Â
- Need help with your benefits coverage or have questions?
Contact humanresources@exploreedmonton.com - Need help with a claim? Have a direct billing issue? Or having trouble with your Alberta Blue Cross app or employee portal?
Contact Alberta Blue Cross Customer Service:
780-498-8000 or 1-800-661-6995
Monday – Friday 6 am – 5 pm MST
Tell them you are with Explore Edmonton (Group number 84813)
Class AA Benefits Summary
Click to watch the video:
•3 X Annual Salary up to a max of $400,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $20,000
• Child coverage – $10,000
• 66.67% of weekly earnings up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1,500
• Paid non-taxable
• 66.67% of the first $3,000 in monthly earnings, plus 50% of excess up to a maximum benefit of $10,000
• Paid non-taxable
• Coverage terminates at age 65
An additional monthly contribution will be made to the employer-sponsored pension plan fund in accordance with LAPP legislation.
- Coverage for unexpected illness or injury while travelling out of province
- 100% coverage up to $5,000,000 per incident
- Up to 60 days per trip of coverage
- Coverage ends at age 70
- 100% coverage for prescription medications
- 100% coverage for Extended Healthcare Items, including ambulance
Check Alberta Blue Cross booklet for details on annual limits for specific medical equipment, including:
- Hearing Aids
- Sleep Apnea
- Orthotics
- Contraceptives
Receive a flexible annual maximum amount for all practitioners combined of $1,500.
You decide which practitioners you want to see with this coverage!
- Physiotherapy
- Massage Therapist
- Speech Therapy
- Acupuncturist
- Osteopath
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist
- Occupational Therapist
- Psychology
- Naturopath
- Dietician
- Speech Therapist
- Chiropractor
Basic Dental: 80% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 6 months
Major Dental: 50% (crowns, dentures)
Annual combined maximum for basic and major is $2,000/year/person.
Orthodontics
50% coverage for children only to a $2,000 lifetime maximum
*Timber Tip: If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, your benefits will not cover the additional cost.
- Eye exams 100% coverage up to reasonable and customary
- Adult eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/24 months
- Children eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/12 months
Affordable and high-quality mental health support is available through Mental Health on Demand.
• Receive unlimited online therapy appointments for $90/hour
• Your first session is free
• Use your healthcare practitioner coverage of $1500/year to put towards your sessions.
• 24/7/365 Support Phone Line answered by a clinician – call 1-833-707-4747 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
- Input your personal email address
- The organization code is explore
- Case sensitive and all lower-case
Need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner? You and your family have access to on-demand medical appointments with doctors for medical care within minutes from your phone or computer. Appointments are available on-demand for:
- Unlimited primary healthcare support for medical needs
- Receive diagnosis, prescriptions, medical notes, lab requisitions, imaging request and specialist referrals
- Access specialist referrals (when medically necessary)
- Download the Maple app and register for your account when you receive a welcome email.
Explore Advica Virtual Health Poster
Already Registered? Access your Maple Account HERE.
Need to sign up? Check your personal inbox for a welcome email from Advica Health (it was sent from emailadmin@advicahealth.com).
Input your Advica MemberID and create your account (Member ID found on the email).
Invite your family members to create their own, free account.
Class BB Benefits Summary
Click to watch this short video summary of your benefits coverage:
•2.5 X Annual Salary up to a max of $300,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $20,000
• Child coverage – $10,000
• 66.67% of weekly earnings up to a maximum weekly benefit of $950
• Paid non-taxable
• 66.67% of the first $3,000 in monthly earnings, plus 50% of excess up to a maximum benefit of $4,000
• Paid non-taxable
• Coverage terminates at age 65
An additional monthly contribution will be made to the employer-sponsored pension plan fund in accordance with LAPP legislation.
- Coverage for unexpected illness or injury while travelling out of province
- 100% coverage up to $5,000,000 per incident
- Up to 60 days per trip of coverage
- Coverage ends at age 70
- 100% coverage for prescription medications
- 100% coverage for Extended Healthcare Items, including ambulance
Check AB Blue Cross booklet for details on annual limits for specific medical equipment, including:
- Hearing Aids
- Sleep Apnea
- Orthotics
- Contraceptives
Receive a flexible annual maximum amount for all practitioners combined of $1,500.
You decide which practitioners you want to see with this coverage!
- Physiotherapy
- Massage Therapist
- Speech Therapy
- Acupuncturist
- Osteopath
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist
- Occupational Therapist
- Psychology
- Naturopath
- Dietician
- Speech Therapist
- Chiropractor
Basic Dental: 80% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 6 months
Major Dental: 50% (crowns, dentures)
Annual combined maximum for basic and major is $2,000/year/person.
Orthodontics
50% coverage for children only to a $2,000 lifetime maximum
*Timber Tip: If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, your benefits will not cover the additional cost.
- Eye exams 100% coverage up to reasonable and customary
- Adult eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/24 months
- Children eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/12 months
Affordable and high-quality mental health support is available through Mental Health on Demand.
• Receive unlimited online therapy appointments for $90/hour
• Your first session is free
• Use your healthcare practitioner coverage of $1500/year to put towards your sessions.
• 24/7/365 Support Phone Line answered by a clinician – call 1-833-707-4747 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
- Input your personal email address
- The organization code is explore
- Case sensitive and all lower-case
Need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner? You and your family have access to on-demand medical appointments with doctors for medical care within minutes from your phone or computer. Appointments are available on-demand for:
- Unlimited primary healthcare support for medical needs
- Receive diagnosis, prescriptions, medical notes, lab requisitions, imaging request and specialist referrals
- Access specialist referrals (when medically necessary)
- Download the Maple app and register for your account when you receive a welcome email.
Already Registered? Access your Maple Account HERE.
Need to sign up? Check your personal inbox for a welcome email from Advica Health (it was sent from emailadmin@advicahealth.com).
Input your Advica MemberID and create your account (Member ID found on the email).
Invite your family members to create their own, free account.
Class CC Benefits Summary
Click to watch a quick video of your benefits coverage:
•2.5 X Annual Salary up to a max of $300,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $20,000
• Child coverage – $10,000
• 66.67% of weekly earnings up to a maximum weekly benefit of $950
• Paid non-taxable
• 66.67% of the first $3,000 in monthly earnings, plus 50% of excess up to a maximum benefit of $4,000
• Paid non-taxable
• Coverage terminates at age 65
- Coverage for unexpected illness or injury while travelling out of province
- 100% coverage up to $5,000,000 per incident
- Up to 60 days per trip of coverage
- Coverage ends at age 70
- 100% coverage for prescription medications
- 100% coverage for Extended Healthcare Items, including ambulance
Check AB Blue Cross booklet for details on annual limits for specific medical equipment, including:
- Hearing Aids
- Sleep Apnea
- Orthotics
- Contraceptives
Receive a flexible annual maximum amount for all practitioners combined of $1,500.
You decide which practitioners you want to see with this coverage!
- Physiotherapy
- Massage Therapist
- Speech Therapy
- Acupuncturist
- Osteopath
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist
- Occupational Therapist
- Psychology
- Naturopath
- Dietician
- Speech Therapist
- Chiropractor
Basic Dental: 80% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 6 months
Major Dental: 50% (crowns, dentures)
Annual combined maximum for basic and major is $2,000/year/person.
Orthodontics
50% coverage for children only to a $2,000 lifetime maximum
*Timber Tip: If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, your benefits will not cover the additional cost.
- Eye exams 100% coverage up to reasonable and customary
- Adult eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/24 months
- Children eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/12 months
Affordable and high-quality mental health support is available through Mental Health on Demand.
• Receive unlimited online therapy appointments for $90/hour
• Your first session is free
• Use your healthcare practitioner coverage of $1500/year to put towards your sessions.
• 24/7/365 Support Phone Line answered by a clinician – call 1-833-707-4747 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
- Input your personal email address
- The organization code is explore
- Case sensitive and all lower-case
Need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner? You and your family have access to on-demand medical appointments with doctors for medical care within minutes from your phone or computer. Appointments are available on-demand for:
- Unlimited primary healthcare support for medical needs
- Receive diagnosis, prescriptions, medical notes, lab requisitions, imaging request and specialist referrals
- Access specialist referrals (when medically necessary)
- Download the Maple app and register for your account when you receive a welcome email.
Already Registered? Access your Maple Account HERE.
Need to sign up? Check your personal inbox for a welcome email from Advica Health (it was sent from emailadmin@advicahealth.com).
Input your Advica MemberID and create your account (Member ID found on the email).
Invite your family members to create their own, free account.
Class EE Benefits Summary
Click to watch a quick video summary of your benefit plan:
•2.5 X Annual Salary up to a max of $300,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $20,000
• Child coverage – $10,000
• 66.67% of weekly earnings up to a maximum weekly benefit of $950
• Paid non-taxable
• 66.67% of the first $3,000 in monthly earnings, plus 50% of excess up to a maximum benefit of $4,000
• Paid non-taxable
• Coverage terminates at age 65
- Coverage for unexpected illness or injury while travelling out of province
- 100% coverage up to $5,000,000 per incident
- Up to 60 days per trip of coverage
- Coverage ends at age 70
- 100% coverage for prescription medications
- 100% coverage for Extended Healthcare Items, including ambulance
Check AB Blue Cross booklet for details on annual limits for specific medical equipment, including:
- Hearing Aids
- Sleep Apnea
- Orthotics
- Contraceptives
Receive a flexible annual maximum amount for all practitioners combined of $1,500.
You decide which practitioners you want to see with this coverage!
- Physiotherapy
- Massage Therapist
- Speech Therapy
- Acupuncturist
- Osteopath
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist
- Occupational Therapist
- Psychology
- Naturopath
- Dietician
- Speech Therapist
- Chiropractor
Basic Dental: 80% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 6 months
Major Dental: 50% (crowns, dentures)
Annual combined maximum for basic and major is $2,000/year/person.
Orthodontics
50% coverage for children only to a $2,000 lifetime maximum
*Timber Tip: If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, your benefits will not cover the additional cost.
- Eye exams 100% coverage up to reasonable and customary
- Adult eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/24 months
- Children eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/12 months
Affordable and high-quality mental health support is available through Mental Health on Demand.
• Receive unlimited online therapy appointments for $90/hour
• Your first session is free
• Use your healthcare practitioner coverage of $1500/year to put towards your sessions.
• 24/7/365 Support Phone Line answered by a clinician – call 1-833-707-4747 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
- Input your personal email address
- The organization code is explore
- Case sensitive and all lower-case
Need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner? You and your family have access to on-demand medical appointments with doctors for medical care within minutes from your phone or computer. Appointments are available on-demand for:
- Unlimited primary healthcare support for medical needs
- Receive diagnosis, prescriptions, medical notes, lab requisitions, imaging request and specialist referrals
- Access specialist referrals (when medically necessary)
- Download the Maple app and register for your account when you receive a welcome email.
Already Registered? Access your Maple Account HERE.
Need to sign up? Check your personal inbox for a welcome email from Advica Health (it was sent from emailadmin@advicahealth.com).
Input your Advica MemberID and create your account (Member ID found on the email).
Invite your family members to create their own, free account.
Class FF Benefits Summary
Click to watch the video:
•3X Annual Salary up to a max of $400,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $20,000
• Child coverage – $10,000
• 66.67% of weekly earnings up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1,500
• Paid non-taxable
• 66.67% of the first $3,000 in monthly earnings, plus 50% of excess up to a maximum benefit of $10,000
• Paid non-taxable
• Coverage terminates at age 65
- Coverage for unexpected illness or injury while travelling out of province
- 100% coverage up to $5,000,000 per incident
- Up to 60 days per trip of coverage
- Coverage ends at age 70
- 100% coverage for prescription medications
100% coverage for Extended Healthcare Items, including ambulance
Check AB Blue Cross booklet for details on annual limits for specific medical equipment, including:
- Hearing Aids
- Sleep Apnea
- Orthotics
- Contraceptives
Receive a flexible annual maximum amount for all practitioners combined of $1,500.
You decide which practitioners you want to see with this coverage!
- Physiotherapy
- Massage Therapist
- Speech Therapy
- Acupuncturist
- Osteopath
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist
- Occupational Therapist
- Psychology
- Naturopath
- Dietician
- Speech Therapist
- Chiropractor
Basic Dental: 80% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 6 months
Major Dental: 50% (crowns, dentures)
Annual combined maximum for basic and major is $2,000/year/person.
Orthodontics
50% coverage for children only to a $2,000 lifetime maximum
*Timber Tip: If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, your benefits will not cover the additional cost.
- Eye exams 100% coverage up to reasonable and customary
- Adult eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/24 months
- Children eyewear and contacts up to a maximum of $300/12 months
Affordable and high-quality mental health support is available through Mental Health on Demand.
• Receive unlimited online therapy appointments for $90/hour
• Your first session is free
• Use your healthcare practitioner coverage of $1500/year to put towards your sessions.
• 24/7/365 Support Phone Line answered by a clinician – call 1-833-707-4747 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
- Input your personal email address
- The organization code is explore
- Case sensitive and all lower-case
Need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner? You and your family have access to on-demand medical appointments with doctors for medical care within minutes from your phone or computer. Appointments are available on-demand for:
- Unlimited primary healthcare support for medical needs
- Receive diagnosis, prescriptions, medical notes, lab requisitions, imaging request and specialist referrals
- Access specialist referrals (when medically necessary)
- Download the Maple app and register for your account when you receive a welcome email.
Already Registered? Access your Maple Account HERE.
Need to sign up? Check your personal inbox for a welcome email from Advica Health (it was sent from emailadmin@advicahealth.com).
Input your Advica MemberID and create your account (Member ID found on the email).
Invite your family members to create their own, free account.
Class HH Benefits Summary
Click to watch the video:
•1 X Annual Salary up to a max of $300,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $10,000
• Child coverage – $5,000
- Coverage for unexpected illness or injury while travelling out of province
- 100% coverage up to $5,000,000 per incident
- Up to 60 days per trip of coverage
- Coverage ends at age 70
- 65% coverage for prescription medications (75% if you use PocketPills Virtual Pharmacy)
65% coverage for Extended Healthcare Items, including ambulance
Check AB Blue Cross booklet for details on annual limits for specific medical equipment, including:
- Hearing Aids
- Sleep Apnea
- Orthotics
- Contraceptives
- Physiotherapy ($300/year)
- Massage Therapist($300/year)
- Acupuncturist($300/year)
- Osteopath($300/year)
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist($300/year)
- Psychology ($500/year)
- Naturopath($300/year)
- Speech Therapist ($300/year)
- Chiropractor ($300/year)
Basic Dental: 65% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 9 months
Annual maximum of $2,000 for dental coverage
*Timber Tip: If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, your benefits will not cover the additional cost.
Affordable and high-quality mental health support is available through Mental Health on Demand.
• Receive unlimited online therapy appointments for $90/hour
• Your first session is free
• Use your healthcare practitioner coverage of $1500/year to put towards your sessions.
• 24/7/365 Support Phone Line answered by a clinician – call 1-833-707-4747 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
- Input your personal email address
- The organization code is explore
- Case sensitive and all lower-case
Need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner? You and your family have access to on-demand medical appointments with doctors for medical care within minutes from your phone or computer. Appointments are available on-demand for:
- Unlimited primary healthcare support for medical needs
- Receive diagnosis, prescriptions, medical notes, lab requisitions, imaging request and specialist referrals
- Access specialist referrals (when medically necessary)
- Download the Maple app and register for your account when you receive a welcome email.
Already Registered? Access your Maple Account HERE.
Need to sign up? Check your personal inbox for a welcome email from Advica Health (it was sent from emailadmin@advicahealth.com).
Input your Advica MemberID and create your account (Member ID found on the email).
Invite your family members to create their own, free account.
Receive an additional 10% top-up on your prescription medication coverage if you use PocketPills Virtual Pharmacy.
Timber tip: AB Blue Cross provides you with 65% drug coverage – so using this pharmacy will allow you to have 75% coverage on prescriptions.
Other PocketPills Perks:
• Low dispensing fee – $9
• FREE medication and vitamin delivery to your house and automatic refills
• Medication sorted into packs organized by date
• Pharmacists available to answer questions via phone, text, email, or live chat 7 days a week
Spending Account Information
There is one big difference you need to understand about health and wellness expenses!
Health expenses are non-taxable, meaning you can make these claims and not have any extra taxes to pay for these expenses.
Wellness expenses are taxable and considered extra income on top of your salary. You will be taxed at your personal tax rate for any wellness expenses you claim.
Health Spending Account Brochure
Non-Taxable Health Expenses:
- Extra medical or dental expenses not covered by your core plan
- Extra vision care expenses not covered by your core plan (eye glasses, contacts, laser eye surgery)
- Extra orthodontic expenses not covered by your core plan
- Extra healthcare practitioners once you use up your healthcare practitioners
Wellness Spending Account Brochure
Eligible wellness expenses are very broad!
Here is the full list.
Highlights include:
- Family Care (daycare, nannies, tutoring, day camps, elder care, guide dogs, respite care)
- Fitness and Sports (fitness club memberships, facility fees, purchase or rental of fitness equipment, sports equipment, Fitbit devices, athletic shoes)
- Fitness Apparel (yoga wear)
- Commuting to Work (monthly parking fees, transit passes)
- Recreation and Leisure travel (car rentals, all inclusive resort fees, flights, hotels, etc.)
- Pet Care (daycare, kennel fees, pet insurance, vet expenses)
- Work from Home (desk, chair, ergonomic equipment)
Sign into the AB Blue Cross member site and select Health Spending Account under your benefits.
- Take a picture and upload
<Need more more info here>
How to set up your RRSP
Common Forms
All common forms will be found here!