Benefits for Explore Edmonton
Welcome to Explore Edmonton’s Employee Benefits Plan!
Your Insurance Carrier Is Alberta Blue Cross
Full-time class: Watch a three-minute summary of your benefits.
Part-time employees: Watch a three-minute summary of your benefits.
coming..
The Details!
New to Benefits? Start Here!
Use this table to identify which class you belong to!
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Class A | Executives with Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) |
| Class B | 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 C | Hourly employees working a minimum average of 32 hours per week but less than 40 hours per week on an annual basis. |
| Class E | 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 H | 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 approximately 10 days after submitting your enrollment paperwork.
- 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 Ab Blue Cross and require separate sign-ups. See information below on how to sign up.
Put FAQ’s here
Need help with a claim, or have a direct billing issue?
Contact Alberta Blue Cross Customer Service:
780-498-8000 or 1-800-661-6995
Monday – Friday 6 am – 5 pm MST
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. 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.
Class A Benefits Summary
•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 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 9 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 1-855-933-0103 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
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.
Class B Benefits Summary
•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 9 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 1-855-933-0103 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
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.
Class C Benefits Summary
•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 9 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 1-855-933-0103 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
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.
Class E Benefits Summary
•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 9 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 1-855-933-0103 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
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.
Class F Benefits Summary
•3 X Annual Salary up to a max of $400,000
• Ends at age 65
Dependent Life Insurance
• Spouse coverage – $20,000
• Child coverage – $10,00
- 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
- 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
Annual amounts for each practitioner in brackets:
- Psychology ($500)
- Physiotherapy ($300)
- Massage Therapist ($300)
- Speech Therapy ($300)
- Acupuncturist ($300)
- Osteopath ($300)
- Podiatrist/Chiropodist ($300)
- Occupational Therapist ($300)
- Naturopath ($300)
- Dietician ($300)
- Speech Therapist ($300)
- Chiropractor ($300)
Basic Dental: 65% (cleanings, check-ups, fillings)
One check up every 9 months
Annual combined maximum is $2,000/year/person.
*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 1-855-933-0103 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
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.
Class H Benefits Summary
•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
• 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 9 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 1-855-933-0103 for any urgent mental health needs
• Use online matching program to find the best therapist for your needs
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.
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:
• Canada’s lowest dispensing fee – $4
• 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
EEC offers full-time employees spending accounts:
- Salaried employees – $500/year
- Director employees – $1,000/year
- Executive employees – $2,000/year
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.
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
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
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