Read Letter - Health Premiums (AB Blue Cross)
By Ms Pritchard
Written Mar. 25, 2010
A letter written to Mr. Thomas Lukaszuk, Edmonton-Castle Downs
For the attention of Mr Thomas Lukaszuk, I am a single working mother, of a 5 year old child who has a serious medical condition. In February 2008, I commenced a new job with my current employer only to discover that they only provide health insurance for their employees and not for their employees family and/or dependants. As a result, I contacted AB Blue Cross to enquire about health insurance for my daughter. I was advised that due to my daughter's age, she would not be eligible for the single coverage. To ensure my daughter had adequate health insurance, in accordance with AB Blue Cross' policy I took out the family coverage. Therefore, from August 2008 to June 2009, I have been paying $41/month for a family plan when in my opinion a single plan would have sufficed. In July 2009, without any prior warning, the AB Blue Cross fees for a family plan doubled to $82/month. Feeling outraged by their discriminatory policy and this 100% fee increase, I wrote to AB Blue Cross to express my dissatisfaction. In doing so, I highlighted that I have seen their false advertising, where they claim 'Alberta Blue Cross has an individual health and dental plan to suit your family's needs and your budget'. ....................................................................... I received the following response from AB Blue Cross: Dear Ms. Pritchard, Thank you for your December 10, 2009 inquiry regarding Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage premium increases. The Alberta government offers Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage to all Albertans to provide an option for coverage for a variety of health related services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Alberta Blue Cross administers Non-Group Coverage on behalf of Alberta Health and Wellness. As part of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy announced in December 2008, the Alberta government will continue to make the Non-Group Coverage plan available to Albertans; however, premiums for this plan have increased since July 1, 2009. Premiums for Non-Group Coverage (for those below 65 years of age) have not been adjusted since 1993 and are much lower than those paid by beneficiaries with private or employer plans. The monthly rates were increased effective July 1, 2009 to $41 and $82, respectively, and will increase again to $63.50 (single) and $118 (family) in July 2010 to better reflect current market rates. Making premiums comparable to those of employer and private plans is a fair and equitable approach and will allow government to work towards the sustainability of publicly-funded programs in the face of rapidly increasing drug expenditures. Subsidized Non-Group Coverage premium rates for low-income Albertans will continue to be available. Thank you for your comments regarding eligibility for single coverage and family coverage, this policy is currently under review. ....................................................................... While I appreciate that on paper it would appear that I earn more than the Low Income Cut Off (LICO), which is used to determine eligibility for Subsidized Non-Group Coverage Premiums. In reality, with the cost of childcare fees, unaffordable health insurance and taxes, I am finding it increasingly difficult to budget for additional costs such as the aforementioned. In turn, I am left feeling shocked that the Alberta Government would promote such discriminatory policies and unfair fee increases, particularly in light of the current economy. It is my belief that the Alberta Government should start looking at how they are going to best serve the citizens of this province, without taking from the more vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society. Adequate and affordable health care/insurance should be a right for all of Alberta's citizens. I would appreciate it if you would give this matter your utmost attention, as I cannot see how I am going to be able to afford to pay $118/month for my child's health insurance. I look forward to hearing from you.
Written Mar. 25, 2010
For the attention of Mr Thomas Lukaszuk, I am a single working mother, of a 5 year old child who has a serious medical condition. In February 2008, I commenced a new job with my current employer only to discover that they only provide health insurance for their employees and not for their employees family and/or dependants. As a result, I contacted AB Blue Cross to enquire about health insurance for my daughter. I was advised that due to my daughter's age, she would not be eligible for the single coverage. To ensure my daughter had adequate health insurance, in accordance with AB Blue Cross' policy I took out the family coverage. Therefore, from August 2008 to June 2009, I have been paying $41/month for a family plan when in my opinion a single plan would have sufficed. In July 2009, without any prior warning, the AB Blue Cross fees for a family plan doubled to $82/month. Feeling outraged by their discriminatory policy and this 100% fee increase, I wrote to AB Blue Cross to express my dissatisfaction. In doing so, I highlighted that I have seen their false advertising, where they claim 'Alberta Blue Cross has an individual health and dental plan to suit your family's needs and your budget'. ....................................................................... I received the following response from AB Blue Cross: Dear Ms. Pritchard, Thank you for your December 10, 2009 inquiry regarding Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage premium increases. The Alberta government offers Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage to all Albertans to provide an option for coverage for a variety of health related services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Alberta Blue Cross administers Non-Group Coverage on behalf of Alberta Health and Wellness. As part of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy announced in December 2008, the Alberta government will continue to make the Non-Group Coverage plan available to Albertans; however, premiums for this plan have increased since July 1, 2009. Premiums for Non-Group Coverage (for those below 65 years of age) have not been adjusted since 1993 and are much lower than those paid by beneficiaries with private or employer plans. The monthly rates were increased effective July 1, 2009 to $41 and $82, respectively, and will increase again to $63.50 (single) and $118 (family) in July 2010 to better reflect current market rates. Making premiums comparable to those of employer and private plans is a fair and equitable approach and will allow government to work towards the sustainability of publicly-funded programs in the face of rapidly increasing drug expenditures. Subsidized Non-Group Coverage premium rates for low-income Albertans will continue to be available. Thank you for your comments regarding eligibility for single coverage and family coverage, this policy is currently under review. ....................................................................... While I appreciate that on paper it would appear that I earn more than the Low Income Cut Off (LICO), which is used to determine eligibility for Subsidized Non-Group Coverage Premiums. In reality, with the cost of childcare fees, unaffordable health insurance and taxes, I am finding it increasingly difficult to budget for additional costs such as the aforementioned. In turn, I am left feeling shocked that the Alberta Government would promote such discriminatory policies and unfair fee increases, particularly in light of the current economy. It is my belief that the Alberta Government should start looking at how they are going to best serve the citizens of this province, without taking from the more vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society. Adequate and affordable health care/insurance should be a right for all of Alberta's citizens. I would appreciate it if you would give this matter your utmost attention, as I cannot see how I am going to be able to afford to pay $118/month for my child's health insurance. I look forward to hearing from you.
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