What does this change mean for ARTA members residing in Alberta?
Albertans who are fortunate enough to have private drug coverage, such as an ARTA Benefit Plan could, under the current system, submit the out-of-pocket costs to their respective private plan and receive 100 % coverage for eligible prescription drugs. As of October 1, private plans— including ARTA’ s— will become first payor for those expenses. As payor of last resort, the Coverage for Seniors program will then cover any remaining costs that would otherwise be paid out-of-pocket by the individual. The reason for this change is to transfer public health care costs to private benefit plan sponsors, specifically employers operating in Alberta. This includes voluntary private plans such as the ARTA Benefit Plans, for which members pay the entirety of the premiums.
The Bill further stipulates that employers are not allowed to change their benefits coverage for employees age 65 and over, meaning those employers will then be forced to cover the costs incurred by their employees who are currently covered by the Coverage for Seniors program. Since ARTA members are not employees of ARTA, we do have some options available to help offset the expected higher costs.
How will ARTA address this change?
ARTA’ s Health Benefits Committee is actively investigating ways to help minimize the additional costs that will inevitably be transferred by the public plan to ARTA Benefit Plans. These options may include:
• updating the plan design for Albertans age 65 and over covered by any ARTA Benefit Plans;
• reallocating resources to ensure affected plan participants still receive the health coverage they need; or
• removing coverage for certain items that will otherwise continue to be covered by the Coverage for Seniors program.
If you are an ARTA Benefit Plan member who does not reside in Alberta, rest assured you will not see any change to your coverage.
Stay tuned for more updates from ARTA this fall, including information about any changes to the plan related to these required legislative changes. Keeping ARTA members informed every step of the way remains our top priority.
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