Health Benefits
Gary Sawatzky | Chief Operating Officer , ARTA
Changes to the ARTA Benefit Plans Effective November 1 , 2023
Each year , the ARTA Health Benefits Committee reviews potential changes to the ARTA Benefit Plans . These potential changes often arise when covered members submit change requests to the Health Benefits Committee for consideration , which is the case for a few of the changes being made this year . Each of these requests is reviewed to determine if a group benefit plan such as ARTA is allowed to cover the service or device , and to make certain a significant number of members would benefit from the coverage change . Additional changes are then considered to ensure the Plan continues to provide the best retiree benefits available to ARTA members .
The following changes became effective November 1 , 2023 , for all members covered by an ARTA Extended Health Care plan :
1 . A virtual physician service ( Maple ) is available to members and their eligible dependants . As the name suggests , virtual care allows patients to meet with physicians online using technology like smartphones , computers , and tablets . Virtual physician services are not meant to replace a person ’ s family physician . Instead , it may be used to supplement in-person visits with a family physician . This service is especially useful for people with reduced mobility , people in rural areas who need to wait in hospital emergency rooms just to fill a prescription , or people who need to see a physician right away but cannot meet with their family physician in a timely manner . Virtual physicians have access to each person ’ s provincial health care records and can prescribe medications , order requisitions , and diagnose ailments , just like in-person physicians can .
2 . Weight-loss medications are now eligible under the lifestyle categories if you are covered under Health Wise Plus or Ultimate Health , under the current coverage and maximums ( 50 % coverage , up to $ 150 per year ).
3 . An Enhanced Generic Substitution pricing policy for brand-name prescription drugs that have a bioequivalent generic version available , but are not listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List , was introduced . Generic medications have been proven to be just as effective as their brand-name counterparts while costing significantly less . This results in additional long-term sustainability of the ARTA Benefit Plans .
4 . Coverage for battery packs for portable oxygen concentrators has been added to the plan as eligible expenses .
5 . Usual and customary charges for a number of services were updated to reflect actual charges in the marketplace .
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