The following changes became effective November 1, 2025, for all members covered by an ARTA Extended Health Care plan:
1. In 2023, only 1.3 % of plan members reached their annual respective prescription drug maximum( which makes sense on a larger scale, given 1.5 % to 2.0 % of people take an expensive specialty or biologic medication for chronic condition treatments). However, the number of people who reached their prescription drug maximum climbed to 5.3 % of all covered members in 2024, signalling it was time to review those annual maximums. With this in mind, the annual prescription drug maximums for people covered under the Build-Your-Own- Plans( Health Wise, Health Wise Plus, Total Health, and Ultimate Health) is increasing by 25 %. This means that if you are covered under one of these plans and your coverage had an annual prescription drug maximum of $ 1,200, your new annual prescription drug maximum is $ 1,500 starting November 1, 2025; if your annual maximum was $ 2,000, your new annual maximum is $ 2,500. Your ARTA Benefits ID card has been updated to reflect these increases.
2. The Emergency Travel maximum benefit is increasing from $ 5,000,000 per covered person’ s lifetime to $ 5,000,000 per trip.
3. Coverage for biofeedback devices for pelvic floor treatment is being added under the triennial maximum for pessaries($ 100 every three years). These devices use electrical stimulation to activate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, aiding in the treatment of various conditions like urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.
4. Coverage for incontinence supplies is increasing from $ 200 per year to $ 800 per year.
5. The Emergency Travel plan covers costs for treatment received from a physiotherapist, chiropractor, and chiropodist / podiatrist when the treatment is the result of a sudden and unforeseen medical emergency resulting from injury, sickness, or disease while travelling outside of your province of residence. The maximum amount allowed is increasing from $ 250 to $ 500 per practitioner per year.
6. The Usual and Customary charges for massage therapy, occupational therapy, naturopathic treatment, podiatry treatment or X-ray, and psychology treatment have been increased based on the marketplace charges for these services.
Detailed information on these coverage changes is included in the plan booklets, available online at artabenefits. net, by clicking on“ Benefit Booklets” under the“ Extended Health Care” section located at the bottom of the page.
ARTA will continue to review potential plan enhancements on an ongoing basis, while keeping the plan affordable for our covered members. Please continue to submit plan change suggestions for the Health Benefits Committee’ s consideration. Suggestions may be mailed to the ARTA office or emailed to info @ arta. net.
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