Quarterly Broker Updates

SEPTEMBER 2023

Welcome to your New Quarterly Broker Newsletter

We're thrilled to introduce you to the newly refreshed Broker newsletter where we'll share the latest news and announcements from Saskatchewan Blue Cross each quarter. 

We have some exciting updates for you in this issue. From introducing you to our new Personal Health plan, to new courses in your Broker Learning Centre, read further to stay updated on our latest developments that matter to you and your clients.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition of our newsletter! Please do tell us what you think by completing a very short survey at the end.  

The New Guaranteed Acceptance Personal Health Plan is Here

The Guaranteed Acceptance plan offers total health coverage, without being affected by medical history!

Saskatchewan Blue Cross is thrilled to introduce our new, non-medically-underwritten, Guaranteed Acceptance Personal Health plan will be launching next week! This new plan helps remove barriers to purchasing health insurance for all people in Saskatchewan.

The Guaranteed Acceptance plan is a comprehensive package, bundling our most popular benefits:

• Core health (20+ benefits)
• Prescription drugs up to $1500
• Dental (80% for basic services & 50% for major services - Combined maximum of $1500 per policy year)
• VIP travel.

Customers also have the option to add Student Accident coverage for an additional premium. Click below for a complete review of the benefits included in the Guaranteed Acceptance Personal Health Plan.

Broker Training

To prepare you for the launch of the Guaranteed Acceptance plan, your Broker Learning Centre has been updated to provide you with tools to get better acquainted with this product and the sales process. This includes a Personal Health Plans course (details are given in the Broker Learning Centre section below), how-to videos and answers to FAQs that can be found on your Broker Resource Library.

Fall Wellness Webinars

We’re excited to provide you, your team and your clients with access to two more Wellness Webinars this fall! Take 30 minutes and join us over the lunch hour for some Mindful Movement and to chat about Mindfulness for Stress Reduction.

Mindful Movement/Chair Yoga

October 5, 2023

12:00pm - 12:30pm

This class features simple stretches to wake up the mind and body. All stretching poses are great for beginners and experts alike, no experience required! Your certified yoga teacher will be happy to provide modifications for each posture so all individuals may enjoy the health benefits of yoga, no matter their fitness level. No yoga or special equipment required, just bring yourself and a chair!

✨MEMBER EXCLUSIVE?

Mindfulness for Stress Reduction

October 12, 2023

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Self-care is essential to maintaining positive mental health and reducing stress. And self-care isn't just about bubble baths! This class will look at two techniques you can use to improve your own self-care and support others around you. No special equipment or clothing required.



Use the following template to share the upcoming sessions with your team and clients!

Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey

Saskatchewan Blue Cross continues to strive to improve our product and service offerings and by engaging and connecting with our Members, Brokers, and Administrators, our annual satisfaction research provides a consistent way of collecting feedback to help guide our future direction.

This year, our research partner Insightrix, will be in the field starting October 2 to take the pulse of our Personal Health Plan Members and Brokers. Work in the field is expected to run until November 5. The survey will take approximately five to ten minutes to complete and does not require any policy or client specific details or information.

If you receive a call or email about the survey, we kindly ask you to take a few minutes to give your valuable feedback. Additionally, should you have any questions when contacted, you may email us on surveys@sk.bluecross.ca or call on 1-800-667-6853 to verify the legitimacy of the research being conducted.

We look forward to hearing from you. Your feedback will help Saskatchewan Blue Cross continue to support our members on their whole health journeys.

New Personal Health Plans Course

A new Personal Health Plans course has been updated in your Broker Learning Centre! Specifically designed for Brokers who seek to develop a comprehensive understanding of the products and processes available with Saskatchewan Blue Cross Personal Health Plans. This course will provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical insights into the features, benefits, and procedures associated with these plans. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the necessary expertise to effectively assist clients in navigating the Saskatchewan Blue Cross personal health plans landscape.

New how-to videos are available which outline the steps required to complete the online application. Please review the Personal Health Plans course and the new how-to videos to update yourself on the new processes required for the personal health plan online applications.

New Courses Coming Soon

In our commitment to promote Health Literacy across the province and ensuring Brokers have the tools to strengthen your business, we are introducing new courses coming to the Broker Learning Centre this fall. These courses include topics designed to provide insight into our communities and the needs of our customers such as:

• Empowering Healthy Lives: Newcomer to Canadian Citizen (CE Credits Available)
• What You Need to Know When Traveling (CE Credits Available)
• Group Information Course

The new courses will join our current course offerings which include:

• Personal Health Plan & Travel product knowledge
• Empowering Healthy Lives: High School Through Retirement (1 CE Credit)
• Trends in Virtual Care (2 CE Credits)
• Cultivating Workplace Wellbeing (2 CE Credits)

Keep a lookout for these courses, view how-to videos, access Broker resources, or review any past newsletters from Saskatchewan Blue Cross by exploring your Broker Resource Centre today!

If you or a Broker in your office does not have login information for the Broker Learning Centre, please email brokers@sk.bluecross.ca to request yours now.

Saskatchewan Blue Cross Fall Webinar

Thank you to those who joined our exclusive virtual town hall today!

We're excited to announce a second webinar in partnership with IBAS coming to you this fall. This training webinar will focus on trends in types of care, important knowledge for demographics, and key information to be aware of as you assist your clients.

Participating in these webinars grants you one (1) Continuing Education (CE) credit. It's an opportunity to enhance your expertise while engaging with the best in the industry. To ensure your CE credit eligibility, please ensure you individually register for the event.

Keep a look out for details coming to you soon!

Catch Up on Saskatchewan Blue Cross Activities in your Community

? Saskatchewan Blue Cross Expands Partnership with the YMCA of Regina to Support Health Literacy

? Saskatchewan Blue Cross Supports Patient Care Through Financial Assistance to Rural Hospital Foundations

? Saskatchewan Blue Cross and TeensTalk YXE partner to Support Youth Mental Health

? Saskatchewan Blue Cross Partners with Youth Matter Canada to Support Youth Mental Health

? Saskatchewan Blue Cross Extends Financial Assistance to Rural Hospital Foundations For 3rd Consecutive Year

✈️ Saskatchewan Blue Cross and Make-A-Wish Canada Join Forces to Grant Life-Changing Wishes

? Saskatchewan Blue Cross Partners with Lung Saskatchewan to Develop Digital Resources for Long Covid

Your Voice, Your Choice

The “Your Voice, Your Choice" program is back! We would like you to help us allocate funds to causes you and your employees care most about!

The organizations selected this year are:

• Saskatoon Hospital Foundations: Royal University Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital & City Hospital 
• Hospitals of Regina Foundation
• Food Banks of Saskatchewan 
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan
• White Buffalo Youth Lodge - Saskatoon
• The Circle Project - Regina

If you haven't already done so, reminder to please vote for the organization of your choice before October 6, 2023.

For more details about the “Your Voice, Your Choice" program, how to vote and information about the organizations selected, click on the link below. 

The Ride for Refuge - Join us Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023

Through our ongoing commitment and health literacy, Saskatchewan Blue Cross is proud to support our community partner Global Gathering Place as lead sponsor for the 2023 Ride for Refuge taking place in Saskatoon, on September 23, 2023.

This in-person fundraising bike ride or walk, will be held nationwide to raise money for local charities that support people seeking hope, safety, and freedom! 

We invite you to participate in this amazing cause by walking, riding or donating. Click on the link below to learn how to get involved. 

Introducing our New Product Enablement Team

As part of our continuous journey to provide exceptional member experiences, we're excited to introduce our new Product Enablement team lead by Mike Smiley! Mike and his team will partner closely with all teams across Saskatchewan Blue Cross to evolve our members' experiences through technology and non-technology driven projects. The Product Enablement team will focus on identifying and addressing industry changes, enabling us to anticipate and address the needs of our stakeholders through product enhancements and solutions.

The addition of this new department positions Saskatchewan Blue Cross to respond quickly to the needs of our members, clients and Brokers, ensuring we're delivering the best member experience across the health and life insurance industry.

Meet our Latest Broker Support Team Member

At Saskatchewan Blue Cross, we strive to provide the tools and resources to help aid in your success.

We're thrilled to introduce the latest member of our Broker support team, Jordon Boland, our new Individual Sales Team Lead. Jordon has been with Saskatchewan Blue Cross for 3 years, helping our members and Brokers with our Personal Health and Travel plans to ensure they have the correct coverage for their health care needs. 

Jordon joins Harry, Chantelle, and Ashley in our Broker support team, dedicated to providing exceptional service to our valued Broker network as their primary resource for all Health or Travel products!

Saskatchewan Blue Cross Senior Vice President Receives Businesswomen of the Year Award

We're excited to announce that our Senior Vice President and Chief Brand and Commercial Officer, Megan Douglas has been named the 2023 Health Insurance Businesswoman of the Year by Acquisition International Magazine.

“We are thrilled to announce that Megan has received this international award. It confirms her contributions and highlights her achievements in our industry. She continues to be an inspiration to everyone at our organization and helps position us a leader in healthcare insurance,” said Kelly Wilson, Saskatchewan Blue Cross President & CEO.

Contact your Broker team

Email brokers@sk.bluecross.ca

Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In-person service is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saskatchewan Blue Cross

516 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK  S7K 2C5  Canada

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