Pacific Blue Cross has today launched an enhanced personal health insurance health and dental plan that includes family planning benefits and has claimed to be the “first and only” provider in Canada to offer these benefits within an individual health and dental plan. It has done so in partnership with BC Women’s Health Foundation.
Incorporated in the plan are fertility drugs, fertility treatments and adoption, Pacific Blue Cross said.
“Family planning is a deeply personal and challenging topic for many British Columbians,” said Sarah Hoffman, President and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross. “At Pacific Blue Cross, we want to ensure future generations have access to the necessary support if and when they need it by helping them to start planning now.
“We are proud to launch the enhanced personal health insurance plan for families in our markets.”
The personal health insurance plan can assist British Columbians who are not covered under an employee-sponsored group plan and are planning for a family to cover costs not funded under the government health plan, Pacific Blue Cross said.
Around one in six couples in Canada experience infertility, and this is a number that has almost doubled since the 1980s, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The current average cost for one round of in-vitro fertilization is between $10,000 and $20,000, CBC has reported.
“You can’t discuss women’s healthcare without talking about equity,” said Cally Wesson, president and CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation. “The new Pacific Blue Cross Personal Health Insurance plan centralizes equity at its core.
“Supporting Canadians throughout their family planning journey is an innovative approach that will make a huge difference in people’s lives.”
Burnaby, BC, based Pacific Blue Cross was named a winner in Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards earlier this year.
