Policy changes

Plan Administration and Change Management

Business Select allows employers to adjust their benefits program as their needs evolve. This section outlines the rules for changing existing coverage, adding new benefits, and adjusting Health Spending Account (HSA) allocations.

Making Changes to Existing Coverage

Employers may increase or decrease benefit options after maintaining the selected option for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

The 12-month requirement applies independently to each benefit line, including:

• Health care

• Dental

• Life Insurance

• Disability Benefits

• Critical Illness

This means an employer can change one benefit line without changing the rest of their plan.

Important Considerations

• Benefit option changes may only be requested after 12 consecutive months in the current option.

• The 12-month requirement applies separately to each benefit line.

• Following an approved change, a new 12-month period begins for the affected benefit.

• Approved changes are effective on the first day of a future month.

• Backdated changes are not permitted.

Example

An employer changes their Dental coverage from Basic to Classic effective February 1, 2028.

The Dental benefit must remain in the Classic option until at least February 1, 2029 before another Dental change can be requested. Changes to Dental do not impact the eligibility timelines for other benefit lines.

Adding New Benefits

Employers may enhance their benefits program by adding a new benefit after coverage has been implemented.

Important Considerations

• A new benefit may be added at any time (e.g. Disability or Critical Illness).

• All requests must be submitted through your Saskatchewan Blue Cross sales representative and are subject to review and approval.

• Approved additions become effective on the first day of a future month.

• Backdated requests are not permitted.

• Any applicable premiums will be effective as of the approved effective date.

Example

An employer initially implements Business Select with Health, Dental, and Life coverage. Several months later, they decide to add Critical Illness coverage.

Because Critical Illness is a new benefit, the employer may request the addition at any time. Once reviewed and approved, coverage will become effective on the first day of a future month.

Adjusting HSA Coverage

Employers may adjust HSA annual allocation amounts as their needs change, subject to the conditions below.

Important Considerations

• HSA annual allocations may be increased or decreased as of January 1.

• Employers must provide a minimum of one month's notice to Saskatchewan Blue Cross (no later than December 1).

• HSA allocation changes are not subject to the same 12-month rule that applies to insured benefits.

• All HSA adjustment requests must be submitted through your Saskatchewan Blue Cross sales representative.

• Backdated requests are not permitted.

Example

An employer with an annual HSA allocation of $500 per employee decides to increase the allocation to $750 per employee for the following year.

Provided the request is submitted within the required notice and approved, the updated allocation will come into effect on January 1 of the following year.