NBA Retiree Benefit Program: Health Spending Account

A health spending account is a group benefit that reimburses eligible health-care expenses that have not been fully reimbursed by other benefit plans, in accordance with the Income Tax Act and Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. 

BCNU will contact you directly with instructions if more information is needed to enrol you. If BCNU already has the required information, no action is needed. Eligible expenses incurred on or after your coverage effective date, and no earlier than January 1, 2027, may be submitted for reimbursement after enrolment.

Eligible NBA retirees enrolled in the Retiree Benefit Program. The HSA covers the retired member only; spouses and dependents are not eligible.

BCNU intends to automatically enrol eligible retirees who are already enrolled in the RBP and for whom BCNU has all information required by Pacific Blue Cross. If BCNU’s records are missing information required to enrol with  Pacific Blue Cross, BCNU will contact the affected retiree directly with instructions on how to provide the missing information.

Pacific Blue Cross requires certain personal information to establish or link your HSA account, confirm your identity, and administer your coverage. BCNU will collect the information required for enrolment and submit it to Pacific Blue Cross on your behalf. Pacific Blue Cross cannot complete your enrolment and you will not be able to access the HSA. 

You can find your  Pacific Blue Cross policy number and identification number in the following ways:

1. Check your Pacific Blue Cross ID card: Both numbers are printed on your Pacific Blue Cross ID card.
2. Check your Pacific Blue Cross account: Visit pacificbluecross.ca, sign in to your account and review your account information.
3. Contact Pacific Blue Cross: If you are unable to locate your numbers, contact Pacific Blue Cross directly at 604-419-2000 (Lower Mainland) or 1-877-722-2583 (toll-free). A representative can help you locate or confirm your information. 

If BCNU contacts you to request enrolment information, provide the same personal details used for your existing Pacific Blue Cross extended health or dental coverage. This may allow Pacific Blue Cross to link your HSA to your existing account, so you may not need separate online access credentials.

Yes. If you are an eligible RBP member, you can receive the HSA even if another insurer provides your retiree health or dental benefits. Eligible RBP members will be automatically enrolled where BCNU already has all information required by PBC. If any required information is missing, BCNU will contact you directly with instructions on how to provide it so your enrolment can be completed.  

No. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the $1,000 benefit will be provided through the HSA. The HSA allocation cannot be taken as a cash payment. 

A maximum of $1,000 is available per calendar year.

HSA coverage will take effect on the first day of the month following a retiree’s enrolment in the RBP. The annual allocation is not prorated, but only eligible expenses incurred during the member’s coverage period can be reimbursed. For example, a retiree who enrols on November 21, 2027, has coverage starting December 1, 2027, and may claim eligible December expenses up to the $1,000 annual limit. Someone who enrols on December 15, 2027, has coverage starting January 1, 2028, and cannot claim expenses incurred in 2027. Retirees are encouraged to enrol in the RBP promptly after retirement. 

Unused funds carry forward for one year and expire at the end of the following year (for example, unused 2027 funds expire December 31, 2028). Retirees will have 90 days following the end of a plan year to submit claims incurred in that year (for example, 2028 expenses may be submitted until March 31, 2029).

Claims will be administered by Pacific Blue Cross. Retirees can submit claims through the PBC website, mobile app, or by mail. Retirees who are also enrolled in another Pacific Blue Cross plan (e.g., MRBT) may have their plans linked, allowing them to apply the balance of a claim to their HSA without submitting a separate claim. However, Pacific Blue Cross needs matching personal information to link a member’s plans. If a retiree’s information does not match between their plans, they will need to submit separate claims for their HSA. 

For medical expense reimbursement, retirees must provide receipts identifying purpose and date of payment, the patient for whom the payment was made, and, where applicable, the practitioner/prescriber. We are confirming with Pacific Blue Cross what documentation is required for reimbursement of benefit premiums deducted from a retiree’s pension and will follow up with their response. 

HSA funds are not applied automatically. When submitting a claim, select the HSA option if you want to use your available balance.  

Eligible expenses are determined under the Income Tax Act and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines. The HSA can be used to reimburse eligible health-care expenses not fully covered by other benefit plans, including government coverage or another benefits plan under which you are covered.

The following are examples of expenses that may be eligible, subject to the Income Tax Act, applicable CRA guidelines, and Pacific Blue Cross’ claims requirements:

• Vision care: Prescription glasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery.
• Prescription medications: Eligible medications not covered by your extended health plan.
• Paramedical services: Services provided by eligible practitioners, such as psychologists, optometrists and acupuncturists.
• Dental care: Eligible expenses such as adult orthodontics.
• Out-of-pocket costs: Eligible deductibles, co-insurance and unpaid balances from other benefit plans.
• Health and dental premiums: Eligible insurance premiums, subject to CRA rules.

For a complete and up-to-date list of eligible expenses, including applicable conditions and exclusions, visit the CRA's eligible medical expenses webpage.. Pacific Blue Cross can also provide examples of eligible expenses.   

A proper receipt must support each amount claimed and should identify the purpose and date of the payment, the patient for whom the payment was made and, where applicable, the practitioner or other provider who prescribed the purchase or provided the service. A cancelled cheque alone is not  a substitute for a proper receipt. PBC may require additional information depending on the expense.

No, you cannot claim a medical expense tax credit for any portion of an expense that has been reimbursed through the HSA. You may be able to claim any eligible portion that was not reimbursed, subject to applicable tax rules. 

You can use your HSA to cover eligible costs not reimbursed because of deductibles or your other plan’s coverage limits.

Examples of expenses that are generally ineligible include elective cosmetic procedures and services provided by practitioners who do not meet CRA eligibility requirements. Refer to CRA guidance for current rules and exceptions. 

Out-of-country/province expenses for medical services (and related items such as prescription drugs) will generally be eligible, provided they are eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit. Please refer to the CRA website for any caveats as the requirements may evolve over time.

Retirees will have 90 days following the end of a plan year to submit claims incurred in that year (e.g., expenses incurred in 2028 can be submitted until March 31, 2029). For more information, please refer to either your plan booklet, or your PBC Member Profile.

The decision to provide an HSA was made following detailed actuarial reviews of the RBP fund which included projections of its long-term financial position based on assumed contribution rates, salary growth, benefit costs, investment returns and membership growth. The analysis included several adverse scenarios, and found that the $1,000 annual allocation was sustainable over the projection period. The NBA RBP committee will continue to monitor the fund’s position and engage the plan’s actuary to perform regular actuarial valuations. Benefit levels may be adjusted if needed to maintain the plan’s sustainability. The RBP benefits are not guaranteed and remain subject to available funds. 

Your Member Profile provides the following HSA information for the last two plan years:

1. your credits deposited
2. your claims paid amount
3. your current HSA balance
4. forfeited amount