About the transition
On July 1, 2026, the Health Benefits Trust Fund (HBTF), currently insured by Canada Life, will transition to the new and enhanced Doctors of BC Health and Dental plan, insured by Manulife and adminstered through the Health Benefits Trust Fund.
Following an extensive consultation process by the HBTF Trustees, the new plan was designed to offer members enhanced benefits, increased flexibility, and greater choice.
If you are currently enrolled in the HBTF Standard plan and your coverage will continue under the current plan with no changes until July 1, 2026.
On July 1, Standard plan enrollees will be automatically transferred to the new Doctors of BC Health and Dental plan (Enhanced plan tier) with no change in premium. Until then, please continue sending your claims to Canada Life.
New plan enhancements at no additional cost
The core benefits of the new plan will be the same as your current plan. The new Health and Dental—Enhanced plan offers key enhancements, as summarized below:
| Benefit | Current HBTF Standard plan | New Health and Dental Enhanced plan |
|---|---|---|
| Vision care glasses/contacts | Not covered | $250 every 24 months |
| Paramedical | $500 maximum per practitioner, $1,000 combined maximum | No maximum per practitioner, $1,000 combined maximum |
| New paramedical practitioners | Not applicable | Dietician, Kinesiologist, Chiropodist, Audiologist |
| Weight-loss drugs | Limited | Covered |
| Fertility drugs | $2,400 lifetime maximum | $5,000 lifetime maximum |
| Out-of-country travel medical | $3M lifetime maximum | $5M lifetime maximum |
| Dental care for children | Covered from age 2 | Covered from birth |
| Coming January 2027: Optional feature for incorporated business to pay for and tax-deduct uninsured expenses | Cost-Plus with low limits | Health Spending Account with higher limits |
| Plan options | One plan | Three tiered-plan options for sponsoring doctor to select from. Evidence of insurability may be required. |
Important changes
To provide these enhancements at no additional cost and help maintain affordable premiums over the long term, the new plan incorporates changes that are aligned with industry best practices.
- Voluntary generic drugs: Your pharmacist will notify you if there is a lower cost generic drug alternative to a brand name drug that has been prescribed to you. If you choose to purchase the brand name drug, you will be reimbursed up to the cost of the generic version.
- Speech therapy maximum: The annual maximum for speech therapy will now be included within the overall paramedical services annual maximum of $1,000.
- Lifetime maximum: Your Enhanced plan will include a new overall health care lifetime maximum of $1M. Should you transition to the Lifetime (Over Age 70) plan, your lifetime claim amount and maximum will be carried forward.
- Waived coverage: If you, your spouse, or dependent previously waived health or dental coverage and, after May 30, 2026, wish to enroll, evidence of insurability will be required.
Since claims adjudication guidelines differ among insurers, you may observe minor variations in benefits reimbursement when moving from Canada Life to Manulife, even if the coverage levels remain the same.
Key dates
Mid-June, 2026–Prepare for new plan
- You will receive a welcome email with your new benefits booklet and instructions on how to enroll in Manulife’s mobile claims app starting July 1.
June 30, 2026—Current HBTF plan, insured by Canada Life, closes
- At midnight, you will no longer have access to the Canada Life claims website/app.
July 1, 2026—New Health and Dental plan, insured by Manulife, begins
- Manulife mobile claims app and website open for registration. All claims incurred on or after July 1 should be submitted to Manulife.
- Use the site to submit claims, access benefits cards, check coverage and maximums, and set up direct deposit.
- Access the Doctors of BC member portal for your new Statement of Coverage.
October 28, 2026—Deadline for Canada Life claims
- After the Canada Life e-claim platform closes on June 30, you have until October 28 to submit claims incurred prior to July 1 to Canada Life by using the health claim form or dental claim form.
November 1-30, 2026—Options period
- You may select a different tier of coverage (evidence of insurability may be required) and/or choose your Health Spending Account limit for 2027.
January 1, 2027—New Health Spending Account begins.
- More details to come.
More information is coming
In mid-June, you will receive a welcome email with your benefits booklets and instructions on how to enroll in the Manulife claims mobile app and website. As of July 1, the app will allow you to submit claims, check coverage details, access your benefits card, and much more!
Questions?
We are here to help with this change. Please reach out to an insurance advisor or call 604 736-5551.