HBT provides and administers Health and Welfare Benefits to nearly 130,000 employees working for more than 300 employers in healthcare, social services and the broader public sector in British Columbia.
Our responsibility is to ensure health benefits are delivered consistently to all member employers and their employees throughout BC.
Benefit products & Description
Covers prescription drug, medical equipment, vision care, paramedical visits
Covers the costs of covered dental expenses
An income replacement plan following completion of the qualification period
An amount paid to your beneficiary in the event of your death
An amount paid to you upon the death of your spouse or dependent children
Provides financial support in the event of specific diagnosed illness.
More About Group Benefits
At HBT we deliver a wide range of services to employers and their employees. The scope of these services varies depending on the targeted group – groups that fall within the provisions of the Provincial Collective Agreements or, the Excluded Group (i.e. management support staff), who fall outside of these agreements.
Provincial Collective Agreements
Provincial bargaining defines the scope of Benefit provisions to be delivered by HBT to covered health-care employees. The Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the Community Social Services Employer Association (CSSEA) negotiate the Benefit provisions within the collective agreements – not HBT.
In preparation for bargaining, HBT provides HEABC and other relevant stakeholders with Benefit information as well as pertinent data and statistics. At bargaining time, HBT provides further analysis, rates calculation and expert guidance to assist in the decision process.
Once the agreement is signed by all parties, HBT assumes responsibility for all aspects of the implementation process for the negotiated Benefit Plan. HBT’s responsibilities include:
- Re-designing the Benefit Plan in accordance with the newly negotiated Benefits
- Informing HBT’s Service Providers Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) and Great-West Life (GWL) about new terms, conditions and business rules to apply
- Producing new Benefit Plan packages for employers
- Updating data in HBT’s administrative systems
- Training HBT Benefit specialists
- Obtaining any clarification/interpretations necessary on collectively bargained Benefits and applicable business rules from HEABC
- Providing ongoing Benefit Plan administration support to employers
Excluded Groups
Once a Benefit Plan is selected, HBT manages all aspects of the implementation process as follows:
- Instructs PBC and GWL about terms, conditions and business rules to apply
- Produces Benefit Plan packages for all stakeholders
- Updates data in HBT’s administrative systems
- Provides ongoing Benefit Plan support to employers
To discuss or review your Benefit Plan design, call 604.736.2087 or toll free at 1.888.736.2087 and ask to talk with one of our Client Consultants in Benefit Administration.
Protecting personal information is one of HBT’s highest priorities. Personal information that is collected, used or disclosed by HBT is carefully administered and protected in accordance with all applicable privacy laws. View our Privacy Policy and Protecting Your Privacy brochure.
At HBT we are uniquely positioned to provide business intelligence and data on all aspects of Health Benefits. We can provide member employers with valuable information on Benefit Plan costs, trends and usage to support their decision making and financial analysis.
To discuss specific needs related to data, contact:
Shirley Quon
Benefits Design & Reporting Consultant
604.678.8782
Toll free: 1.888.736.2087