What is the program about?

This is an exclusive program offering flexible health & dental benefits to member businesses under the BIABC. 

 

Who is eligible?

Any business that is a member under a BIA in British Columbia or Alberta is eligible for the program. 

 

Why should I get a benefits plan for my company?

Offering benefits is a great way to attract and retain quality and loyal employees. It is a 100% tax-deductible expense for your company, and received tax free by your employees.  This is a much more efficient way of compensating your team vs. a salary raise.

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What benefits are available for a 1 & 2 person company?

- Health Spending Account if you are an incorporated business owner

- Insured plan through our BIA partner Simply Benefits

- A Hybrid of both an insured plan & HSA 

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What benefits are available for a 3+ person company?

- Health Spending Account for you and your staff

- Insured plan through a variety of insurance companies w/ optional guarantees

- A hybrid of both an insured plan & HSA

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What is a Health Spending Account (HSA)?

An arrangement that allows you and your staff to claim any CRA approved health or dental expenses, and have them paid for by the company making them completely tax deductible.  The employer will allocate a certain $ amount for each person annually, and this flexible amount can be used for whatever expenses are chosen. 

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What is a traditional insured plan?

This is the traditional benefits program that is the most well known and utilized.  A set monthly payment is made to the insurance company, and a structured benefits plan is offered to employees.  Benefits often are comprised of prescription drugs, massage/chiro/physio, dental & vision. 

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Are there health questions required to qualify?

There are absolutely no health questions required to qualify for coverage. We are able to offer coverage to companies with as little as 1 member. 

 

How much does it cost?

Costs can vary depending on the plan design, as well as the number of people requiring single or family coverage.  Because of the magnitude of this program discounted rates have been negotiated for members. Click here to submit a quick form and we will get back to you asap with a quote for your company.

 

How quickly can I get a quote for my business?

Turnaround time will depend on the volume of BIA members inquiring & applying for coverage. We aim to get a quote within a week if possible. 

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How is this program different than others?

This program was designed with small businesses in mind. It has been designed exclusively for BIA members, and includes a unique insured component as well as a flexible health/wellness spending account component to suit the needs of all team members. 

 

Will our rates increase next year if we have high claims?

We have designed this program to remain as stable as possible to make budgeting easy from year to year. We have negotiated low administration fees so more money goes towards paying your claims, and not the insurance company's expenses. We have also partnered with some of the top insurance companies to offer rate caps on renewals, allowing for consistency and easy budgeting from year to year.

 

How does this program compare to other small business benefits programs (ie. Chamber)?

This program has very competitive pricing and is 100% digital, unlike anything else in the market currently. To see what is most suitable for your company, please contact us for a detailed evaluation. We may be able to offer you better benefits at a lower cost.

 

We already have a benefits plan in place for our company. Can we switch?

Absolutely!  There is normally a month’s notice required for your current carrier, and typically no cancellation fees.  Within a month, we can have you up and running on your new BIA Benefit plan!

 

How does this program help fund events and initiatives within our BIA and the BIABC?

BIAs are non-profit organizations who rely on continuous funding to carry out ongoing plans for their communities. The BIAs that participate in this program are supported via sponsorship dollars for initiatives that benefit all members and their communities.

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