Health and Dental

Competitive member rates

HBTF’s unique plan offers comprehensive coverage at group-discounted rates for members. By enrolling in the HBTF plan, you will join over 5,000 physicians and benefit from collective purchasing power.

Exclusive plan design

The plan is tailored for physicians and offers high-level maximums and comprehensive benefits as compared to industry offerings for physicians' clinics. Over the years, Doctors of BC has added new features and increased maximums to ensure you’re well protected.

HBTF allows you to continue coverage throughout your lifetime, even if you retire. Other employer plans typically terminate coverage at age 65.

Portability

HBTF provides coverage as long as you live in Canada, and you remain a Doctors of BC member. A nominal membership fee is charged if you are out-of-province.

Association support

Doctors of BC is the leading insurance provider for doctors in the province and we are uniquely not-for-profit. Our commitment to members is reflected in many ways.

• An Insurance Committee, comprised of doctors like yourself, helps oversee the management of the plans to ensure they are protecting members well.
• A team of non-commissioned, licensed advisors are available to provide unbiased and expert advice.
• Our insurer provides a dedicated health and dental claims support line exclusively for members.

Coverage type

Select either single, couple, or family coverage (more than one dependant).

Insured plan

You can receive reimbursements either at the point of purchase—typically for dental, drug, and some paramedical services—or through a simple online receipt submission process. The plan covers expenses related to routine health care, regular dental care, and costs associated with illnesses and accidents that are not covered by your provincial or territorial health insurance.

Under the Standard Plan, coverage continues if you remain a Doctors of BC member, and premiums continue to be paid. Coverage will transition to the overage 70 plan at age 70. 

Included features

Doctors of BC’s HBTF plan covers the following for each enrollee under age 70 (including spouse and dependents):

Health coverage

Annual $50 single or $100 family deductible applies.

• 80% of the cost for prescription drugs
• 80% of the cost of paramedical services up to an annual maximum of:
  • $1,000 combined maximum, up to $500 per specialty, for massage therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and naturopaths
  • $1,000 for psychologists or social workers
  • $1,000 for speech therapists
• 80% of the cost for ambulance and semi-private hospital accommodation.
• 80% of eye exams
• 80% of medical services and equipment such as:
  • orthotics
  • private duty nursing
  • assisted care
  • cardiac rehabilitation
  • accidental dental
  • hearing aids
  • diabetic supplies
• 100% of emergency medical travel coverage for trips of up to 60 days for you and your dependents.

Dental coverage

Annual $50 single or $100 family deductible applies.

• Basic and major
  • 80% basic dental (e.g., routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, restorations, repair, endodontics, periodontics)
  • 60% major dental (e.g., crowns, bridges, dentures, inlays, onlays)
  • Annual combined maximum of $2,000 per each enrollee
• Orthodontic
  • 50% orthodontic coverage for dependent children under age 19
  • Lifetime maximum of $2,000 per eligible dependent child

*The above list is an overview, and benefits may have additional eligibility parameters. Benefits change for enrollees age 70 and over. Refer to the benefits booklet for enrollees under age 70 for details.

Staff Life insurance

If a staff member dies, their named beneficiary(ies) will receive a lump-sum tax-free benefit of the preselected amount of $20,000 or $50,000.

Staff Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance

If a staff member dies directly due to an accident, their named beneficiary(ies) will receive a lump-sum tax-free benefit of the preselected amount of $20,000 or $50,000. This coverage also provides benefits for the loss of, or use, of a portion of the body due to accidental injury.

Staff Long-Term Disability insurance

If a staff member is totally disabled and unable to work due to accident or illness, they will receive a taxable benefit of a preselected amount of $1,000 - $2,500 per month, until the earlier of their return to work or reaching the age of 65. Staff must provide evidence of insurability for amounts greater than $1,000.

Optional features

Cost-Plus

This optional feature can be added at no cost, allowing you to self-insure eligible health and dental expenses not covered by the base plan. You can use these payments as a tax deduction for your professional business.

If you have family coverage and 3 or more dependents (spouse and children, excluding yourself) you can elect the Cost-Plus feature. Cost-Plus allows eligible expenses not covered under the extended health and dental plan to be tax-deducted by your business, creating significant tax savings.

There is no fee to add or maintain Cost-Plus on your plan. Claims will incur an administration fee of 7% of the eligible claim amount, with a minimum charge of $25 and a maximum charge of $250 per claim. Discuss with your accountant if Cost-Plus will be of value to you before you add the feature to your plan.

Enrollees and dependents

Physician members and their staff can enrol themselves and their dependents. Dependents include your legal or common-law spouse and unmarried children under the age of 22. Children can be covered until they reach age 25 if they are full-time students. Children who are dependents due to a physical or mental disorder may enrol without age restrictions upon approval by the insurer.

Physician enrolment

Physicians can enrol in the plan if they are:

• A member of Doctors of BC.
• Under the age of 65.
• Residing in Canada.

Evidence of insurability through a written questionnaire may be required if you are a Late Applicant and do not qualify under a Special Offer (listed below) for new in practice, new members, or members involuntarily losing other coverage.

Medical Office staff enrolment

Medical Office staff can/must be enrolled in the plan if they are:

• Employed in a medical office that is participating in this plan.
• Under the age of 65.
• Actively working in the office at least 20 hours per week (regularly).

Staff must be enrolled within 3 months of employment and must complete a three-month waiting period.

Evidence of insurability through a written questionnaire may be required if the sponsoring physician is considered a Late Applicant and does not qualify under a special offer (listed below) for new in practice, new members, or members involuntarily losing other coverage. If the HBTF plan is already active and the staff member applies more than three months after employment, they are considered a late applicant and evidence of insurability is required.

Special offers

All members enrolling through special offers must meet eligibility guidelines.

New in practice: If you are completing residency or fellowship, you can enrol within 90 days of your training completion without providing evidence of insurability. Additionally, you'll receive a 50% discount on your premium for the first 12 months.

New member: If you are a first-time member of Doctors of BC, you can enrol within 90 days without providing evidence of insurability.

Members losing other coverage: If you have involuntarily lost your health and dental coverage with another insurer, you can enrol within 90 days without providing evidence of insurability. Coverage is backdated to the first of the following month of coverage loss.

Quote and rate

Use the rate sheet to calculate your cost.

Application process

• Enrolment Package - Physicians (with staff)
• Enrolment Package - Physicians (no staff)
• Enrolment Package - Medical staff (use if enrolling MOA(s) to an existing plan or in addition to an initial physician enrolment package)

Late applicants (see Eligibility) and Medical Office Employees applying for Long-Term Disability coverage exceeding $1,000 per month will be required to complete an Evidence of Insurability form. After Canada Life receives the completed form, it may take 4 to 6 weeks to send you written notification regarding the status of your application. Coverage is subject to approval by Canada Life.

Book a free consultation

A licensed, non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance advisor can assess your situation and give you personalized recommendations and quotes. Contact an advisor.

Learn more

• HBTF plan brochure
• HBTF standard plan benefits booklet for doctors under age 70
• HBTF standard plan benefits booklet for doctors age 70 and over and doctors age 55 and over transferring from the Core Plus plan
• HBTF standard plan benefits booklet for medical office staff
• What is the optional Cost Plus feature, and what are its tax implications?
• What should my office know about administering this plan?

See Make a Claim for step-by-step instructions.