Notice Regarding COVID-19

Travel Information

This information was last reviewed and updated on July 5, 2022, at 10:45 a.m.

We offer comprehensive health and limited dental coverage for emergency expenses while you’re travelling outside of Canada. It’s important if you’re travelling to understand your Travel Emergencies benefits and how COVID-19 may impact them.

Currently, the Government of Canada has adjusted their COVID-19 travel advisory to Level 2: practice enhanced health precautions. ASEBP covered members (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) can still travel abroad and be covered by their Travel Emergency benefits for COVID-19. However, there are exceptions where COVID-19 related expenses will continue not being covered:

1. Specific travel requirements – ASEBP’s Travel Emergency benefits only apply when there’s an unforeseen medical emergency that causes immediate medical treatment to be required. If a country requires unvaccinated travellers to be tested for COVID-19 or quarantine prior to entering/leaving the country, these are considered foreseen expenses and are not covered. If travellers choose to depart prior to receiving their COVID-19 test results and their return home is delayed due to positive results of the initial test, expenses related to an extended stay such as accommodations will only be covered if hospitalization is required.
2. We’re aware that some other insurance providers may offer additional coverage for the aforementioned situations. As such, you’re able to research and purchase other travel insurance coverage for COVID-19, if you wish.

If you’re Travelling to Areas with Active Travel Health Advisory

If you choose to travel to a country, region, or city under a Government of Canada-issued Level 3 “Avoid Non-Essential Travel" or Level 4 "Avoid All Travel” advisory, also known as active travel health notices or formal travel advisories, there are certain limitations to ASEBP Travel Emergencies benefits. The advisory must be issued prior to your departure date for the limitations to be enforced.

If expenses related to a travel advisory are incurred in a country, region, or city for which the Government of Canada has issued a formal travel advisory, those expenses will not be covered by your Travel Emergencies benefits.

However, if the incident is unrelated to the travel advisory, then expenses would be covered. For example, if you’re in an area with a formal travel advisory regarding COVID-19 and experience a heart attack, your expenses related to the heart attack would be covered. Any expenses related to COVID-19, however, would not be eligible.

If you’re Travelling to Areas with no Active Travel Health Advisory

If there is no active Canadian advisory against non-essential travel, and you’re travelling to an area not under an active travel health advisory, become ill due to COVID-19, and require immediate medical treatment, eligible expenses will be covered. If, while you’re on vacation, a formal travel advisory is issued for the area where you are, your eligible expenses will continue to be covered for the duration of your stay.

ASEBP’s Travel Emergency benefits only apply when there’s an unforeseen medical emergency that causes immediate medical treatment to be required. If a country requires travellers to be tested for COVID-19 or quarantine prior to entering/leaving the country, these are considered foreseen expenses and are not covered. If travellers choose to depart prior to receiving their COVID-19 test results and their return home is delayed due to positive results of the initial test, expenses related to an extended stay such as accommodations will only be covered if hospitalization is required.

If you’re Currently Abroad

Please note that if you’re currently abroad, you do not need to return home within a specific number of days to retain your coverage. Your coverage will remain intact based on existing eligibility rules while you’re away.

Canadians who are currently abroad and trying to get home, or who are in need of emergency consular assistance, can reach Global Affairs Canada’s 24-7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa by phone at +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available) or email.

Visit the Travel Emergencies page for more information on your travel coverage.

Health Benefits & Spending Account Information

This information was last reviewed on July 5, 2022, at 10:45 a.m.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Your vaccination status does not impact your benefit coverage in any way. 

Eligible Health Spending Account (HSA) Expenses

When prescribed by a health care provider, COVID-19 diagnostic testing is an eligible expense and can be submitted to your HSA, if applicable. 

Additional fees charged by providers as a result of implementing COVID-19 safety measures are eligible HSA expenses. Such expenses might include facility fees for additional sanitation and surcharges related to the provision of masks, gloves, or other personal protective equipment (PPE). This means that if you are charged for PPE while receiving an approved service (e.g. during a dental appointment), your general health benefits won't cover the PPE expenses; however, you can submit them to your HSA. 

Eligible Wellness Spending Account (WSA) Expenses

Specific PPE items are eligible WSA expenses, including gloves; masks (any type); face guards/shields; and facility fees associated with COVID-19 health protocols (e.g. expenses for supplied masks and additional sterilization or sanitation measures). 

Extended Disability Benefits (EDB)

This information was last reviewed and updated on July 5, 2022, at 10:45 a.m.

Covered members may email, fax, or mail their completed Early Intervention Program/EDB applications to ASEBP. To ensure a more timely submission of your application information, please consider using the fillable versions of the forms and emailing or faxing the completed forms to ASEBP.

Covered members who are on sick leave or EDB should update their My ASEBP email addresses to a personal (non-work) email to prevent loss of access if workplaces terminate workplace email access.

Resources

This information was last reviewed and updated on December 1, 2022, at 11 a.m.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented economic uncertainty and financial distress for many people. We’ve collected some information below that can help support your wellness during this time.

Government

The Government of Alberta has funding and programs to support Albertans such as:

• Emergency Financial Assistance
• Income Support – What you get

You can find out if you’re eligible for financial aid in Alberta online.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Your EFAP is available 24/7/365 by calling 1-855-933-0103. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or could use someone to talk to, we encourage you to reach out.

Mental Health Resources

You’ve likely heard that “it takes a village to raise a child.” But it also takes a village to support you or your family through life’s ups-and-downs. As part of your village, we provide health benefits to help you reset and care for yourself.

Lean on your village for support, connection and hope, finding safe spaces to say, “I’m not okay.” Visit wellness.asebp.ca for more information.