You may enrol your Eligible Dependents in the BCPSEA Benefits Program for your District.

If you are enroling an Eligible Dependent, you must enter the Dependent(s)’ names on the BCPSEA Benefits Enrolment form (for new hires) or the BCPSEA Benefits Change form (if adding or changing Dependents).

The following individuals are considered Eligible Dependents:

Spouse:
The person legally married to the Employee or a person of the opposite or same sex who has been residing with the Employee in a common-law relationship for at least 1 year and who is publicly represented as the Employee’s spouse.

You can only enrol one spouse on the BCPSEA Benefits Program at a time:

  • A legal spouse
  • An estranged spouse (separated)
  • An ex-spouse (divorced)
  • A common-law spouse (opposite or same sex)

Coverage may not be continued for an ex-spouse without a separation agreement or court order that states the member must continue coverage for the ex-spouse under the “employer sponsored plan.”

You will be required to sign the Common Law Spouse Declaration form to enrol a common-law spouse.

Dependent Child(ren):

For Extended Health and Dental coverage with Pacific Blue Cross (PBC), see definition of Dependent Child(ren).

For Child Optional Life: Up to age 21, or 25 if in full-time attendance at school, to any age for handicapped children. A child’s coverage is effective from birth. If the child is institutionalized, the benefit will not be effective until the child ceases to be confined.

Dependent Children may include:

Handicapped Child:

A mentally or physically handicapped Dependent Child may be covered to any age provided the child is incapable of self-sustaining employment and is wholly dependent upon you or your Spouse for support and maintenance.

If you are enroling a Handicapped Child as a dependent the following steps must be taken:

  • You should indicate on BCPSEA Benefits Enrolment form any applicable information regarding the child’s handicapped status.
  • Insurer(s) may require additional information at a later date to verify the child’s status. If required, the Insurer(s) will request the additional information directly from the Employee.
  • You should contact your Benefits Administrator if your Dependent Child becomes handicapped at a later date.
  • Please note, for a disabled Dependent Child to obtain coverage under your District’s plan, they should be considered disabled while covered as a dependent until reaching the minimum age of termination or until the end of their status as a student at a recognized educational institute. Coverage for a disabled dependent cannot be obtained, once their initial coverage has been terminated from your District’s plan.

Step child / Adopted child:
If you are enroling a Step/Adopted Child as a Dependent, the following steps must be taken:

  • You must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form to add a legally adopted child as a dependent, and provide the form to the Benefits Administrator.
  • The form must include date of adoption, if other than date of birth
  • Step children must be living with and/or legally adopted by you to be considered Eligible Dependents.
  • Coverage will be effective on the effective date of the change.
  • If Family Status has changed (ie. from Couple to Family), appropriate premium adjustments (if applicable) will be effective the first of the month coincident with or next following date of change.

Legal wards:

If you are enroling a Legal Ward as a Dependent Child, the following steps must be taken:

  • You must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form to add a legal ward as a Dependent Child, and provide that form to the Benefits Administrator
  • You must provide a copy of the court document. Please note that a notarized statement is not sufficient.
  • Coverage will be effective on the effective date of the change.
  • If Family Status has changed (ie. from Couple to Family), appropriate premium adjustments (if applicable) will be effective the 1st of the month coincident with or next following date of change.

Note: Grandchildren can be Eligible Dependents only if legally adopted by, or legal wards of the Employee.

Dependents that are enrolled as Late Applicants:

If you apply for coverage for your Dependents later than 4 months (for Extended Health and Dental) and 31 days (for Dependent Life) following their initial eligibility date, the Dependent(s) will be considered a Late Applicant(s).

For Dependent Life (if applicable) and Extended Health:

If your Dependent(s) is/are considered a Late Applicant they must provide satisfactory medical evidence of insurability to the Provider prior to becoming eligible for coverage. To become eligible for coverage the following steps must be taken:

  • You must complete the Evidence of Insurability form and submit this form to the Insurer. For Dental, please review the information below to determine if you are required to complete the Evidence of Insurability form. Please ensure you choose the correct form from the Forms page for the benefit you are applying for as the forms differ by insurer.
  • The Insurer will advise you of approval and provide a copy of this approval to the Benefits Administrator.

Your coverage commences when formal written approval is received from the Insurer(s). Retroactive premiums to the effective date of coverage may be required.

For Dental:

If your dependent(s) is/are considered a late applicant, the effective date of coverage will be based on whether your district requires a dental declaration submitted for approval or if there is a dollar amount restriction for the first year of coverage (i.e. $100/$200/$250 maximum in the first year). Your District Benefits Administrator will advise you which dental late applicant rules apply to your plan. Based on these options, the following steps must be taken for the dependent(s) to become eligible for coverage:

  • For school districts that require a dental declaration to be submitted, the district administrator will send the declaration as well as a copy of the BCPSEA enrolment form to Enrollment@pac.bluecross.ca. The provider will send the school district a letter stating whether your dependent(s) have been approved or denied coverage.
  • If approved, the effective date of coverage will be the 1st of the month following approval by the provider.
  • For school  districts that have a dollar amount late applicant restriction for the first year of coverage, the district administrator will send a copy of the BCPSEA enrolment form to the provider at Enrollment@pac.bluecross.ca.
  • The effective date of coverage will be the date indicated by the benefits administrator on the enrolment form.