Don't Let Your Health Benefits Expire: A Guide to Using Your Extended Health Coverage
Use your health benefits before they expires soon at the end 2025
As the year draws to a close, many Canadians face a common dilemma: a substantial amount of unused extended health benefits are about to expire. These are often "use it or lose it" benefits, meaning that any unclaimed coverage resets with the new calendar year, and you forfeit the money you've already paid in premiums or earned as part of your compensation.
According to some estimates, Canadians leave millions of dollars in eligible benefits on the table annually. Don't let your hard-earned coverage go to waste!
What are "Extended Health" Benefits?
These benefits cover services provided by healthcare professionals beyond what is typically provided by your provincial health plan (like OHIP in Ontario). They are a key part of most workplace benefits packages and are designed to help you stay healthy and productive.
Common types of paramedical coverage include:
- Chiropractic treatments
- Massage therapy (from a Registered Massage Therapist)
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Psychological services (including clinical counsellors and social workers)
- Custom Orthotics
- Compression Stockings
- Medical Equipments like TENS machine, Theraband, K-Tape etc
Why Use Your Benefits Now?
- Financial Savings: You have already paid for this coverage. Not using it is essentially like paying for a service and then not showing up.
- Preventive Care: Many paramedical services are preventative. A visit to a chiropractor or physiotherapist now might prevent a more serious, costly issue later.
- Maximize Your Annual Maximums: Most plans have an annual maximum for each type of service that resets every year, typically on January 1st. Scheduling appointments before the end of the year allows you to utilize this year's coverage and then start fresh with a new maximum next year
How to Check Your Coverage and Act
The first step is knowing exactly what you have available.
- Review your benefits booklet: Your employer's human resources representative can provide you with the specifics of your plan, including your coverage limits and the exact date your benefits expire.
- Check your insurer's online portal: Most major insurers, like Manulife or Canada Life, offer secure online portals or mobile apps where you can check your remaining balances and claim history instantly.
- Contact your provider: If you cannot find your details online, call your insurance provider's customer service number. They are there to help you understand your coverage.
Once you know what you have, be proactive:
- Schedule appointments: Book appointments with our practitioners as soon as possible. Clinics often get busy towards the end of the year as people rush to use their benefits.
- Submit outstanding claims: Ensure all your claims for services already received are submitted before the plan's "run-out" deadline, which is the final date for submitting expenses incurred during the current plan year
We are open 7 days a week and ready to accomodate last minute rush to help our valuable clients to use their benefits
Don't leave money on the table. Make the most of the benefits you've earned and prioritize your well-being before time runs out!
