History & Milestones

1938

The Manitoba Hospital Services Association (the first organization to operate as Manitoba Blue Cross), a non-profit, hospital-sponsored association, starts offering hospital benefits on a prepaid basis.

1958

The federal government introduces a national hospital care program. Manitoba Blue Cross is chosen to administer it on the government's behalf in Manitoba.

1959

The government plan doesn't cover semi-private hospital rooms, so the Manitoba Medical Service (M.M.S.) is asked to provide this benefit. (The M.M.S. was a group of medical professionals who provided medical services on a non-profit basis). To administer this new plan, the M.M.S. establishes the United Health Insurance Corporation Limited; the origin of today's Manitoba Blue Cross.

1970

Medicare is introduced and the M.M.S. is dissolved. United Health Insurance Corporation continues to offer supplementary health benefits.

1973

The first employer group dental plan is introduced.

1974

By a special act of the legislature, United Health Insurance Corporation becomes United Health Services Corporation and is qualified to use the Blue Cross name and trademark.

1975

A Student Accident Plan and the first Travel Health Plan of its kind for Blue Cross in Canada are introduced by Manitoba Blue Cross.

1982

Manitoba Blue Cross introduces the "Plus Plan", covering dental, vision and extended health benefits for individual customers.

1987

Manitoba Blue Cross creates the first Employee Assistance Plan ever offered by a Canadian Blue Cross organization.

1992

Manitoba Blue Cross officially launches Blue Cross Life products underwritten by Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada. Blue Cross can now offer a total benefits package.

1994

Two new individual products are introduced: the GenX Plan - a Health and Dental Plan geared to the needs of the under-30 customer, and an Annual Travel Plan.

An agreement is struck with Manitoba Health which allows Manitoba Blue Cross to be the first payer of out-of-province claims. This dramatically reduces reimbursement waiting time for our individual customers.

1996

The Health Spending Account is introduced. This Plan can be used as an alternative to a Flexible Benefit Program or as a supplement to an existing Employee Benefit Plan.

A Disability Management Program is developed as a service for group clients with Weekly Indemnity and Long Term Disability Insurance.

A new individual product is introduced — the Visitor Health Plan, providing health and accidental death and dismemberment coverage to visitors to Manitoba from the United States and abroad.

1997

Two new individual life products are introduced, Guaranteed Issue and Easy Access, providing term life insurance coverage for individuals. Both products are underwritten by Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada.

1998

BlueNet is introduced. This online, real time prescription drug network captures claims directly from the provider and adjudicates the claim immediately for the customer.

1999

Manitoba Blue Cross celebrates 25 years of service to Manitobans as a Blue Cross Plan doing business under the Blue Cross name and mark. New individual deluxe products, Medi-Blue Deluxe and Plus Plan Deluxe, which include expanded coverage and more flexibility with age banded rates, are offered in September 1999.

2000

Manitoba Blue Cross successfully enters the new millennium with no Year 2000 technological failures. BlueNet is expanded to include the collection of Vision Care claims on an online, real time basis.

Manitoba Blue Cross launches an Internet site. The site provides access to generic product information as well as special features for Plan Administrators and Agents. The site continues to be enhanced.

In the Fall of 2000, Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada introduces Life Link — Critical Conditions, which is written on a yearly renewal basis. The benefit is payable to the covered employee, spouse or dependent child in the event of a severe critical condition or illness.

2004

LTD Top-Up Insurance provides an extra layer of protection in the case of a catastrophic impairment and can be used in whatever way best suits the customer's personal situation. The money provided by Top-Up could be used for renovations to improve access to the customer's home, for special needs as they and their family adjust to the changes in lifestyle or simply to increase the family's savings account as a hedge against future needs. Top-Up is a monthly benefit, not a one-time lump sum, so customers can count on its regular assistance in their day to day lives. This product, provided by Blue Cross Life, is introduced in 2004.

2005

In the fall of 2005, @live, a health risk assessment tool, is introduced. This product is sold to employer groups for employees to get an overall picture of their current health and how lifestyle choices are having an impact on general well-being. By using this on-line web-based tool, customers can become aware of their risk of developing chronic disease and provided with the tools and strategies needed to take charge of their health. @live provides immediate feedback, presented with personal health priorities that are easy to understand, practical and motivational. The employer receives reports identifying results of the entire company (not any particular employee results) with the hope that this will assist them in determining the best places to invest in employee wellness. In the years to come we will continue to add wellness components to address the needs of the marketplace.

2006

In fall of 2006, Manitoba Blue Cross moved to its new home at 599 Empress Street, a historic Modernist building. The 80,000 square foot building was completely renovated and has an open floor plan design allowing people to see throughout the entire building, accentuating a sense of well being. Employees sitting at their desks could see the sun rising on one side of the building and setting on the other.

Present

Manitoba Blue Cross continues to fill the gap between what government health plans provide and what Manitobans need and want. Blue Cross continues to monitor, improve and introduce services and products for group clients and individual customers.