Seniors being asked to provide previously unobtained proof of age for Blue Cross
By GILLIAN SLADE on February 6, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com
The provincial government says at the beginning of the year there were about 10,000 Albertans receiving Blue Cross coverage without a proof of age on file.
“As of January 2020, there were approximately 10,000 individuals in the Coverage for Seniors plan over the age of 65 who hadn’t yet provided the required proof-of-age materials,” said a spokesperson for Alberta Health.
The general explanation for this is that some seniors had been receiving benefits as a dependent of another senior.
“In many cases, an individual turned 65, provided proof of age, joined the Coverage for Seniors plan and his or her family members automatically received coverage as well, even if they had not yet provided their proof of age,” the spokesperson said.
About 650,000 are receiving benefits and their proof of age is documented, the spokesperson confirmed.
A local 85-year-old resident has provided the News with a copy of a letter he received from Alberta Health asking him to provide proof of age or risk losing Blue Cross coverage on March 1.
“Our records show that you may have turned 65. However, we do not have proof of your age on file.”
Towards the end of the letter it continues:
“If you wish to continue receiving benefits under the Coverage for Seniors program on March 1, 2020, please return this letter with a copy of your proof of age document as soon as possible.”
The News has not been able to get a clear answer as to why people who have not provided proof of age could have been getting benefits for 20 years, as is the case of the local resident. The age of dependents does not appear to send an automatic signal when they turn 65 that they need to supply proof of age. They appear to remain as dependents indefinitely.
Alberta Health’s spokesperson notes that it is only seniors who “haven’t yet provided their proof of age to provide these materials” that are being asked for this.
“We recognize this may be an inconvenience for some people. That’s why we are taking the most effective and simplest approach possible. Alberta Health notified seniors months in advance, and will provide additional reminders as needed.
“If someone doesn’t want to use the mail, they can also bring their documents to an Alberta registry office that performs health registration services. Anyone with questions can contact Blue Cross or the Alberta Health Care Insurance Program Office.”
The ministry insists that the apparent sudden need to have proof of age documents has nothing to do with any new system that has recently been put in place.
The spokesperson wants to assure those affected that this is not an attempt to reject people who qualify but may have difficulty responding to this request.
“This sort of confirmation is done regularly for any plan that has specific age or other requirements. It’s a best practice, and Albertans expect us to follow best practices. Confirming proof-of-age for those who haven’t yet provided the proper identification helps prevent fraudulent use of government programs. It helps ensure that the seniors drug plan is being used by actual seniors.”
Alberta Health is providing multiple reminders and more than one way for people to provide the necessary documents, the spokesperson said.
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