note_add

How to submit an HSA claim

For more information about your health spending account (HSA) plan, log in to your mybluecross® online account. Click View coverage and select Health Spending Account. Here you can confirm:

  • available coverage, including credits accrued and used
  • payment type (automatic or on request)
  • minimum payment amount
  • benefit period
  • claim limitation period (This is the grace period following the benefit year. Claims must be requested and received within this time frame to be eligible for payment from that benefit year’s credits.)

‍Automatic claim payment plan: If you have an automatic claim payment plan, you do not need to request reimbursement. Manitoba Blue Cross will automatically reimburse you for remaining unpaid balances from a previously submitted health or dental claim or when you reach your HSA’s minimum payment amount.

‍On-request claim payment plan: If you have an on-request claim payment plan, you can request reimbursement for unpaid balances of a health or dental claim when prompted during the claim submission process. You can also request reimbursement for outstanding balances from previously submitted health or dental claims using the Request an HSA payment feature in your online mybluecross account.

For eligible expenses not covered under your core health and dental plan, download a Health Spending Account claim form and submit the form along with any necessary medical receipts and, if applicable, an explanation of benefits (EOB) to Manitoba Blue Cross.

Note: For both automatic and on-request plans, an exception to payment is if you have coverage with another carrier (e.g., spousal plan) and have filed this information with Manitoba Blue Cross. In this case, your HSA credits will not be applied until you have first submitted your claim through the other carrier for payment on any remaining eligible balances. If there is still a balance following this, submit an HSA claim to Manitoba Blue Cross and be sure to include the Explanation of Benefits (EOB). If both plans are with Manitoba Blue Cross, we will automatically coordinate without any action required on your part.

Claim submission

If you have an on-request HSA plan, you can request that your HSA covers any remaining balances when you submit a new health and dental claim. Just submit a claim online through your mybluecross online account.

Within mybluecross, you can also request an HSA payment for previously submitted claims by clicking “HSA Request” under Claims in the menu.

You can also download a Health Spending Account claim form and submit the form along with any necessary medical receipts and, if applicable, an explanation of benefits (EOB) to Manitoba Blue Cross:

  • by mail
  • through our on-site, 24-hour drop box
  • in person at our Customer Service Centre
  • by fax

For those with an automatic HSA plan, Manitoba Blue Cross will issue payment automatically from unpaid balances on previously submitted health and dental claims or when you reach the minimum payment amount. There is no need for you to submit an HSA claim. (The exception is if you have coverage with another carrier as you will have to provide the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) before any remaining balances can be paid. You can do this through your mybluecross account by clicking “HSA coordination” under Claims.

When will I receive my HSA claim payments?

All HSA claim payments are subject to your plan’s minimum payment threshold, which must be reached before payment will be issued. If the threshold is not met, Manitoba Blue Cross will pay eligible expenses at the end of your claim limitation period.

‍When will my HSA credits expire?

For details on your plan’s specific claim limitation period and to see if you have a claim- or credits-carry-forward plan, visit your mybluecross online account. Click View coverage and select Health Spending Account. (If the carry forward field is blank, neither carry-forward plans apply.)

If your claims carry forward: If your eligible expenses in any year are more than the credits you have in your HSA, the excess will be carried forward into the next benefit year. (Expenses cannot be carried forward more than one benefit year.)

For example, if your credits do not carry forward and your plan benefit year is January to December with a claim limitation period of one month, you have until the end of January in the new benefit year to submit a claim towards your HSA.

If your credits carry forward: If you have a credits-carry-forward plan, any credits remaining at the end of your benefit year will be eligible for use in the next benefit year. (Credits cannot be carried forward more than one benefit year.) To make use of your annual credits, eligible expenses from the previous benefit year must be claimed before the end of the claim limitation period in the new benefit year, with carry-forward credits being used first (as noted in your mybluecross account).

If your claims or credits cannot be carried forward: If you do not have a carry-forward plan, claims for any unused HSA credits at the end of the policy year must be submitted within the claim limitation period in the new benefit year. Any prior year’s credits remaining after this claim limitation period cannot be used.

For example, if your credits do not carry forward and your plan benefit year is January to December with a claim limitation period of one month, you have until the end of January in the new benefit year to submit a claim towards your HSA.

Claims will remain unpaid if there are no available credits remaining at the end of the benefit year.

Coordination of benefits

In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, a health spending account (HSA) must be the last payer after government, employer, individual, student and spousal plans. If you have more than one health benefits plan, all claims must be submitted through all carriers first before an HSA claim can be made.

If your other benefits plan is also with Manitoba Blue Cross, we will automatically coordinate your family’s claims on an ongoing basis, provided you have notified us that you have more than one Manitoba Blue Cross plan.

If your other benefits plan is with another carrier, you must submit the claim to that carrier first, and then provide Manitoba Blue Cross with the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement issued by that carrier when submitting an HSA claim.

For more information about your HSA coverage, please visit your mybluecross online account or contact us.