Quarterly Broker updates

DECEMBER 2023

As the snow starts to settle and the new year approaches, we want to wish you and your family the best this holiday season!

This edition offers information on support for culturally grounded healing for Indigenous members, continuing education and a warm welcome to our latest team member at Saskatchewan Blue Cross.

Plus, if you're looking for a fabulous local charity to support, be sure to check out our initiative with Fill the Plate.

Be sure to also complete a short survey at the end of this newsletter. See you in the new year!

This holiday season, in the spirit of giving, Saskatchewan Blue Cross has chosen to make a $10,000 contribution to Food Banks of Saskatchewan. Support for this initiative helps Food Banks of Saskatchewan meet the increased demand for their services at this time of year – and helps ensure that every family has food on the table this holiday season.



With grateful hearts, we thank you for your continued business which enables us to support important initiatives that support whole health and wellness in our province. From our team at Saskatchewan Blue Cross to yours, we wish you a healthy and happy holiday season.

Supporting First Nations and Indigenous employees through cultural healing

Saskatchewan Blue Cross in partnership with Homewood Health is deeply committed to serving Aboriginal peoples in Canada. We are dedicated to providing specialized support to First Nations and Indigenous members through our culturally grounded Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Accessible to all eligible employees, this program offers the option to incorporate Elders and Traditional Healers, to provide culturally grounded counseling and support within their communities. 

How it works?

This program is customized to reflect regional, cultural, and organizational preferences. Homewood Health partners with our valued members to engage with the appropriate agencies at the community level to identify culturally suitable Elders and Traditional Healers. Our role is one of facilitation, ensuring cultural appropriateness is upheld throughout the process. 

• Accessing Cultural Supports: To access these services, employees can call the Homewood Health Employee Family Assistance Program at 1-800-663-1142 and request to receive support from an Elder, Healer or Knowledge Keeper. 

• Identifying Elders and Healers: Homewood maintains a growing, curated list of approved Elders and Healers within communities across Canada. Employees have the option to choose from their own community or, they may choose Homewood to facilitate a connection. 

• Session Initiation: During the intake period, employees and Elders review and sign consent forms. Employees can have up to four sessions per year with an Elder, with session duration determined collaboratively.

We recognize the profound significance of cultural traditions and healing practices within Indigenous communities, and our unique program is thoughtfully tailored to honor and respect these traditions. 

To learn more about our comprehensive EFAP benefits with Homewood, including Supporting First Nations and Indigenous Employees through Cultural Healing visit your Broker Learning Centre to complete the Cultivating Workplace Well-being course (upon completion of this course, learners will receive 2 Continuing Education credits.)

Click below to log in to the Broker Learning Centre or request access!

If you or a Broker in your office does not have login information for the Broker Learning Centre, please email brokers@sk.bluecross.ca to request yours now.

If you have any questions about EFAP, Elder Healers and Knowledge Keepers, please contact your Account Executive. 

Connecting Health Literacy and Wellness: an Saskatchewan Blue Cross and IBAS education series

Join Saskatchewan Blue Cross for an insightful Continuing Education (CE) accredited webinar Connecting Health Literacy and Wellness, specifically designed for insurance brokers.

In this engaging session, our expert speakers and seasoned product trainers, Larissa Bayet and Amanda Senga, will delve into the critical intersection of health literacy, wellness, and insurance.

Discover the value proposition of insurance brokers, debunk common insurance myths, explore emotional intelligence and leadership skills, and understand how brokers support individuals on their holistic health journey.

Webinar details:

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023

Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual

What's in it for you?

Participating in the webinar grants you 1.5 Continuing Education (CE) credit. It's an opportunity to enhance your expertise while engaging with the best in the industry. To ensure your CE credit eligibility, please ensure you individually register for the event.

Once your register using the link below, you'll receive an email with login details for the event. We will send you a friendly reminder morning of the event, to ensure you don't miss out!

We eagerly await your presence at this exclusive webinar. Together, let's elevate our understanding, expertise, and industry connections.

*Note: If you're already an IBAS member, you can register for free. Please use your member details to login, otherwise sign up to become a member. 

Catch up on Saskatchewan Blue Cross activities in your Community!

🤝 Saskatchewan Blue Cross partners with Seniors Centre Without Walls

🎄 Saskatchewan Blue Cross supports Food Banks of Saskatchewan during the holiday season

🎓 Saskatchewan Blue Cross partners with Foundations & Learning Skills Saskatchewan to support Health Literacy

💉 Saskatchewan Blue Cross supports Lung Saskatchewan Long Term COVID Project

💛 Saskatchewan Blue Cross partners with Saskatoon Council on Aging to launch Nav-CARE

🏫 Embracing Community, Supporting Health Literacy, Committed to Reconciliation

📞 Saskatchewan Blue Cross Supports Vital Services in Our Communities

❤️Saskatchewan Blue Cross Supports Saskatoon Heart Safe - A Program with Heart

Fill the Plate this holiday season!

Saskatchewan Blue Cross is excited to take part in the Fill the Plate campaign at Friendship Inn in Saskatoon this holiday season.

Our Team Blue will be serving up breakfast and lunch to ensure that no one goes hungry this holiday season.

Friendship Inn serves over 1000 meals every day. Just $6 fills one plate for someone in our community.

Take part and make a difference by donating today.

Meet our latest Broker Support team member

At Saskatchewan Blue Cross, we strive to provide the tools and resources to help aid in your success.

We’re thrilled to introduce the latest member of our Broker Support Team, Mark Perschon, our new Manager, Group Benefits Sales.

Mark has worn many hats in the industry, from Broker to Disability Case Manager. He brings over 20 years of exceptional service with Group Benefits sales experience and industry insight. 

Contact your Broker team

Email brokers@sk.bluecross.ca

Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In-person service is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saskatchewan Blue Cross

516 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK  S7K 2C5  Canada

®/™ Saskatchewan Blue Cross and Blue News are trade-marks of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, used under licence by Medical Services Incorporated, an independent licensee. *Trade-mark of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans. †Trade-mark of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.