Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada and Pacific Blue Cross announced that they will form an alliance “to bring together local service and insight, with national expertise and scale” for the benefit of British Columbians.

They say that this nationally aligned Blue Cross alliance will help Pacific Blue Cross enhance its capabilities in underwriting, pricing, reserving, actuarial and medical underwriting. This will allow “Pacific Blue Cross to invest in more work and wellness solutions to improve health and wellbeing for British Columbians,” says Pacific Blue Cross, which will remain the primary contact for all sales, service and claims.

Pacific Blue Cross will continue to offer the products sold under its policies as a distributor for Blue Cross Life. Types of policies that are subject to the transaction are Group (Basic & Optional Life; Dependent Life; Accidental Death & Dismemberment; Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment; Critical Illness; Long Term Disability; Short Term Disability) and Individual (Life; Accidental Death & Dismemberment; Critical Illness). Coverage for existing policyholders will continue within the current plan design.

"Pacific Blue Cross is excited to bring the benefits of a national carrier to our local expertise," said John Crawford, President & CEO, Pacific Blue Cross. "This alliance with Blue Cross Life is a foundational building block towards improving health and wellbeing for British Columbians. We have created the ability to bring on new business with our trusted advisors while improving our value proposition to our clients and members."

The alliance is subject to regulatory approval.