Everyone has different goals for how a Wellness Plan can support Plan Member health and wellbeing. The following Plan Designs are examples of standard Blendable offerings.
Of course, like all our benefits, they can be customized to fit your needs.
Comprehensive Wellness Plan
The comprehensive Wellness Spending Account allows for reimbursement of a wide variety of expenses related to health and wellness of the Plan Member and their family, as well as personal and professional development.
Key exclusions include anything that is related to another business or is an income-generating activity (other than those expenses in the professional development category).
Health Support
Health Support is a Wellness category that helps Members take care of their mental and physical health. This category is intended to be broad and include CRA eligible health and dental expenses (based on METC eligibility) along with wellness supports like alternative health therapies, preventative treatments and fitness and recreation activities.
If the expense is tied to maintaining, improving or supporting health and wellness (and isn’t work or income-related), it will generally fall under this category.
- Alternative wellness services (eg. reiki, rolfing, touch therapy and light therapy)
- Parental supports (e.g. maternity/paternity services, pre-natal classes)
- Counselling, coaching, and programs (e.g. health coaching, nutrition counselling, tobacco cessation programs, stress management programs, or weight loss programs)
- Vaccinations
- Over the counter medication (licensed for sale as medication)
- Natural health products (licensed for sale as supplements, vitamins, and minerals)
- Sport, fitness, and recreation participation fees, memberships, or passes, including:
- Gym or fitness club memberships
- Personal training or coaching
- Group exercise class fees
- Sport, fitness, and recreation equipment or trackers
- Includes clothing and footwear
- Includes both purchased and rented equipment
Professional Development
Professional Development is a Wellness category that helps Members with growing their skillset and staying current in their careers. These expenses are tied to maintaining professional credentials and registrations, building work-place skills and learning.
Things like courses, workshops and conferences, and costs associated with participating in these activities will be considered eligible. The key is that the activity helps a Member with developing or maintaining career related skills.
- Courses, classes, conferences, and seminar fees, including:
- Those for skill enhancement
- Certificate programs relevant to a career or industry
- Continuing education to maintain a license or certification
- Workshops and bootcamps to improve professional skills
- Industry events
- Professional association events
- Networking or skill-building seminars
- Required software and books
- Costs associated with attending any of the above, including:
- Transportation
- Parking
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Certifications for:
- First aid
- Coaching
- Liability insurance
- Professional membership fees and licenses related to career or industry-specific
- Fees
- Renewals
- Exam fees
Computer Products and Mobile Digital Services
Computer Products and Mobile Digital Services is a Wellness category that supports a Member with access to everyday technology.
This category includes personal devices, software, mobile and connectivity services like internet and mobile phones as well as accessories and repairs for devices. These expenses should be related to general productivity and not for work-related or entertainment reasons.
- Hardware and devices, including:
- Computers (desktop or laptop)
- Tablets and e-readers
- Smartphones
- Smartwatches or wearable technology
- Peripherals, including:
- Keyboards
- Mice
- Monitors
- Printers
- Storage
- Headphones, earbuds, microphones
- Protective cases
- Chargers, adaptors, cables
- Internet connection devices
- Software and Applications, whether purchased outright or through subscription, including software for:
- Productivity
- Creative pursuits
- Education
- Personal interest
- Mobile and Internet services
- Personal internet access
- Mobile service and usage fees
- Service and repair for any hardware and devices listed above
- Excludes costs associated with:
- Entertainment, including:
- Gaming equipment
- Games
- Streaming subscriptions
- Any activity that is undertaken for career development, business-related, or is income-generating
- Entertainment, including:
Family Care
Family Care is a Wellness benefit category that supports Members and their families with services that help manage caregiving responsibilities, enhance quality of life, and provide safe, structured care for dependants of all ages.
This category is broad and may include caregiver support, childcare, elder care, home care, and long-term care services that provide supervision, assistance, or emotional support in day-to-day life.
- Caregiver support, including:
- Care coordination or elder-care consulting services
- Parenting or caregiver coaching
- Caregiver support groups
- Elder care and counselling, including:
- In-home caregiving and personal support services
- Adult day programs or respite care
- Home care including:
- Home cleaning
- Housekeeping
- Maintenance
- Meal prep/delivery
- Safety improvements
- Excluding everyday household expenses (food, clothing, supplies)
- Long-term care facilities
- Child/Dependant care (care for children during the working day) including:
- Child care/daycare fees
- Before and after school care programs
- Day camps or holiday care programs
- Excludes overnight camps and boarding schools
Personal Interest
Personal Interest is a Wellness category that supports activities, hobbies and creative pursuits, outside of work.
This can include classes, supplies and equipment and tools for personal development like arts, cooking or other areas of interest. Expenses tied to work or earning income aren’t included. This category is strictly for enrichment.
- Any expenses related to personal enrichment, hobbies, and interests that support overall well-being and life satisfaction, and are unrelated to employment including:
- Arts and crafts
- Photography
- Music
- Gardening
- Language
- Cooking, baking, or culinary pursuits
- Dance
- Theatre
- Eligible expenses can include:
- Textbooks
- Supplies
- Equipment
- Software
- Class or workshop fees
- Excludes:
- Any activity that is undertaken for career development, business-related, or income-generating
- General household goods
Pet Care
Pet Care is a Wellness category that helps Members support the health and wellbeing of their pets.
This can include vet visits, treatments, medications and training or boarding services. Routine supplies like food and toys or the initial cost of purchasing a pet are not considered eligible for reimbursement.
- Veterinary-related costs
- Check ups
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic services
- Treatment for illness or injury
- Vet-prescribed medications or services
- Pet insurance premiums
- Care and boarding
- Day care fees
- Kennel or boarding costs
- Training and behavioural support
- Obedience classes and training sessions
- Excludes:
- Purchase of a pet
- Routine supplies such as food, treats, toys, bedding
- Standard grooming costs
Insurance Premiums
Insurance Premiums is a Wellness category that helps Members recoup the cost of insurance they pay for themselves.
The key in this category is that the Member is paying the premium personally, and it’s not paid by an employer. Premiums for health and dental plans, life, disability or travel insurance (as long as health and dental portions are broken out) can be eligible.
- Premiums paid by the Plan Member for various types of insurance. Note that employer-paid premiums are not eligible.
- Health and dental insurance
- Critical Illness insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Travel Insurance
Financial Advice
Financial Advice is a Wellness category that helps Members who seek out professional guidance with their personal finances.
Expenses like fees paid to a financial planner for advice on investments and costs for tax preparation services are included in this category. Trading fees, commissions or self-directed tools are not considered eligible expenses. Essentially, if the expense is for advice or planning, it belongs here.
- Financial advisor fees - fees paid to qualified professionals for financial guidance on topics including:
- Financial planning, including:
- Comprehensive
- Retirement-focused
- Education savings planning
- Estate and legacy planning
- Debt and credit counselling
- Investment advice and portfolio planning, including:
- One-time or ongoing fees
- Portfolio reviews
- Risk tolerance assessments
- Investment strategy design
- Tax planning
- Financial planning, including:
- Tax preparation and filing fees
- Excludes:
- Product purchases (stocks, funds, policies, etc.)
- Trading fees and commissions
- Self-help (books, podcasts, subscriptions)
- Fees related to business activities
What’s not covered
Anything that doesn’t fit into the listing above is not eligible for reimbursement.
Everything But… Wellness Plan
A simple design that focuses on exclusions to create the most flexibility possible.
What the Plan Covers:
This HSA Wellness Plan design is intentionally broad so Plan Members can use the funds to improve their lives in almost any way they see it.
By only excluding some items it also simplifies understanding for Plan Members.
Anything is eligible for reimbursement, other than the list below.
What’s Not Covered:
To maintain the plan’s Wellness focus the following items are typically excluded:
- Tobacco products (including cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco)
- Alcoholic beverages of any kind
- Firearms, ammunition, and weapon-related items
Health and Wellness Plan
A plan designed with a narrow focus, primarily on physical health and wellness.
- Parental supports (e.g. maternity/paternity services, pre-natal classes)
- Counselling, coaching, and programs (e.g. health coaching, nutrition counselling, tobacco cessation programs, stress management programs, or weight loss programs)
- Alternative wellness services (eg. reiki, rolfing, touch therapy and light therapy)
- Vaccinations
- Over the counter medication (licensed for sale as medication)
- Natural health products (licensed for sale as supplements, vitamins, and minerals)
- Sport, fitness, and recreation participation fees, memberships, or passes
- Sport, fitness, and recreation clothing, footwear, equipment, or trackers
What’s not covered
Anything that doesn’t fit into the listing above is not eligible for reimbursement.