HCSA Starts April 1, 2026, for Active Members
Check Your Balance on April 2 after 2 p.m.
We hope you’ve been following our Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) updates. If you need more answers, FAQs are available on our website, or click on the button below to download additional information. A podcast will be released soon—stay tuned!
Here’s some last-minute info to help you get started smoothly:
- If you’re a full-time OPPA member, or a part-time OPPA member enrolled in health or dental, you’ll get a $650 HCSA allocation loaded by Canada Life on April 1, 2026.
- The allocation takes 24 hours to show up online; you’ll be able to see your balance on the My Canada Life at Work app or website after 2 p.m. on April 2, 2026.
- You can still claim eligible expenses with a service date of April 1, 2026.
- Your HCSA allocation is per certificate (WIN).
How to Claim
Before you spend, check that your expense is eligible to avoid surprises. Remember, your HCSA must be used last, after your health or dental plan.
Order of Claim & Co-ordination of Benefits
Because the HCSA is flexible, you choose when you want to claim against your balance. Payment through the HCSA is not automatic and it cannot be done through Point of Purchase at the provider.
The HCSA is always the last payor. The order will be as follows:
- The member’s base health and/or dental plan.
- The spouse’s base health and/or dental plan (active or retired), if applicable.
- The HCSA based on the balance in the account.
When you submit a claim under a second insurance plan, such as a spousal plan, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from both carriers that outlines the amounts they have paid. Both EOBs should be submitted with the HCSA claim.
Note: Members with partners who are also insured with Canada Life through their employer (either with the OPPA or not), can submit all claims with one submission. You will need to follow the prompts on the My Canada Life at Work app or website. You’ll be able to see your HCSA balance on the My Canada Life at Work app or website after 2 p.m. on April 2, 2026.
Scenario 1 – Using Your HCSA with Point of Purchase
Pay as you normally would at the pharmacy or provider. Because you cannot use your HCSA at the point of purchase, you do not need to provide them with any additional information.
If there’s an unpaid amount, submit that to your HCSA using:
- The My Canada Life at Work app or website, just follow the prompts to use your HCSA for any remaining balance.
- A paper claim form: Members can download updated claims forms from the Target Benefit Administrators Forms Library along with receipts and the Explanation of Benefits.
- Check your updated HCSA balance on the app or website.
Scenario 2 – Using Your HCSA for the Full Expense
- Submit the full expense through the My Canada Life at Work app or website; follow the prompts to submit unpaid plan amounts through you HCSA.
- Or, use a paper claim form with your receipts and the Explanation of Benefits if applicable.
- Check your updated HCSA balance on the app or website.
- Most eligible expenses for your HCSA are listed on the CRA website.
If you have questions, or need help navigating your claims, we’re here to help.