To protect the security of personal information, your Internet browser will need to be upgraded to access this website. Please ensure you use the latest version of:
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Safari
Certain Alberta Blue Cross® members have access to additional functionality and Content available through the Site. The functionality, known as “Balance®”, is a unique health management program providing lifestyle and wellness information. Even if you have access to Balance® through your plan, your use of it is voluntary. If you choose to use the Balance® functionality or access the Balance® Content, then the terms and conditions set out in the sections below will apply to you, in addition to those above. By accessing Balance® on this web site or a mobile application, you agree to these Additional Terms of Use for Balance® users.
Balance® may be operated by Alberta Blue Cross® or by one or more third party licensors, under a contract with Alberta Blue Cross®. In the sections below, references below to “we” and “us” include such third parties.
The information that you provide through the Balance® functionality does not affect your Alberta Blue Cross® coverage.
Balance® and its health-related information and resources are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their healthcare providers.
At registration and at various times as you use Balance®, you will be given the option of receiving recurring information via e-mail from us.
These e-mails will not contain personal health information. Your use of this functionality constitutes consent, pursuant to Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation to receive commercial electronic messages such as emails from us. Should you wish to stop receiving them, please click the “unsubscribe” link on the email or use the functionality within the site to change your user preferences.
If you choose to use Balance®, you must provide us personally identifiable information. Depending on the tool or service you have selected, we may also collect personal health information. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the personally identifiable information and personal health information you submit to Balance®.
Specifically, in addition to the uses identified above, we will collect, use and disclose your personal information for the following purposes:
You agree not to abuse Balance® privileges by conduct which is detrimental to our interests including, without limitation, attempting to accrue points or redeem points in a manner inconsistent with the rules of Balance® or the intent of these Terms of Use, having multiple accounts (except during a transition period if you move from one group to another), attempting to earn points through other than legitimate channels, participating in purchasing or redemption fraud, or tampering with Balance® award links. We reserve the right to terminate or disable, at our sole discretion, any usage of the Balance® functionality if we believe that you have violated or acted inconsistently with these Terms of Use or their intent. You understand and agree that disabling of usage or membership will result in your inability to redeem and/or earn points, and forfeiture of previously earned or awarded points.
We shall be the sole determiner in cases of suspected abuse, fraud, or violation of these Terms of Use, and any decision we make relating to termination of your usage of Balance® (including cancellation of points) shall be final and binding.
Points may be redeemed only for rewards as offered through Balance® at time of redemption.
Points have no cash value.
We are not responsible for lost or stolen rewards once issued.
Rewards are subject to change at any time without notice.
Your inquiries regarding rewards ordered and not received or redeemed must be received by us within 60 days after the initial redemption date. Thereafter, we will have no obligation to resend rewards to you.
Points will be subtracted from your account as soon as you enter a draw.
In conjunction with redeeming rewards, you agree to confirm that all information in your personal contact profile is up to date and accurate.
We reserve the right to cancel and disable accounts and cancel unredeemed points in those accounts when Site access or benefits are cancelled.
You shall comply with all laws, rules, and regulations that are applicable to you. We may refuse to enroll you in Balance®, or may restrict, modify, or terminate your participation in Balance®, without liability to you or any other party, if you violate any law, rule, or regulation, or if your participation in Balance® could violate any law, rule, or regulation.
In addition to the cookies used generally on the Site, if you use Balance®, we collect non-personal information about your use of Balance®.
Every computer that accesses Balance® is assigned a different cookie. The information collected by cookies (i) helps us dynamically generate advertising and content on web pages or in newsletters; (ii) allows us to statistically monitor how many people are using the Site; (iii) shows us how many people open our emails; and (iv) shows us the purposes for which these actions are being taken. We may use cookie information to target certain content. Cookies are also used as navigation aids and as session timers. Cookies used by us may also be used to restrict use of Balance® by some users.
From time to time, we may conduct online research surveys through e-mail invitations, pop-up surveys and online focus groups. You will be prompted to accept and secure your permission. When participating in a survey, we may ask you to enter personally identifiable information. We may combine your personally identifiable information you submit in a survey with information about you from other sources. The information from other sources may include health or other identifiable information. This personally identifiable information is used by us for research purposes. Aggregate non-identifiable information from the survey results may be reported.
Some surveys may provide remuneration to participants such as reward points for your time and may require your permission for additional e-mail follow-up surveys. We will tell you when you agree to participate in a survey if it is a reward point survey.
In addition to collecting survey responses from our members, cookies may be used to authenticate respondents or to help you pick up where you left off in a survey. If you have cookies disabled you may not be able to participate in some studies. Cookies may be used to connect survey data with the Balance® functionality usage characteristics. You will be notified when we would like to use cookies in this way and your consent will be requested for these cookies.
We may combine, in a non-identifiable format, the personal health information you provide with information from other users to create aggregate data that may be disclosed. Aggregate data does not contain any information that could be used to contact or identify you. For example, we may use information gathered to create a composite profile of all the users. We may use this information to understand needs and to design appropriate programs and activities on the Balance® aspects of the Site. We will not disclose your personal health information to any third party without your prior permission, except as otherwise permitted by these Terms of Use.
If you click the “Get started” button to do a Health Risk Assessment you are agreeing to this as well:
I am agreeing to participate in the Balance® Health Risk Assessment and declare that:
I am 16 years of age or older. I have read and understood the information provided to me. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and received satisfactory answers. I was given enough time to think it over and decide about my participation.
I understand that I will be asked to: (i) answer detailed questionnaires about myself, my health, the way I live (e.g., lifestyle, diet), and where I spend my time (e.g., environment); and (ii) take and report my height, weight, and waist measurements.
I understand that I can choose not to complete the Health Risk Assessment if any question makes me uncomfortable.
I understand that my personal information will never be shared with my employer or anyone else unless I personally consent.
I understand that that aggregate information (non-identifiable) may be shared without additional consent.
I accept that my questionnaire answers, after my name and other identifying information have been removed, may be used by researchers from Canada and other countries for approved health-related research projects.
I accept that I will receive no personal financial benefit from the sale of any test or product that may be developed as a result of the data and samples collected by the Balance® Health Risk Assessment.
I accept that the information collected by the Balance® Health Risk Assessment will be kept as required to fulfil the identified purposes and then destroyed, erased, or made anonymous, in compliance with all applicable laws.
If any information appears to be missing or incorrect, or if you have questions about what you are viewing, please contact Alberta Blue Cross® at 780-498-8000 (Edmonton and area) and toll-free in other areas of Canada and the U.S. at 1-800-661-6995.