Back to all terms

Anniversary Year

An anniversary year is a 12-month benefit period that begins on the date your insurance coverage takes effect rather than on a standard calendar year. This means your plan’s annual maximums, deductibles, and claim resets follow your personal enrollment date instead of January 1 to December 31.

For example, if your coverage starts on April 1, your anniversary year runs from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the next. This system ensures that benefits renew exactly one year after your policy begins, regardless of when you joined.

Anniversary years are common in individual and family health or dental plans because they provide flexibility for policyholders who start coverage at different times of the year. They are less common in large group benefit plans, which typically align with the employer’s fiscal or calendar year for administrative simplicity.

Example:

If your policy starts on July 01, your first benefit year runs from July 01 to the following June 30. Any annual maximums, deductibles, or frequency-based benefits reset on that date each year.

What to Watch For:

Keep track of your anniversary date so you know when benefits renew. Submitting large claims just before the anniversary reset may exhaust your current year’s maximums, leaving little available until the next benefit period begins.

Related Terms

Benefit Period (Vision)

The benefit period for vision refers to how often your vision care coverage renews and allows you to make new claims for eligible expenses such as glasses, contact lenses, or eye exams. Unlike other benefits that reset each year, vision care often renews every two benefit periods, which can mean every 24 consecutive months rather than every calendar year.

Pre-Determination of Benefits

Pre-determination of benefits is the process of submitting a treatment plan or cost estimate to your insurance provider before receiving care to confirm how much of the expense will be covered. This step helps you understand your expected reimbursement and out-of-pocket cost before proceeding with services that may be costly or complex.

Policy (Contract)

A policy, also referred to as a contract, is the legally binding agreement between an insurance company (the insurer) and the policyholder that defines the terms, conditions, and obligations of coverage. It outlines what is insured, the benefits provided, the premium amount, exclusions, and the responsibilities of both parties. Once the insurer accepts the application and the first premium is paid, the policy becomes active and enforceable.

Ambulance (Ground/Air)

Ambulance coverage provides reimbursement for emergency transportation to a hospital by ground or air when medically necessary. In health insurance plans, this benefit ensures that if you experience a sudden illness or accident, you can access appropriate care without paying the full transportation cost yourself.

Per Incident

Per incident refers to the way certain insurance benefits are calculated or limited based on each separate event, illness, or accident rather than by year or lifetime. When a benefit is paid “per incident,” it means you are eligible for reimbursement each time a new, distinct occurrence happens, up to the maximum amount specified for that type of claim.

Relevant Plans

Plans that relate to Anniversary Year

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Basic

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Basic

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced+

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced+

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Premium

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Premium

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Have questions about your insurance coverage?

Our licensed advisors can help you understand your options and find the right plan for your needs.