PHI and HCC premium rate change

2025 rate reprice

What’s happening?

Effective April 1, 2025, we’re repricing PHI and HCC. These rate changes will apply to in-force and new business.

Why are we repricing?

Annually, we review our Personal Health Insurance (PHI) and Health Coverage Choice (HCC) pricing. We see an ongoing increase in claims we’re paying to Clients. This claims experience affects our outlook on future claims costs. As a result of this review, we’re repricing PHI and HCC in 2025.

Is there a rate increase for everyone?

No. Certain plans will not receive a rate change, and Series 3.0-6.0 for HCC will remain unchanged.  However, many existing Clients will experience a premium increase of up to 25% at their policy renewal,  for both PHI and HCC.

In-force business

Will there be a rate change every year?

It depends. HCC and PHI rates are reviewed every year. We may increase premiums from time to time for a variety of reasons, including an increase in our outlook on future claims costs for insured persons with similar policies, and our expenses.

When will I learn about a Client’s new premium amount?

The Client will be informed of the new premium amount on the annual renewal notice. A copy will be mailed to your office.

Why is a Client receiving a higher increase than the April 1, 2025 rate table implies?

In some situations, for a group of Clients who completed an application prior to April 1, 2024, with their policy being issued after April 1, 2024, those Clients have been paying 2023 rates for the past year as per our transition rules. Due to rate increases on April 1, 2024, and again on April 1, 2025, these Clients will now see both increases applied simultaneously. This group of Clients will now receive updated market rates that include both the 2024 and 2025 increases and their new rates will align with other Clients in the same series and age band. This combined increase will only occur at their first policy renewal and after this adjustment, their premiums will be consistent with all other Clients in their category.

As a result of this specific scenario, the rate increase for these Clients will be higher than the tables we’ve published on this page because their new rate reflects both the 2024 and 2025 increases. See the 2024 rate table below along with the 2025 table above on this page for sense of the combined increase for Clients in this scenario.

Changes to PHI rates – Effective April 1, 2024

Changes to HCC rates – Effective April 1, 2024

What should I say to a Client asking why we are repricing?

The reason for the reprice is because through our annual review, we see an ongoing increase in the claims we’re paying to Clients. This claims experience affects our outlook on future claims costs. Claim patterns have changed, and the increased activity shows that Clients see value in their plans and are making good use of their coverage.

What if a Client can’t afford their policy anymore?

Before requesting any plan changes, make sure to review the Client’s needs. There may be options to reduce their premiums by moving to a lower priced plan. For example, for PHI, from Enhanced with Dental to Standard with Dental. Or, some Clients might currently have optional benefits, such as Dental or Semi-private hospital coverage, that they could decide to remove to reduce their monthly premium. Email the admin team at PERHLTH@Sunlife.com about possible options available for the Client.

How can a Client request to decrease their plan level or remove optional benefits?

A Client may decrease their coverage or remove an option by sending us a written notification of the request.  Clients will need to email a signed and dated letter in PDF format to PERHLTH@Sunlife.com.

What do I say to a Client who would like to cancel their policy?

Remind the Client of the product benefits and offer to review their needs to ensure the protection is as relevant now as when they purchased the product. If ongoing affordability is the reason for the cancellation, explain the ways they could potentially lower their premiums or adjust their plan.

When were past Series sold?

PHI

Series 1- from Oct 1997 to Aug 01, 1999

Series 2 – from Aug 2, 1999 to June 30, 2000

Series 3 – from Jul 1, 2000 to Aug 31, 2004

Series 4 – from Sept 1, 2004 to Aug 31, 2005

Series 5 – from Sept 1, 2005 to Aug 31, 2008

Series 6 – from Sept 1, 2008 to Aug 31, 2009

Series 7 – from Sept 1, 2009 to Aug 31, 2014

Series 8 – from Sept 1, 2014 to Feb 20, 2022

Series 9 – from Feb 21, 2022 - ongoing

HCC

Series 3 - From Sept 8, 2003 to Aug 31, 2004

Series 4- From Sept 1, 2004 to Aug 31, 2005

Series 5 - From Sept 1, 2005 to Aug 31, 2008

Series 6 - From Sept 1, 2008 to Aug 31, 2009

Series 7 - From Sept 1, 2009 to Aug 31, 2014

Series 8 - From Sept 1, 2014 to Feb 20, 2022

Series 9 - From Feb 21, 2022 - ongoing

New business

Where can I find PHI and HCC product information?

Review the advisor guide and the 10 things that you need to know about PHI and HCC document.

Where can I look at the new rates?

New rates cards will be available by April 1, 2025. We will add them to the product page when they’re available.

What Client support materials are available?

Refer Clients to the PHI or HCC client guide.  This point-of-sale guide can help Clients understand the features and benefits of products. It’s available in English, French and simplified Chinese.

What is the last day I can submit an application prior to the rate change?

Online applications signed and received on or before March 31, 2025 will be processed using the current rates. Online applications received on or after April 1, 2025 will be processed using the new rates in effect.

Paper applications signed before April 1, 2025, must be received before April 7, 2025, otherwise we’ll process them using the new rates in effect on April 1, 2025.

Applications processed with the current rates will receive a rate increase at their first policy anniversary.