Having health coverage today is crucial, but it does not necessarily cover you forever. Group health benefits can be lost for multiple reasons, including career changes, a long-term disability leave of absence and retirement, just to name a few. The question is: what would you do if you lost your group health benefits?
Assured Access provides access to a comprehensive personal health plan in the event you no longer qualify for group benefits. It takes a snapshot of your health situation today and guarantees your access to a personal health plan that would cover any new medical condition developed after the snapshot has been taken, if you lost your group health benefits. It provides long-term security.
Yes. To be eligible for Assured Access, you will have to answer medical questions and qualify medically. Your plan will be based on your health situation today, even though you may not need to access a personal health plan for several years.
No. As long as you activate your personal health plan within 60 days of losing group benefits.
No. Any health conditions existing when you purchased Assured Access, also called “pre-existing conditions”, will not be covered. However you will be protected should you develop any new conditions.
The exclusion is based on the condition and not for one particular medication. So if new medication is prescribed to treat the pre-existing condition, it will not be covered either.
At time of purchase, you may choose single, couple or family coverage. If family members qualify medically, they can be covered.
Yes. Children and a spouse can be added to your Assured Access plan later. A spouse can be added within 60 days of marriage, and children can be added within 60 days of birth or adoption without having to answer medical questions. Otherwise, you can still add a spouse or dependents to your Assured Access plan, but they will be required to answer medical questions.
Under most group benefit plans, children are no longer eligible for benefits once they become 21 years of age. Some plans cover children up to age 25 or 26, if they are attending a post-secondary institution full time.
Dependent children covered under your Assured Access plan would be eligible to get their own personal health plan coverage when they are no longer eligible under your group plan. If your child develops a medical condition after enrolling in Assured Access, upon loss of group health benefits, this new condition will be covered by his or her personal health plan. Many customers purchase Assured Access to protect their children.
Premiums are reviewed and adjusted once a year.
You can keep Assured Access as long as you have group benefits. Customers working past age 65 can also keep their Assured Access until they lose their group health benefits. The important thing to remember with Assured Access is to contact your Agent at Coast-to-Coast Insurance Partners to activate your personal health plan within 60 days of losing your group health benefits.
Yes. When you switch your Assured Access plan to a personal health plan, you will begin to pay the current rates for the personal health plan. When you activate the personal health plan, you become eligible to claim reimbursements for expenses covered under the plan. The change in premium reflects this new coverage. Rates are based on age, number of dependents and benefits selected. Contact your advisor to see today’s rates.
Yes. We can split the policy so you can each have your own Assured Access or personal health plan.
Yes. Premiums for Assured Access can qualify towards your group Health Spending Account.
Yes. Premiums for Assured Access can be added to your other medical expenses when calculating tax credits. We recommend you consult with your accountant for any specific tax questions.
You will have access to our most comprehensive and affordable personal health plan. Elements by Medavie Blue Cross allows you to mix and match your coverage by selecting various health, drug and dental modules to design a plan to best meet your needs and budget.
Coast-to-Coast Insurance Partners can help you choose the right solution. Contact them 1 to 2 months before the scheduled termination of your group benefits (or as soon as you know). They will be pleased to guide you through the process and consult with you on the best fit for your needs.
If your group benefits did not continue for your family, then your family members could activate their personal health plan with 60 days of losing the group health benefits.
You can complete an Assured Access application with an Agent from Coast-to-Coast Insurance Partners, or you can complete the form directly on their website at www.insurancepartners.ca. You will have to answer basic questions about your health and we will need either your claims history from your current insurance carrier, or a doctor’s signature verifying answers to the medical questions are correct.
If you have been treated and symptom-free for over a year, you can apply to have your exclusion removed. You will need to complete a questionnaire about your exclusion, and you can contact an Agent at Coast-to-Coast Insurance Partners to begin this process.
Waiting periods for health (e.g. vision care and hearing aids) and hospital benefits will be waived automatically. If you wish to have dental benefits and had dental coverage under your group plan, we can waive your dental waiting periods as well. A letter from your former employer stating you had dental coverage, may be required.
Your plan will remain active as long as premiums are paid.
Yes. You can opt to continue paying for Assured Access when you activate your personal health plan. This provides you the ability to put your health plan on hold again should you gain group benefits.
It is not necessary, however, it may be recommended. We encourage you to discuss your future plans with an Agent at Coast-to-Coast Insurance Partners to understand your options.
There are many options. You can opt to join the government plan for yourself and your spouse can activate his or her own private plan, or you could both opt to take the private plan. These are just a few examples of options. Speak with an Agent at Coast-to-Coast Insurance Partners to find the best solution for you and your family.