Frequently Asked Questions

815,000 Canadians are waiting for treatment and this number is growing
Heart bypass wait is over a year; hip and knee replacement can be 2 years
These times are after you have seen a specialist
May be even longer if you have to wait for tests
Waiting for services frequently causes stress, anxiety, loss of income and physical deconditioning

FAQ Answers

WHAT IS MAI PLUS+?
Medical Access Insurance Plus+ provides Canadians with expedited access to specialist consultation, diagnostics, and surgery for over 135 treatments and conditions. Medical treatment for covered conditions will be provided in weeks, not months or years. Our policyholders are serviced independently, resulting in shorter waiting times for others.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
If a physician recommends a covered diagnostic procedure or surgery and you are placed on a medical waiting list more than 45 days long, MAI Plus+ will arrange to expedite your diagnosis and treatment in the United States, or in Canada, when services are available. Specialist Coverage Rider is also triggered by a 45-day wait list.

DO I HAVE TO WAIT 45 DAYS BEFORE TREATMENT BEGINS?
No. Call us right away. Once services are approved we will expedite your treatment immediately.

ARE TRAVEL EXPENSES COVERED?
Approved travel expenses are covered for the basic program which also covers approved companion travel expenses. However, travel expenses are not covered for the Specialist Coverage Rider.

WHAT IS THE SPECIALIST COVERAGE RIDER?
MAI Plus+ provides you with insured access to Specialist consultation in 10 Specialist categories. Recent studies show that seeing a Specialist within 21 days of referral by your GP may result in a reduction of the intensity of treatment and reduce recovery time by as much as 75%.

WHO CAN PURCHASE MAI PLUS+?
Enrolment is currently available to age 74, with coverage to age 75. Individuals that are members of Associations, Affinity Groups or Client Groups recognized by Industrial Alliance Pacific may purchase MAI Plus+. Please see our website for a complete list of participating groups or contact your agent/broker for more information.

I HAVE A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION: DOES THIS EXCLUDE MY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM?
No. Any conditions that you have suffered within the 2-year period prior to taking out the policy will automatically be waived after your policy has been in effect for 24 consecutive months.

WILL I NEED A MEDICAL EXAM?
No medical exam is required. Simply complete the application form.

HOW MUCH COVERAGE DOES MAI PLUS+ PROVIDE?
MAI Plus+ has a lifetime maximum of $1,000,000 USD per individual.

HOW MUCH ARE THE PREMIUMS?
MAI Plus+ premiums start at $36.85 per month for single coverage and family rates from $84.19 per month. The Alberta Government has cancelled Alberta Health Care Premiums effective January 1, 2009. A special group rate is available to Alberta Employers: $49 for single coverage, $98 for family.

WILL MY PREMIUMS INCREASE IF I MAKE A CLAIM?
No. MAI Plus+ premiums are rated according to your age and the type of coverage you choose: single, couple, single with children or family.

ARE THERE ANY CO-PAYMENTS OR DEDUCTIBLES?
No. Payment of your monthly premium is all that is required. We settle all claims on your behalf directly with the service provider.

DOES MAI PLUS+ REPLACE MY CURRENT PROVINCIAL HEALTH PLAN?
No. MAI Plus+ was designed the assist the public health care system by providing supplementary coverage to the provincial health plan.

WILL MAI PLUS+ COVER ME WHILE I AM ABROAD?
The policy covers you while you are a resident of Canada and placed on a Canadian medical wait list. For medical coverage when abroad, you will need to take out a separate travel insurance policy.

IS THIS LEGAL?
Yes, MAI Plus+ complies with all federal and provincial regulations.

CAN MY SERVICES BE COMPLETED IN MY PROVINCE?
Most services can be performed in your home province. In certain circumstances, to comply with provincial regulations or because services are not available in Canada, you may be required to have your services provided in another province or in the United States. In these cases, the policy pays for travel expenses.

IS THIS QUEUE JUMPING?
No, it is the opposite. Under this program people are taken off of the wait lists and out of the long lines; their services are performed independently thus making the lineups shorter for others.

WILL I BE ABLE TO CHOOSE MY PHYSICIAN?
Yes, unlike the public system you are allowed to select your physician and facility. You are provided with information so you can make an informed choice. In addition, prior to any surgery, you will receive a qualified second opinion from a surgeon experienced in the procedure.

ARE THERE ANY EXCLUSIONS TO COVERAGE?
Yes. In common with all insurance policies there are certain exclusions and limitations. For a complete list of exclusions please consult the policy.