Health & Dental Benefits for Canadian Avalanche Association Members
Participation is limited to ACTIVE members. Association dues must be paid for the current season prior to benefits enrolment.
Benefits effective January 1, 2025
As committed partners of the Canadian Avalanche Association, Acera Insurance is excited to offer an exclusive extended health and dental plan tailored specifically for members, through our partner, Simply Benefits. Our comprehensive coverage is designed to ensure that you and your family have access to quality care, so you can focus on what you love most.
Explore the features of the CAA Benefits Plan.
Benefits Plan Features
With flexible options between Silver and Gold plan levels, you can choose the plan that works best for you. See the table below to compare the Silver and Gold plans and rates. Coverage is guaranteed acceptance, which means no medical requirement.
Extended Health Care
Silver
- Coinsurance: 80% (100% hospital/travel)
- Semi-private hospital room
- Travel Insurance OOC – $5,000,000 / Trip Duration: 60 days
- Termination: age 75
Gold
- Coinsurance: 100%
- Semi-private hospital room
- Travel Insurance OOC – $5,000,000 / Trip Duration: 60 days
- Termination: age 75
Prescription Drugs
Silver
- Coinsurance: 70%, 80% Costco or Pocketpills
- Maximum $50,000 per person per calendar year
- Includes mandatory generic
Gold
- Coinsurance: 80%, 90% Costco or Pocketpills
- Maximum $50,000 per person per calendar year
- Includes mandatory generic
Paramedical
Silver
- 80%, up to $500 per practitioner per calendar year
Gold
- 100%, up to $500 per practitioner per calendar year
Vision
Silver
- Exams – No coverage
- Eyewear – No coverage
Gold
- Exams – $75 once every 24 mo (adults), 12 mo (child)
- Eyewear – $300 every 24 mo (adults), 12 mo (child)
Dental Care
Silver
- Basic – 80% to a max of $1000 per cal yr
- Major – None
- Recall – 9 months
- Termination – age 75
Gold
- Basic – 80% to a max of $2000 per cal yr
- Major – 50% to a max of $2000 (combined with basic)
- Recall – 6 months
- Termination – age 75
Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Silver and Gold:
- Benefit amount: $25,000 / $50,000 if accidental
- Benefit reduces by 50% at age 65
- Terminates at age 75
Travel Insurance
- Broad Emergency Out of Province Medical Coverage
AIG travel coverage with your CAA health and dental benefits will cover enrolled members for emergency out of province accidents or sickness. This will apply for both leisure and occupational travel up to 60 days duration. There are no exclusions for high-risk activities. AIG has an “attaché” service for medical emergency response and in many cases will coordinate with the health authority for payment. It is imperative the plan member contact AIG as soon as possible in the event of a claim. AIG provides a downloadable “travel app” for plan members.
Services required for remote medical evacuation will be covered under the following conditions:
- Plan member requires hospitalization and has a record / proof of such event.
- Licensed ambulance services are used during the course of the medical evacuation.
Costs associated with the use of 3rd party contractors (helicopters and personnel) MAY be covered as an alternative to a licensed ambulance under the following circumstances:
- Licensed ambulance services are not available.
- Costs have been paid by the plan member.
- All plan member expenses to be detailed on the claim form with supporting documentation.
It is challenging to anticipate every situation that will arise when dealing with remote backcountry injury. It is our expectation that when medically necessary, evacuation cost will be covered under the CAA health and dental plan. However, this is not a “rescue service” and it must be understood that claims may be declined for this specific use.
It is our recommendation, CAA members investigate “mountain rescue” services and coordinate this with their extended health plan and OOC travel coverage.
Monthly Rates
Silver
Single
$97.98
Duo
$201.66
Family
$250.99
Gold
Single
$124.97
Duo
$241.28
Family
$292.27
Enrolment & Eligibility Conditions
The criteria below are the terms of the group insurance contract. This provides for the cost sustainability of the plan and avoids anti-selection when members choose to sign on for the optional benefits offered through your association.
- Interested members must complete the “sign-up” page with personal information details.
- You must enrol your eligible spouse and dependants if not already covered under another benefits plan.
- Members will receive an enrolment link from Simply Benefits. This must be completed to register for coverage and make claims.
- Premiums are billed on the 10th of the month to the plan member via PAD from your bank account or credit card. Annual payment is not available.
- Your benefits will start on the 1st day of the following month after submitting your request.
- Members can change from Silver to Gold (or vice versa) within 30 days of the plan anniversary (January 1st).
- Members must remain on the plan for at least 12 months. Valid reasons for cancellation include:
- You become covered with an employer-sponsored benefits plan or through a spousal benefit plan.
- You are no longer a member of the association.
- Changes to family status can occur at any time. Please notify your plan administrator or submit a change request with Simply Benefits within 30 days.
- Adding a dependant. Single to Duo or Duo to Family.
- Removing dependants. Proof of alternative coverage is required.
- Over-age dependents are automatically removed from the plan.
- Marriage break-up (separation or divorce).
- Members terminating from the plan must wait 24 months before becoming eligible for coverage.
Resources
- How to enrol in the CAA Benefits Plan (video)
- How to use your benefits card (video)
- How to submit a claim (video)
- Plan Member Booklet – GOLD (pdf)
- Plan Member Booklet – SILVER (pdf)