Saturday, February 04, 2012
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Insurance Benefits
Insurance Benefits
Equity's Council is now reviewing current and potential
insurance coverage
Equity's elected representatives have undertaken a major survey to review the current insurance plan and to investigate possible changes that will benefit the membership. If you are invited to participate in this research, you are encouraged to express your needs and concerns. And of course, your input is always valuable to us even if you are not contacted by the researchers. Contact Equity if you have concerns or information to share.

Questions about the insurance plans and coverage
General questions about the insurance plans and coverage can be directed to Equity but the final determination on coverage will be made by ACE Insurance. It is best to speak to them directly at 1-877-772-7797.
Any concerns about the denied claims or suggestions on improvements to the insurance coverage should be directed to the Controller in Equity's National Office.

Claim forms
All claim forms are posted online in Equity's online Document Library.
Just click on the Insurance link.
  • Claimant Statement Medical Claims
        Use this for all medical supplies and services except Paramedical claims
  • Claimant Statement Paramedical Claim
        For paramedical practitioner’s claims such as massage, chiropractic, physiologist
       (note that some require physician’s referral and/or practitioner’s statement)
  • Miscellaneous Health and Wellness Expense Benefit form
        For claiming a broad range of health-related expenses
  • Accident & Sickness Insurance Application For Income Replacement Benefit
        Use this form to claim when disabled and unable to complete your contract
        (other forms must accompany claim)
  • Practitioner Statement
        May be required with paramedical and/or medical services claims
  • Accident & Sickness Insurance Attending Physician Statement
        Must accompany all income replacement claims
  • Accidental Dental Claim

    Recent insurance plan enhancements
    New benefits are now in effect:
  • Extra seven days to start paramedical coverage
  • Sickness disability extended to age 80 for Canadian residents
  • Completing contract may not affect income replacement eligibility
  • Athletic and sports therapists coverage
  • Enhanced plan weekly premiums reduced by 25%
  • Maximums for paramedical fees have increased
  • Time to order orthotics extended
  • Smoking cessation benefit added
  • Target claims turnaround time established by Ace
    • Detailed information on plan enhancements

    Health and Wellness Expense Benefit
    The Miscellaneous Health and Wellness Expense Benefit was added in 2007. This benefit provides for the reimbursement of health-related costs not previously covered. Under this benefit ACE Insurance will reimburse up to $100 per calendar year for a broad list of expenses. Dental expenses, oral contraceptives, homeopathy, insulin treatments and psychotherapy are only a few examples of the services covered.
    Miscellaneous Health and Wellness Expense Benefit form - just click on the insurance link

    Accident and Sickness Insurance - Base Plan
    Base Plan
    While under contract, most Equity members pay weekly premiums for accident and sickness insurance benefits and disability (weekly income) benefits in case the member becomes unable to continue working. A few of Equity's agreements require the engager to pay premiums on behalf of the Equity member. Accident benefits are available whether engaged under an Equity contract or not, but sickness and income replacement benefits are only available to members who were under contract when the sickness or injury occurred.
    Currently, the income replacement benefits under the base plan are 75 per cent of the artist's fee up to a limit of $450 per week. Equity's agreements with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada and the Alberta Ballet require these companies to provide independent insurance packages.
    Members engaged in activities defined as an extraordinary risk (use of weapons, pyrotechnics, acrobatics, etc.) in the applicable agreement or policy must have an extraordinary risk rider in their contract. With that rider, extraordinary risk insurance is automatically put in place for you. There is no additional cost to you or the engager for this insurance but it will improve some benefits and the termination provisions.
    If your production involves an extraordinary risk make sure to ask for and sign an extraordinary risk rider. If you, or anyone in the cast, are concerned that an activity is too dangerous, it shouldn't be done. Only activities that have a reasonable level of risk are permitted. Do not hesitate to contact Equity with any questions or for further assistance.

    Accident and Sickness Insurance - Enhanced Plan
    Enhanced Plan
    Additional insurance coverage applies to Sector 2 - all categories, Sector 1, A+, and the Shaw Festival and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival productions only.
    Top-up insurance has the effect of increasing the weekly income replacement benefits and doubling many of the accident and sickness expense benefits. Currently, the income replacement benefits pay a maximum of $750 per week.

    Travel Insurance
    Equity agreements require that members are placed under travel insurance when touring (see the pertinent collective agreement for details). This travel insurance is not health insurance. Members should check to make sure they still have provincial health coverage when out of the province for an extended period of time.
      Canadian Actors' Equity Association  •   2012  •  All rights reserved  •  Personal Information Policy  •  Disclaimer