Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and buying
How do I know if I am eligible for Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance?
Can I pay my critical illness insurance premium monthly?
How soon does my critical illness coverage take effect?
How will my premium increase?
Coverage
What conditions are covered by Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance?
What do you mean by major organ?
When does my coverage terminate?
Is critical illness insurance the same as disability insurance?
Is critical illness insurance the same as life insurance?
Is critical illness insurance the same as long term care insurance?
How to access Right Choice benefits
When should I call Right Choice about an illness?
When is the cash benefit paid?
Can I choose where I am treated?
Is there a time limit on Right Choice care management?
Who provides the second opinion?
Will my doctor accept Right Choice’s second medical opinion?
Who provides the care management?
Will my doctors accept the care manager Right choice provides?
How to contact Right Choice
I can’t find the answer to my question. Can I phone or email Right Choice?
Eligibility and buying
How do I know if I am eligible for Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance?
Canadians under the age of 69 are eligible to apply. There are just 5 medical questions on the application form. Click on the Apply+Buy link and follow the easy steps or Click on Get a Quote to get an instant Critical Illness Insurance Quote.
Can I pay my critical illness insurance premium monthly?
Yes, using VISA, MasterCard, or pre-authorized chequing (PAC).
How soon does my critical illness coverage take effect?
Your policy is effective on the date your application is accepted. It will remain in effect as long as policy payments are made. Coverage terminates at age 70.
How will my premium increase?
First year premiums are based on your age, sex and smoking status at the time you apply. Renewal premiums will increase according to your attained age on each policy anniversary after you enter the next age band. Coverage terminates at age 70.
Coverage
What conditions are covered by Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance?
Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance covers Cancer, Heart Attack, Stroke, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Aorta Surgery, Major Organ Failure, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Benign Brain Tumour, Blindness, Coma, Deafness, Paralysis, Parkinson’s Disease and Severe Burns.
Second Event Benefit:
If you are diagnosed with Cancer for which the cash benefit has been paid and then at least 365 days afterward are diagnosed with a Heart Attack, Stroke or Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, you will receive a second cash benefit.
The Second Event benefit is subject to you surviving 30 days after the diagnosis of Heart Attack, Stroke or Coronary Artery Bypass.
If you are diagnosed with Heart Attack, Stroke or Coronary Artery Bypass for which the cash benefit has been paid and then at least 365 days afterward are diagnosed with Cancer, you will receive a second cash benefit. The Second Event benefit is subject to you surviving 30 days after the diagnosis of Cancer.
The Second Event benefit is payable only once. Payment of the Second Event benefit will represent full and final discharge of all claims under the Second Event benefit. Your policy will terminate after the Second Event Benefit is paid.
Loss of Independence Benefit:
We will pay 25% of the cash benefit if, while insured, you are diagnosed with Loss of Independence. Payment of the Loss of Independence benefit reduces the cash benefit by the amount paid. Payment of the Loss of Independence benefit is payable only once, and will represent full and final discharge of all claims under the Loss of Independence benefit.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Benefit:
We will pay 10% of the cash benefit if you are diagnosed with DCIS and survive for 30 days after the diagnosis. The DCIS benefit is payable only once. Payment of the DCIS benefit reduces the cash benefit by the amount paid. There are no other benefits for DCIS under the policy. The DCIS benefit is not payable if the Benefit Amount has already been paid as a result of the insured being diagnosed with, or undergoing, one of the Insured Conditions.
What do you mean by major organ?
Major organs include the entire heart, entire liver, both lungs, both kidneys or bone marrow.
When does my coverage terminate?
Right Choice Critical Illness Insurance terminates on the earliest of: cancellation by you, 30 days after you miss a monthly payment, on your 70th birthday, or after the Second Event benefit is paid.
Is critical illness insurance the same as disability insurance?
No. Disability insurance, also known as “income replacement” insurance, provides a monthly income replacement benefit if you become disabled and can no longer perform the normal duties of your work. Generally, the benefit is limited to a percentage of your regular income and ceases once you earn an income or you no longer meet the definition of disability in the contract.
Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum benefit if you are diagnosed with one of the covered conditions, even if you recover fully and even if you receive funds from some other source. Payment of the benefit is not related to your inability to work.
Is critical illness insurance the same as life insurance?
No. Life insurance is a death benefit that becomes payable after you die. The benefit is not paid to you, but to your beneficiary.
Critical illness insurance is a living benefit that becomes payable if you survive for 30 days after you are diagnosed with one of the covered conditions. This benefit is paid to you.
Is critical illness insurance the same as long term care insurance?
No. Long-term care insurance provides for personal care on a long-term basis if you need supervision or assistance with daily living activities due to a chronic illness, disabling condition or cognitive impairment. Long-term care policies generally reimburse, up to a specified limit, the expenses incurred for various types of care, such as nursing home or home health care; or they pay a pre-determined benefit amount on a daily or monthly basis.
Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum benefit if you are diagnosed with one of the covered conditions. Payment of the benefit is not dependent on your need for care, nor your need for assistance with the activities of daily living.
How to access Right Choice benefits
When should I call Right Choice about an illness?
Call as soon as your doctor refers you to a specialist for possible diagnosis of one of the covered conditions. Right Choice will start coordinating with your specialist in advance of your appointment.
When is the cash benefit paid?
The cash benefit is paid within 5 days of ACE receiving all required claims documents.
Can I choose where I am treated?
Yes. As a Right Choice client, you will benefit from MedExtra’s expertise in choosing the best facilities for your treatment. You will also have priority access to World Care’s network of U.S. medical facilities at preferred rates. Of course, you will also have your cash benefit to spend on your treatment, if you choose.
Is there a time limit on Right Choice care management?
No. Right Choice will continue to provide services until you no longer require treatment for the critical illness identified in your original diagnosis.
Who provides the second opinion?
Right Choice provider, WorldCare, provides the second medical opinion. WorldCare operates in over 34 countries worldwide and has delivered over 16,000 second opinion studies. WorldCare second opinions revise the diagnosis in 15% of cases and enhance the treatment plan in 71% of cases.
Will my doctor accept Right Choice’s second medical opinion?
Yes, for three reasons. First, you are entitled to a second medical opinion. Second, WorldCare is recognized for the quality of its diagnostic team. Third, WorldCare actually eases some of the strain on our healthcare system by performing this valuable service.
Who provides the care management?
Our provider, MedExtra, provides Right Choice Easy Assist care management. MedExtra’s specially trained Care Managers work cooperatively with treating physicians to resolve medical issues. They also provide you with clarity, emotional support and referral to resources not available locally.
Will my doctors accept the care manager Right Choice provides?
Yes. MedExtra is staffed by Canadian healthcare professionals who understand our system. Their care managers will assist your medical team by improving coordination and answering your questions.
How to contact Right Choice
I can’t find the answer to my question. Can I phone or email Right Choice?
Yes. Please contact us toll-free at 1-888-853-3795, or locally from the Toronto area at 416-581-1291, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST. Or you can email us at info@rightchoiceinsurance.ca and we will contact you.
