Independent national life insurance advisory firm illnessPROTECTION.com Inc. is introducing ELITE U.S. Healthcare Insurance. Available to Canadians only, the policy provides timely access to medical treatment in the United States in the event of any illness or injury with a wait time for treatment in Canada.

The policy covers up to US$5 million for treatment and travel costs, and is available across Canada through insurance advisors, wealth managers and financial institutions.

“People are concerned about increasing wait times for medical treatments,” says company founder and president Mark Halpern. “Average wait times for treatment in Canada now range from a minimum of 13 to 28 weeks, so there is a need for affordable protection that eliminates unnecessary delays while funding treatments and travel costs. This product helps to reduce emotional distress for patients and their families. Importantly, when set up properly, all premiums are tax deductible and benefits are received tax-free.”

ELITE U.S. Healthcare provides a rapid second opinion, no-wait access to treatment and a personal case coordinator to help patients and their families navigate through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Treatment is available at medical centres of excellence in the U.S. like Cleveland Clinic, Sloan-Kettering, Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins.

With no waiting period and a lifetime limit of US $5 million, the insurance can be used for multiple occurrences by individuals as young as 60 days old up to age 74. Medical expenses and business class travel for the insured, and a traveling companion, are covered.

Cleveland Clinic Canada, a health and wellness centre in Toronto, is part of the Cleveland Clinic in the U.S., a world-renowned academic medical centre. Cleveland Clinic Canada offers executive medical care, health and wellness counseling, and medical specialty consultations. Cleveland Clinic Canada collaborated on the development of this product by providing insight on the market place needs and helping patients get simplified underwriting.

The policy is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, and administered by Global Excel Management Inc., the 24/7 medical assistance team of Expert Travel Financial Security (E.T.F.S.) Inc., a provider of insurance products and services covering more than 3 million policyholders travelling worldwide.

The product can be purchased with deductible options of US $5,000 or $10,000 per occurrence.

IE