NEWS FROM THE FRONT

When Opting In = Running Out:

More Accident Benefits Made Optional  

We have seen the future and it is not pretty. 

The regulation dealing with optional benefits has been filed and approved. Effective July 1, 2026 Income Replacement Benefit, Non-earner Benefits and Caregiver Benefits will be optional. The new regulation in all its ominous glory can be found here if you’d like to read the bad news in detail. 

Along with other stakeholders we submitted our comments on concerns in last month’s public consultation. If you missed that, you can read it here.  

In essence, we pointed out that unless insurers do a brilliant job of explaining optional benefits - and why they might be desperately needed in the event of a serious injury - the vast majority of people will take a pass on anything that increases premium costs.  As health care providers treating those seriously injured in accidents we know that these soon-to-optional (and therefore rare indeed) benefits make all the difference when recovering from an accident. Not many people are able to focus on their rehabilitation program when they are worried about food and shelter.

Our September submission includes our positive comments on the other proposed change: having auto insurers become first payors and spare injured consumers the current runaround required by needing to use any Extended Health Benefits first. This is a change we are in a hurry to see take place and understand that it won’t likely be until the New Year that we see movement on that front.

As always, stay tuned. 

Sincerely,

Laurie Davis
Executive Director
Ontario Rehab Alliance

Watch the Watchers: What rehab providers and their clients should know about insurer surveillance

October 30, 2024 | 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Virtual Event - Zoom Webinar
OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS   -  Health Service Providers, Clinic Owners, Administrators from the auto rehab sector of Ontario are all welcome to register!

How are private detectives used by insurance companies?

How has social media and emerging technologies influenced personal injury litigation?        

Anna Stoll and Christina Martin  share stories of battles won and lost, and what health service providers should know.

* This webinar will be recorded for all participants *

View More Details

Become an ORA Member

The Ontario Rehab Alliance memberships are for companies / organizations, as well as sole providers, who work within the auto insurance rehab sector across Ontario. Many of our members also provide private-paying rehabilitation services to their local communities as well.

When a company / organization becomes a member of the Ontario Rehab Alliance, the member benefits extend to the staff, so that they too can access our resources, events and advocacy task force groups, making the membership that more meaningful to a rehab team.

With our advocacy efforts ramping up this Fall 2024, consider becoming a member!

Join the ORA today!

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