Athlete Medical Resources

Canadian Athlete Insurance Plan (CAIP)
CAIP is well recognized in providing the most comprehensive insurance protection for sport accident and overuse injuries to Canada’s athletes.  In Canada coverage applies to physiotherapy, athletic therapy and massage therapy among other services.  To learn more about CAIP costs, coverage and claims, please click here.

To register for CAIP, please contact Amy Dearden at adearden (at) cscpacific.ca or 250-220-2531.

Athletes CAN
Athletes Canada offers a Medical and Dental plan to national team athletes registered with Athletes CAN. They offer competitive pricing, no medical forms necessary and easy monthly billing. Pricing ranges based on single or family enrolment and province of registration. For more information please view the following link: http://www.athletescan.com/programs-services/health-and-dental-plan/

Medical Services Plan (BC)
All residents of BC must enrol with MSP. This covers medically required services by physician, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures. If you are no longer enrolled under your parents MSP plan or under a work medical plan you must enrol with MSP and pay monthly premiums unless you qualify for premium assistance. If your net income is under $22,000, you will qualify for premium assistance. For MSP beneficiaries receiving premium assistance, MSP contributes $23 per visit for a combined annual limit of 10 visits each calendar year for the following services: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry. For further information please view the following link: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/index.html

Provincial Sport Organization or National Sport Organization’s Coverage
Many athletes are already registered to receive some medical and dental coverage for acute sporting injuries that occur during sanctioned events under their Provincial Sport Organization’s annual license fee, through such agencies as AllSport. Please check with your Provincial Sport Organization to see whether this applies to your sport and how to obtain a claims form.

University Medical Services
If you are a University or College registered athlete you have access to medical plans through your University Student Services. Many of these plans are comprehensive supplemental medical plans at discounted rates. For further information please contact your post-secondary institute’s student services.

Extended Health Plans
Athletes are encouraged to also explore the variety of supplemental health insurance plans available to the general public. Blue Cross, for example, is a widely used not for profit organization that offers a range of extended health care plans to suit every budget. Supplementary health coverage includes medical services andsupplies not covered by your provincial health care plans. This includes coverage for prescription drugs, medical equipment and supplies, select services from registered medical practitioners, vision care, dental care and more. For more detailed information on the range of plans and costs associated please see the Blue Cross website: http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/Corp/howbenefitswork/choosingaplan/whattoconsider-individual.aspx

Medical Diagnostic Services
CSC Pacific has developed partnerships with health care providers in all three major centers, Victoria, Vancouver, and Whistler to assist athletes requiring medical diagnostic services such as MRI's, or ultrasounds. Athletes must be referred by their personal or team physician. For further information on athlete pricing please contact Andree-Anne LeRoy at aleroy (at) cscpacific.ca or by telephone at (778) 327-4091.

Travel Insurance
As an athlete it is very important to carefully consider what medical coverage you have while travelling within Canada as well as Outside of Canada, as some travel insurance providers have stipulations regarding sporting injuries specifically. In addition, you may not be covered by your provincial medical provider for some medical procedures while travelling or living out of province. A popular source of travel insurance for athletes is BCAA as it offers inexpensive travel insurance that can be purchased on a multi-trip or single trip basis. Purchasing this coverage online will save you an additional 5%. Trip cancellation coverage is also available with BCAA. In addition, optional coverage is available for Professional Sports involvement and Motorized Speed Contest sports.

Fictional Athlete Example
Jane is a national team athlete based in BC who has recently graduated from University and is no longer covered under her parents’ medical plan. She qualifies for premium assistance with BC MSP since her net income is less than $22,000. If she purchases CAIP at the Gold Level ($285 annual fee) she would then receive acute injury coverage that extends the MSP coverage, such as transportation costs, accidental dental, accident reimbursement for crutches, lab exams etc. She would also receive reimbursement for treatments relating to overuse injuries while insured, such as massage, physiotherapy, orthotics etc. In order to get maximum coverage she has also enrolled in the AthletesCAN medical and dental program for $52 a month which covers prescription drugs, dental appointments and even some out of country coverage. So, for a total annual cost of approximately $900 Jane is well equipped for travel insurance, dental coverage, prescription fees, and treatment fees associated with overuse and acute injuries. 

Medical Products available to Podium and Canadian Elite Athletes

 

ColdFX™ is available to Podium and Canadian Elite athletes by request. Prior to using this product, we recommend that you discuss the appropriate use of this product with your physician, coach, or registered dietitian.  Literature providing information on methods to avoid illness and CCES avoiding banned substance will be provided with all product distributions.

Podium and Canadian Elite athetes have access to complimentary Pfizer product (Advil, Centrum Multi-Vitamins, Caltrate and Chapstick) by request.  Prior to using these products, we recommend that you discuss the appropriate usage with your doctor, coach or nutritionist.