Critical Illness

Competitive member rates 

Premiums are significantly discounted for physicians. Doctors of BC Insurance’s premium structure follows the concept of present value - paying less today is better than paying less in the future when the value of money has decreased. Rates are designed to be lowest in earlier years so you can invest more in your business and your family. Premiums slowly increase in five-year age bands as rising earnings and inflation continue to make premiums affordable. This premium structure differs from alternative individual plans which have level premiums that start at much higher rates.

Exclusive plan design 

The plan is specifically tailored for physicians. You can choose from various optional features to customize the plan based on your needs and budget. Over time, Doctors of BC has added new features and increased maximums to ensure you’re well protected.

Portability 

You may continue protection under critical illness Insurance anywhere in Canada or the US, or another country upon approval of the insurer, if you remain a Doctors of BC member. A nominal membership fee is charged if you are out-of-province.

Association support 

Doctors of BC is the leading insurance provider for doctors in the province and we are uniquely not-for-profit. Our commitment to members is reflected in many ways. An Insurance Committee, comprised of doctors like yourself, helps oversee the management of the plans to ensure they are protecting members well. A team of non-commissioned, licensed advisors are available to provide unbiased and expert advice. Additionally, if you are in the unfortunate circumstance of needing to make a claim, your association will be by your side to support you.

Coverage amount 

$50,000 - $500,000 of monthly lump sum benefit, in $10,000 increments.

Living benefit 

As long as you meet the conditions to receive a benefit payment, a benefit will be paid to you even if you make a full recovery.

Survival period 

You must survive the stated survival period–typically 30 days - of the covered condition to be eligible for benefits.

Covered conditions 

The plan covers the following conditions:

• Aortic surgery
• Aplastic anemia
• Bacterial meningitis
• Benign brain tumour**
• Blindness
• Cancer (life-threatening)**
• Coma
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Deafness
• Dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease
• Heart attack
• Heart valve replacement or repair
• Kidney failure
• Loss of independent existence
• Loss of limbs
• Loss of speech
• Major organ failure on waiting list
• Major organ transplant
• Motor neuron disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Occupational HIV infection
• Paralysis
• Parkinson's disease and specified atypical Parkinsonian disorders
• Severe burns
• Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

**Within 90 days following the effective date of coverage, there is no coverage for cancer and/or benign brain tumour if the insured had a diagnosis, symptom, or medical problem which initiated the investigation leading to a diagnosis of cancer and/or benign brain tumour.

Included features

Tax-free benefit amount 

You may spend or save the lump-sum tax-free benefit amount as you like. Critical Illness benefits are paid to you regardless of your ability to work, unlike disability insurance, which requires your doctor and insurer's assessment of your ability to work.

One-time proof of claim 

Once your covered condition is proven, you receive your benefit, regardless if you recover.

Optional features

Waiver of premium  

You’ll no longer pay premiums if you become totally disabled for six consecutive months or more before age 65. Coverage continues during your disability, up to the maximum age of the plan.

Coverage for dependent children 

You can add $5,000 to $20,000 of CI coverage (in units of $5,000) for your dependent child(ren).

• One premium covers (all) your eligible child(ren).
• In addition to the 25 covered illnesses (above), the following six child illnesses are covered:
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Down syndrome
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Type 1 Diabetes

Children who are born more than 90 days prior to the effective date of coverage or after 10 months of the effective date will automatically be eligible under the child rider. If you insure children outside of these parameters, you will be requested to provide evidence of insurability by completing a medical and lifestyle questionnaire on behalf of the child. If evidence of insurability is not provided, benefits will not be paid if:

• the child is diagnosed with any covered critical illness condition; or
• the child has any signs, symptoms or investigations that lead to a diagnosis of a covered critical illness condition within five years of the child's birth.

You are eligible to apply for this coverage if you are:

• A member of Doctors of BC or the Yukon Medical Association.
• A Canadian resident.
• Between the ages of 18 to 65.

Your spouse is eligible to apply for this coverage if they are:

• Your spouse by marriage or other formal union recognized by law, or has been publicly represented as your spouse for at least the previous 12 months.
• A Canadian resident.
• Between the ages of 18 to 65.

Evidence of insurability may be required.

Special offer 

You and your spouse are eligible for a one-time offer of $50,000 critical illness insurance without evidence of insurability within 90 days of one of the following events:

• Becoming a new Doctors of BC member for the first time.
• Completion of medical school.
• Completion of a residency program.
• Marriage or eligible common-law relationship, birth or legal adoption of a child.

Coverage obtained through this special offer will not cover any critical illness that occurs within 24 months of your insured person’s effective date of coverage, and that results from any injury, sickness or medical condition for which you:

• had symptoms, consulted a physician or other health care practitioner; or
• was provided any health-related care, advice or treatment; or
• that a reasonably prudent person with such injury, sickness or medical condition would have consulted a physician or any other health care practitioner.

Get a quote.

Application process

Complete the critical illness online form to apply.

Upon submitting your e-application, our insurance team may email you if clarification is required. Once your application is in good order, you will be requested to provide your signature via DocuSign. Your application is then forwarded to the insurer for review.

Evidence of insurability - proof of good health and/or financial documentation - is required unless you are eligible for a special offer (see Eligibility). After submission of your application, you will be contacted by Manulife’s paramedical provider, Dynacare, to complete a telehealth interview. 

Depending on your age, health and the amount of coverage being applied for, you may be contacted to provide additional evidence such as a blood and urine sample, vitals, paramedical exam, or ECG. The insurer may request an attending physician's statement from your doctor. 

Depending on the complexity of your application and the time it takes to gather the medical requirements, it may take the insurer 1-3 months to provide a decision.

Book a free consultation

A licensed, non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance Advisor can assess your situation and give you personalized recommendations and quotes. Contact an advisor.

Learn more

Read the critical illness insurance plan brochure.

Definitions of each of the covered illnesses

Contact insurance@doctorsofbc.ca to get detailed definitions of each of the 25 covered illnesses and six additional child illnesses.

See Make a Claim for step-by-step instructions.