Because if you need it and don't have it... it's too late!
Especially if you don’t have an employer to pay for your benefits. And your provincial plan covers doctor visits, physician fees—it doesn’t cover many of the things that keep you or get you healthy.
People with health insurance tend to be more proactive in managing their health.
Be responsible. It may not be just about you—protect your family from financial hardships.
Having a health insurance plan is a manageable way to handle some of your health care costs. You don’t want to use your retirement/investment savings on medical expenses. Think of it as a down payment on your health.
If you’re self-employed your medical premiums (and expenses) could be written-off as a business expense.
Simple.
We give you the coverage you need - minus the confusion
There are 2 program options to choose from. Standard or Comprehensive, both Programs come with:
Reimbursement Percentage for Each Insured Person 70%* of drug cost Annual Maximum for Each Insured Person $400 AFBS Drug Formula The AFBS prescription drug formulary will be used to settle all drug claims *We cover ingredient costs only. Ingredient costs cover usual and customary costs. They do not include "dispensing fees"
For those Members who reside in Québec the requirements of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) will take precedence.
Reimbursement Percentage for Each Insured Person 70%* of drug cost Annual Maximum for Each Insured Person Year 1: $1,000 Year 2: $2,000 Associate Program $3,000 AFBS Drug Formula The AFBS prescription drug formulary will be used to settle all drug claims *We cover ingredient costs only. Ingredient costs cover usual and customary costs. They do not include "dispensing fees"
For those Members who reside in Québec the requirements of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) will take precedence.
Reimbursement Percentage for Each Insured Person 70% Annual Maximum for each Insured Person $5,000* Annual Maximum for each Insured Person for Vision/Paramedical Care $350*Maximum includes benefits paid for Vision/Paramedical Care
Reimbursement Percentage for each Insured Person Year One:70% Year Two:70% Associate Program70% Annual Maximum for each Insured Person Year One:$7,500* Year Two:$7,500* Associate Program$7,500* Annual Maximum for each Insured Person for Vision/Paramedical Care Year One:$500 Year Two:$500 Associate Program$750 *Maximum includes benefits paid for Vision/Paramedical Care
Reimbursement Percentage for each Insured Person 50% Annual Maximum for each Insured Person $400 combined all services
Reimbursement Percentage for each Insured Person Year One:50% Year Two:50% Subsequent Years:%50 Annual Maximum for each Insured Person Year one:$800 Year Two:$800 Subsequent Years:$1,250 Basic Services Year one:$300 Year Two:$300 Subsequent Years:$500 Major Services (crowns, bridges, dentures) including Periodontal (gum disease) and Endodontic (root canal) Year one:$500 Year Two:$500 Subsequent Years:$750
Prescription Drug
| Standard | Comprehensive | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Years | Year One | Year Two | Associate Program | |||||
| Reimbursement Percentage for each Insured Person | 70%* of drug cost | 70%* of drug cost | 70%* of drug cost | 70%* of drug cost | ||||
| Annual Maximum for each Insured Person | $400 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||||
| AFBS Drug Formulary | The AFBS prescription drug formulary will be used to settle all drug claims | The AFBS prescription drug formulary will be used to settle all drug claims | ||||||
*We cover ingredient costs only. Ingredient costs cover usual and customary costs. They do not include "dispensing fees".
For those Members who reside in Québec the requirements of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) will take precedence.
Extended Health Care (including Vision/Paramedical Care)
| Standard | Comprehensive | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Years | Year One | Year Two | Associate Program | |||||
| Reimbursement Percentage for each Insured Person | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | ||||
| Annual Maximum for each Insured Person | $5,000* | $7,500* | $7,500* | $7,500* | ||||
| Annual Maximum for each Insured Person for Vision/Paramedical Care | $350 | $500 | $500 | $750 | ||||
*Maximum includes benefits paid for Vision/Paramedical Care
Dental Care
| Standard | Comprehensive | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Years | Year One | Year Two | Associate Program | |||||
| Reimbursement Percentage for each Insured Person | 50% | 60% | 60% | 60% | ||||
| Annual Maximum for each Insured Person | $800 | $800 | $1,250 | |||||
| Basic Services | $400 combined all services | $300 | $300 | $500 | ||||
| Major Services (crowns, bridges, dentures) including Periodontal (gum disease) and Endodontic (root canal) | $500 | $500 | $750 | |||||
Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Access to coverage and the amount of coverage is based on your age as indicated in the table below.
This benefit is only for the member – dependants are not covered for this benefit.
| Standard | Comprehensive | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Term Life | AD&D | Group Term Life | AD&D | ||
| Age at Annual Renewal | |||||
| 16 - 64 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 | |
| 65 - 69 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | |
| 70 - 75 | $5,000 | Not covered | $5,000 | Not covered | |
If you have an accident or become ill outside your province of residence, your provincial health care program may not cover all your medical bills, even when travel is within Canada.
The Travel Emergency Medical benefit has been designed to cover many of the types of expenses that can occur when a medical emergency occurs while away from home.
This benefit is made available through iA Financial Group who is the provider of this benefit. Additional details are available below.
If your scheduled trip is more than the allotted number of days, you need to purchase separate travel emergency medical coverage as a top-up or extension of this policy.
While there is no limit to the number of trips you can take throughout the year, you must be home for three or more days between trips, otherwise multiple trips will be considered a single trip. Day 1 starts at 12:01am on the day following arrival home.
The Member and Family Assistance Program (MFAP) benefit, provided by Kii Health (pronounced “key”), reflects AFBS’ continuing commitment to the physical and emotional well-being of our membership. Through the MFAP, help is available to Members and their dependants to assist in resolving the physical and mental challenges that can interfere with their lives and work. You can expect professional, confidential, and timely support for any health, work, or life challenges you and your dependants may be facing.
Access to the program is available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year via toll-free confidential telephonic access at 1.866.814.0018 or via an online secure web-based portal at kiihealth.ca.
The program consists of:
Coverage Amount Access to coverage and the amount of coverage is based on your age as indicated in the table belowThis benefit is only for the member – dependants are not covered for this benefit. Age at Renewal Under age 65: Group Term Life: $10,000 AD&D: $10,000 Under age 65 to 69: Group Term Life: $5,000 AD&D: $5,000 Under age 70 to 75: Group Term Life: $5,000 AD&D: Not covered
Coverage Amount Access to coverage and the amount of coverage is based on your age as indicated in the table belowThis benefit is only for the member – dependants are not covered for this benefit. Age at Renewal Under age 65: Group Term Life: $10,000 AD&D: $20,000 Under age 65 to 69: Group Term Life: $5,000 AD&D: $10,000 Under age 70 to 75: Group Term Life: $5,000 AD&D: Not covered
If you have an accident or become ill outside your province of residence, your provincial health care program may not cover all your medical bills, even when travel is within Canada.
The Travel Emergency Medical benefit has been designed to cover many of the types of expenses that can occur when a medical emergency occurs while away from home.
This benefit is made available through iA Financial Group who is the provider of this benefit. Additional details are available below.
*The policy is null and void if you schedule or extend a trip beyond a 90 day duration, regardless of whether the extended period is insured by other parties.
**The policy is null and void if you schedule or extend a trip beyond a 30 day duration, regardless of whether the extended period is insured by other parties.
The Member and Family Assistance Program (MFAP) benefit reflects a continuing commitment to the physical and emotional well-being of our membership. Through the Member and Family Assistance Program, offered by Lifeworks, confidential help is available to members and their families to assist with resolving the personal problems that can interfere with their lives and work, including:
Counselling Services, provided on a voluntary, confidential and short-term basis either in person, online or by telephone; and
Work/Life Services which can include telephone and/or text-based resources either online or printed material in a wide-ranging number of areas including:
Accessible.
Guaranteed Acceptance. We won’t ask you about your medical history.
You Are
...if you’re associated with a Participating Organization or meet the definition of an artist, and
...if you're under 71 years of age, and
...if you live in Canada at the time coverage becomes effective and you have a valid Provincial Health Card.
Your family can be covered too.
Participating Organizations
Affordable.
Need accessible, affordable insurance?
We’ve got it.
Joining is Easy.
Apply online in minutes!
Simple.
Just click the Enroll button below.
Contact the Writers' Coalition Program administrator at AFBS if you have any questions about the Enrollment Form or the application process.
If you would like to take the process offline, you can access the Enrollment Forms here: Standard Program Form or Comprehensive Program Form.
Please note: AFBS does not sell or provide member information to outside organizations, and will never solicit your personal information or financial information by phone or email. For further information, please see Protecting Your Privacy.
For Writers.
We only insure those in the writing community.
Artists Helping Artists
The Writers' Coalition Program is offered by AFBS, an insurance provider not focused on profit, serving performers and writers. As an organization, we understand the unique needs of people who earn their living through their creativity and only insure those working in the artistic community. We’re committed to the continued development of a program that works for the community.
How it all started
Canadian author, social activist and past chair of the Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC), Susan Swan found herself musing on the fact that access to an affordable health care safety net – something enjoyed by salaried workers in the private and public business sector – was denied to too many people in the creative and artistic world. The results of her conversations and considerations ultimately led to a dialogue with AFBS, about underwriting a benefits program for the writing community. AFBS launched The Writers’ Coalition Program in 2009 and the Arts & Entertainment Plan® followed in 2011. Both are the first Canadian health insurance plans specifically geared towards self-employed artists and writers.
Who is AFBS?
FAQ.
100% Canadian. We are a national program, from coast to coast.
Application/Enrollment
The Standard program is available for new applicants age 70 and under and is renewable for those who have been insured prior to age 70.
The Comprehensive program is available for new applicants age 64 and under and is renewable for those who have been insured prior to age 64.
No, if you would like to apply offline simply print an Enrollment form and mail, scan or fax it in with your payment (be sure to sign and date it).
No, your coverage will start the first of the following month in which you apply (and only after you've been approved and premium has been collected). During the online enrollment process, your effective date of coverage will be noted and you will receive information on next steps.
No. When a plan is chosen, each family member must be covered by the same plan.
No, your provincial health care plan provides in-hospital care and doctor’s fees which are not covered through the Writers' Coalition Program. It is very important that you always keep your provincial health care benefits in place.
You would apply as a couple paying the lower rate.
As long as we know when your other benefits are terminating we’ll try to ensure that there is no lapse in coverage. Your benefits under the Writers' Coalition Program will commence on the 1st of the month following receipt and approval. We’ll need your completed application and premium payment in advance of your termination in order to avoid any lapse. Depending on when your other insurance terminates you might have some duplication of coverage for a short while. Contact us to discuss your particular scenario.
Yes. This is a guaranteed acceptance plan – no medical questionnaires need to be filled out.
If we receive your application and payment on or before the last of the month (and it has been approved), your benefits will be effective the first (1st) day of the following month.
If you’re a member of a company that provides group benefits and you leave that company, you may be able to join the Comprehensive program at Year 3 levels (Subsequent years). Call for more details.
Benefits
You may upgrade/downgrade between plan options however, this must happen at your renewal date and, you must satisfy the 12 month period in which your original contract was issued. Also, if your move is an upgrade to the Comprehensive program, you must satisfy the 2 year lock-in provision. This means once you make the move it is a 24 month commitment under your new plan option.
No, this is a group plan and increasing the duration or changing the benefits is not possible.
If for any reason the coverage is not as expected, send us a written request to cancel your benefits within 31 days of its issue date. When your written cancellation request is received, any premium paid will be refunded and no claims will be honoured. All of AFBS' obligations and liabilities under the benefits included on the Certificate of Insurance, as well as access to the Travel Emergency Medical benefit and Member and Family Assistance Program, will end immediately. However, if claims have been paid under your plan, your cancellation request becomes null and void, you would have to wait until the end of your benefit year.
Claims
Many prescription drug and dental claims can be processed immediately at your pharmacy or dentist’s office. Be sure to provide your pharmacist and dental office with your group number and certificate number which can be found on your welcome letter included as part of your enrollment package. When claims are processed at your pharmacy you’ll find in many instances that you only pay your portion of the costs. And when dental claims can be processed electronically through your dental office your reimbursement will be on its way to you immediately. Make sure you have confirmation on whether your prescription or dental expense was adjudicated electronically.
Sometimes electronic adjudication is not possible and in these situations or when you are submitting an extended health care claim your expense receipt must be submitted to AFBS for reimbursement. Generally, once all of the pertinent information has been received at AFBS your claim will be adjudicated within 10 business days.
Once you submit a claim, whether it was handled electronically or by submission, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) which details what was processed and the amount of any reimbursement. You will want to keep this document for income tax purposes or to coordinate benefits with another insurer. When you submit a claim and it is processed manually, in most cases the EOB will be accompanied with a cheque however, if there is no payment you will just receive the EOB.
Premiums
Terminology
Refers to the 12 month period from the date your benefits commence. For example, if your benefits start November 1st your benefit year would be November 1st to October 31st.
Natural children, stepchildren, common law children or legally adopted children.
The applicant and his/her married or common-law spouse/partner or a single parent with one child who qualifies as a dependant.
Spouse/partner and/or unmarried children (as defined above), under age 18. Note: Children between 18-26 may be covered as a dependent if they are in school or are disabled or handicapped.
The applicant and his/her spouse or common-law spouse/partner and any children who qualify as a dependant or a single parent with 2 or more children who qualify as dependants.
Products that contain medical ingredients identical to the original brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, administration, quality, performance and intended use. Generic drugs may be produced and marketed after the brand name drug’s patent has expired.
Any treatment, service or supply which is generally accepted by the medical profession as essential, effective and appropriate in the care and treatment of a medical condition, sickness or injury.
