April 13, 2020
We would like to provide our clients in British Columbia with an update regarding your pandemic claims coverage and the claims process as it stands today.
CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. (CDSPI) acts as your insurance broker, while Aviva Insurance Company of Canada (Aviva) is the insurance underwriter.
Aviva has informed us that the pandemic coverage under the TripleGuard™ insurance policy is activated only where there is a Provincial Order in place by the government to shut down dental offices. Non-Governmental Orders or direction from a dental association (BCDA) or dental regulatory body (CDSBC), are not sufficient to meet the requirements of the contract of insurance with Aviva.
BC compared to other provinces
Based on provincial government orders, Aviva is accepting pandemic claims from dentists in all Canadian provinces, except BC. Their position is that the BC government’s current instructions for British Columbia dentists are not sufficient to trigger pandemic coverage under the plan. The absence of required wording puts BC dentists in a completely unfair and aggreged position. Please be assured that CDSPI is working very closely with the BCDA at the most senior levels of government to seek a swift resolution to the situation.
Next Steps
If you have already submitted your initial claims form, there is no further action required on your part. We have your information and will proceed once the situation is resolved.
If you have not already submitted your initial claims information, please call us at 1.800.561.9401 or email claims@cdspi.com so that we can forward your file to Aviva when the situation is resolved.
This is very difficult news to convey to our long-standing BC clients. Rest assured that CDSPI leadership is working around the clock with the BCDA to find a positive resolution.
CDSPI will continue to advocate on your behalf to provide you with updates as new information becomes available. BCDA will communicate directly with members on their actions to resolve this issue.
Thank you for your patience.
Be well and stay safe.
Ed Dermit
President