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They actually backed down and the recommended cuts are officially off the table which is honestly just incredible news to wake up to. I still remember when this felt totally hopeless but look at what happens when nobody just stays quiet. We should keep an eye on how they handle …

June 18, 2009

Ontarians Against FSCO Recommendations for Auto Insurance

Ontarians Against FSCO Recommendations for Auto Insurance

🏆 Won — 4,457 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Someone
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Claudette C.
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James B.
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Someone
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Someone
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Someone
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Someone
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sandy k.
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Ibrahim I.
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Someone
+4,447 more
Started by Anonymous 17 years, 3 months ago
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario's (FSCO)"Report on the Five Year Review of Automobile Insurance", dated 31 March 2009, has been presented to the Minister of Finance. The Report contains recommendations to "improve the effectiveness and administration" of, among other things, Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS). The SABS are regulations under the Insurance Act, "purchased" with auto insurance policies, governing benefits for income replacement, medical and rehabilitation services, and attendant care. The FSCO recommendations will negatively impact access to rehabilitation for Ontarians injured in auto accidents. For example, FSCO recommends reducing the cap for medical and rehabilitation benefits for non-catastrophic claims from $100,000 to $25,000. The majority of injuries and impairments are deemed non-CAT, as the bar for reaching the CAT threshold is high and it often takes years before an individual is deemed CAT. For those requiring multidisciplinary rehab, the $25,000 limit will be exhausted within months. FSCO and the government believe that those requiring further rehab can be served under the OHIP. Many rehab services (e.g., physiotherapy), however, have been de-listed and others never covered (e.g., psychology). Without adequate rehab, many injured Ontarians will never return to independent living or gainful employment. They will be forced to access social programs, such as Ontario Works and ODSP to survive. If families cannot afford to purchase private rehab services, attendant care, or supervision, injured Ontarians may be forced into assisted-living centres or nursing homes. FSCO recommends physicians assume responsibility for assessment, referral to rehab services, monitoring of rehab progress, and the completion of insurance forms. Many Ontarians are without a family physician, and many physicians are disinclined to participate in the insurance process due to time constraints. This may result in a delay in access to treatment, which is linked to poorer outcomes. Currently, insurers can object to proposed treatment by conducting an Insurer Examination (IE). If the IE finds that proposed treatment is not reasonable or necessary, a healthcare provider can submit a Rebuttal Report. FSCO recommends revoking the right for Ontarians to rebut insurer decisions with respect to treatment funding. FSCO recommends caps on the costs of assessments, which will make it impossible for healthcare providers to meet the Standards of Practice set out by the regulatory Colleges. As a result, many clinicians will be unable to provide services to Ontarians injured in auto accidents. A shortage of healthcare providers will further delay access to treatment. We, the undersigned, ask the Minister of Finance to reject the FSCO recommendations.

Updates

May 6, 2009

I honestly cannot believe we hit twenty-five hundred signatures already because I remember typing this out late at night wondering if anyone would even care about these insurance caps. This is huge for us even if the bureaucracy probably thinks they can just sweep these dangerous changes under the rug while we are all busy with our real lives.

Reached 2,500 supporters

May 4, 2009

May 3, 2009

I just spent the last three hours reading through the stories you all are leaving in the comments and my head is spinning because it is honestly terrifying how easily one accident could ruin a person when these caps change. It makes me realize that we are talking about real lives here instead of just policy numbers in some dusty office building in Toronto so I am feeling more determined than ever to keep pushing even when the paperwork feels totally impossible.

May 1, 2009

I just looked at the screen and saw 1000 names which honestly feels surreal because I was just staring at a blank document not long ago thinking nobody would care about insurance caps at all. My coffee is cold and I have been refreshing the page way too much but knowing all of you understand why these rehab cuts are so dangerous makes the stress feel worth it.

Reached 1,000 supporters

April 28, 2009

Reached 100 supporters

April 26, 2009

8 Comments

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James Burley
12 years ago Featured

Sick of insurance companys making big profits on the back of injured or the hard working people of Ontario. This is bull shit. Somebody is hurt in an accident and not only suffer the rest of their lives and insurance companys give them nothing to cover even expenses. It about time the insurance companys are made to stand up to the plate and pay up instead of scooping the money and run. Act of god is a joke to just away to get out of paying. Thats lioke saying Joe next door caused the big storm. Nothing but smoke.

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David Bennett
17 years ago Featured

GREED. That is all this is. The gov needs to stop listening to the insurance lobby and start looking at the real lives being ruined here.

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Mike Mansour
17 years ago Featured

25k is a joke. Real rehab takes way longer than that. My cousin has been in physio for two years and he still cant work. This is just to save the insurance companies money.

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Linda Verma
17 years ago Featured

If they think OHIP covers this they clearly haven't tried getting an appointment lately. What a disaster.

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Kevin Rhodes
17 years ago Featured

Been there. Nothing scarier than running out of coverage while you still cant walk right. Keep the cap where it is.

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Sarah Ford
17 years ago Featured

Unbelievable. Why do we even pay premiums if they cut us off when we actually need help? Totally unfair.

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Anonymous
11 years ago

I think current government is not interested in protection of accident victims.

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Claudette Conrad
11 years ago

My MVA happened on September 2 2005 and I'm still in battle with State Farm for some justice & medical benefits. That's nine years folks. It was determined by the Federal Government that I was entitled to CPP Disability, however; like most MVA VICTIMS Insurance's are trying to paint me as a malingerer (LIAR)! I suffer from severe physical chronic pain, PTSD, Anxiety, hearing loss w/ tinnitus etc. My one shoulder is much higher than the other from chronic muscle spasms, my upper back has developed dowager hump. Guess you can soon call me "Quisimoto" but they really don't care. Folks it all comes down to profits & how IBC & the giant Insurance Industry has donated millions (of our money) to the government to do their dirty bidding. I have become a member of FAIR ASSOC. who has given me a mountain of information about thousands of other MVA victims. I've been through so much in my life and the Supreme Court has ordered that these giants must adhere to "you take a person as they come regarding accident insurance" so there you have it. Once you've been through such unbelievable pain, both physical & psychological, you become fearless. I'll fight these buggers to eventual trial if I have to. Too many Canadians give up the fight far too early and I feel more victims need to come forward. Most Sincerely, Claudette Conrad

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