BCAA Withdraws Medical Access Insurance

October 10, 2008

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BURNABY, B.C. — After consulting with a substantial portion of its membership, the British Columbia Automobile Association is ending its trial offering of medical access insurance.

BCAA had been hearing mixed opinions on the coverage from its members since offering it on a trial basis back in August, so it conducted a survey of 145,000 members to gauge their views.

Even though most members supported BCAA offering the insurance, president and chief executive officer Bill Bullis said it was paramount to consider the wide differences in opinion among members.

"Over the past week, we've heard a wide range of opinions on medical access insurance, everything from support and interest in purchasing, to passionate opposition," commented Bullis. "For us to continue offering this insurance product, the potential benefits to BCAA and our members would have to outweigh the negatives. In the end, we concluded it was not in the best interests of the association or the membership at large to continue offering this product."

Initially, the results of a previous survey prompted BCAA to begin offering the medical access insurance two months ago. The original survey suggested that a large majority of BCAA members would support the insurance and many indicated they would buy it.

"BCAA offered this product in response to a member need," added Bullis. "Many saw medical access insurance as a possible solution to the medical waiting list problem that exists in B.C.

"We have since learned that a significant number also strongly disagree with this approach," he continued. "Even though members aren't unified in the solution, it appears they are unified in recognizing there is a problem and wanting to see it addressed."

Officials noted that individuals who purchased medical access insurance policies through BCAA during this trial will be offered a full refund of their premiums.

AR Canada