What do the medical conditions on the MEDICAL DECLARATION for Visitors to Canada mean?
1. DEMENTIA means a general decline in all areas of mental ability. People are familiar with Alzheimer Disease, but there are a host of other conditions that can result in dementia. It occurs in roughly 10% of people over age 65 and rises to 20% in the over age 75 group. Common causes include circulatory problems which are more common in people with diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), hypertension (high blood pressure) and are often the result of chronic circulatory insufficiency or stroke. Other causes are brain trauma, brain tumors, infection, alcoholism and severe hypothyroidism.

Symptoms include loss of the ability to remember new or recent events, while often maintaining the ability to recall remote or past details. Another symptom may be sudden emotional outbursts or exhibiting behavior that might normally embarrass a person.

Dementia may be associated with depression. Alternatively some people who are very depressed may appear to be demented.

2. CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE means the heart no longer is able to meet the body need for blood because it is pumping inefficiently. It can be related to hypertension (high blood pressure), anemia (low blood count), hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), heart valve problems, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), coronary artery disease (angina or previous heart attack), cardiomyopathy (diseases of heart muscle), conditions that prevent circulation through the lungs like chronic bronchitis, emphysema as well as other disorders.

Symptoms of Heart Failure may include: fatigue, lack of energy, shortness of breath (with or without exertion or exercise), wakening at night with breathlessness, wheezing, coughing or sweating and swelling of the ankles or legs.

3. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULOMONARY DISEASE (COPD) or Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema are lung problems that are associated with tobacco smoking, exposure to some environmental or workplace substances and in some cases chronic asthma. Symptoms include recurrent cough, shortness of breath and fatigue.

4. OSTEOPOROSIS is a condition that results in loss of the elements that make bones strong. As a result the bones may become brittle and that can result in broken or fractured bones even with very minor trauma. Osteoporosis is a normal part of aging but not all people lose bone strength at the same rate. Women tend to be affected more than men. In addition to old age, and in women estrogen deficiency associated with menopause, other causes of osteoporosis include long term use of corticosteroids (cortisone for conditions like asthma, chronic bowel disease, arthritis), Cushing Disease (overactive adrenal glands) and prolonged immobility/bedrest. It is more common in heavy smokers and drinkers as are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
In many cases the first symptom of osteoporosis is a broken bone, often after a fall that you normally might not think would have caused a fracture. The bones most commonly fractured are the forearm/wrist, the hip and the spine bones (vertebrae). Sometimes a spine bone will kind of crumble or become compressed. This can lead to a progressive loss of height and if nerves are irritated back pain.

On the Visitor to Canada plan, What is an Aggregate Policy Limit?
Please make sure you indicate the Aggregate Policy Limit when completing the Application. Each person insured under the policy is entitled to claim up to a maximum of the policy limit (including each insured under family coverage). You cannot select different limits for different insureds under the policy. If different limits are required, separate policies should be written.

On the Visitor to Canada plan, does an insured age 70-79 who is completely healthy have to pay the higher Table 2 rates for Stable Chronic Condition coverage?
No, someone in this age group who is in good health and has no chronic conditions can choose to waive Stable Chronic Condition coverage if he does not feel he needs it. When completing the application, the agent must check the appropriate box on the application to waive this option.

CAUTION: When this option is waived, there is NO COVERAGE for pre-existing conditions whether they are stable or not. We DO NOT recommend that this option be waived if the applicant is taking any medications or receiving any treatment. Of course, applicants in this age group who cannot answer "NO" to both questions on the Medical Declaration have no choice but to waive the Stable Chronic Condition option because they are not eligible for it.

How can I request a premium refund?
You can request a premium refund by faxing or mailing to our office:

>A copy of the insurance policy
>Payment information
>Confirmation* of early return or reason for cancellation

* examples of "confirmation" include a photocopy of airline ticket, a signed letter from the insured or the sponsor, or confirmation that the insured has obtained Provincial Plan coverage.