P.C.A.H.A. 2006-2007 BULLETIN #23

DATE:

November 16, 2006.

TO:

The Presidents, PCAHA Member Associations/Leagues

FROM:

Iris Parkyn, PCAHA President

SUBJECT:

Travel Insurance and Games Versus USA Hockey Teams.

U.S. Travel Medical Insurance:

The PCAHA carries excess hospital/medical insurance to ensure that individuals travelling with a Canadian-based PCAHA team for sanctioned league/playoff, exhibition, or tournament games in the United States are covered for costs over and above Canadian government medical should they require emergency medical attention or hospitalization during the trip. All Canadian players, team officials, volunteers, and parents/siblings under age 69 of players travelling with the team are covered for travel and activities directly connected with the game(s). All insured persons must have Canadian government medical coverage in force to qualify.

To activate this policy, teams must have obtained proper sanction for the game(s) in question, including exhibition game number(s) or tournament permission from the team’s League Manager as well as permission from the BC Hockey District Director [see PCAHA Sections L(2), L(3), L(4), and L(5)]. Failure to obtain proper sanction for games in the United States will result in all insurance coverage being void.

Highlights of coverage are: $2,000,000 sum insured for emergency excess hospital/medical expenses; licensed local ambulance to the nearest medical facility; x-rays; out-patient services; prescription medication; up to $3,000 return of vehicle; subsistence allowance $250 per day; family transportation benefit up to $5,000; and child care benefit up to $2,500.

Exclusions: Coverage does not include extra days prior to or after the scheduled game(s); does not include persons over 68 years of age or less than 15 days old; and does not cover pregnancy, childbirth, or related complications. Other exclusions, deductions, and limitations may also apply. Additional insurance to cover extra days or excluded persons can be purchased through Whyte Insurance Services Ltd. (604-293-1561) or other insurance agents.

Hospitalization Claims: In the event any insured person requires hospitalization, immediately notify Medex Assistance Corporation at 1-800-527-0218 (toll-free, Canada and U.S.), quoting Group Number 7216. Where prior notification is not possible, Medex must be notified within 24 hours of admission to hospital and prior to any invasive surgery or diagnostic testing.

All Other Claims: For all other out-of-province claims, the insurer’s claims adjuster Maxwell Claims Services Inc. must be notified within thirty (30) days to initiate the claims process. Notification must be made in writing to Maxwell Claims Services Inc. at #301-2515 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6J 3J6; e-mail: info@maxwellclaims.net; toll free: 1-800-658-8668; fax: 604-683-5765. Some medical service providers (e.g. ambulance companies) may not bill for 4-6 weeks after the incident. If services or facilities have been utilized, do not wait until receipts or bills are received to report the incident to Maxwell Claims Services Inc.

This summary is intended only as an outline of the key features of the program, which is governed by the terms of the Group Insurance Policy underwritten by certain Lloyd’s Underwriters through BMS Specialty Risks Underwriting Managers Ltd. via Whyte Insurance Services Ltd. The wording of the Policy shall govern in all situations. If there are any questions about coverage, please contact Lynn Whyte or Laurie Kay of Whyte Insurance Services Ltd., at 604-293-1561.

Sanctioning Procedure - Games Versus USA Hockey Teams:

(a) Exhibition Games (Home or Away) - When a Canadian-based PCAHA team plays an exhibition game against a U.S.-based team, whether home or away, the following procedure applies:

1) The team Manager or Coach must first obtain an exhibition game number from the team’s PCAHA League Manager.

2) The team Manager or Coach must then contact Howard LeTroy, BC Hockey District Director (phone: 778-389-9045; fax: 1-866-380-1042; e-mail: hletroy@bchockey.org) to obtain BCH sanction.

(b) Scheduled League Games - The PCAHA has received BC Hockey approval to include certain Seattle Junior HA, Sno King AHA, Western Washington Female HA, and Whatcom County AHA teams in league schedules. No additional action by the teams is required.

(c) Tournaments in the U.S. - Any Canadian-based PCAHA team wishing to enter a tournament in the U.S. must first obtain a tournament permission number and form from its League Manager. The team must then fax the following information to Howard LeTroy, BC Hockey District Director (phone: 778-389-9045; fax: 1-866-380-1042; e-mail: hletroy@bchockey.org):

1) Copy of Permission to Enter Tournament/Jamboree form issued by PCAHA League Manager.
2) Letter from Association President confirming that the team has approval from its Association to enter the tournament.
3) Proof that the tournament is sanctioned by USA Hockey.
4) Information about the tournament (dates, host Association, location, format).
5) Copy of official team roster from HCR.

Howard LeTroy will then grant BC Hockey sanction. This process is summarized on the BC Hockey Out-of-Province Tournament Check List form, which is available on the Forms page.

(d) Tournaments in Canada - Participation by a USA Hockey member team in a BC Hockey-sanctioned tournament is handled as part of the tournament sanctioning process. Notification to the BC Hockey District Director is not required before a Canadian-based team may play a USA Hockey team in a sanctioned tournament within BC. (The team must still obtain a tournament permission number and form from its League Manager).

Please also note that a Canadian-based PCAHA team playing an exhibition game versus a Canadian team from outside BC Hockey (home or away) must also contact Howard LeTroy, and a team travelling to a tournament outside BC Hockey within Canada must also contact Howard LeTroy to receive BC Hockey sanction.

Please advise all team officials within your Association about the above sanctioning procedures.