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Ontario releases new Auto Insurance Regulations
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Ontario Releases new Auto Insurance Regulations
On March 2nd, the Government of Ontario released new auto insurance regulations that will come into effect on September 1st, 2010. This release includes a new Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) and various other regulation amendments. These regulatory amendments were anticipated and are a result of the 5 year review of auto insurance completed by the Government last year.
New regulations reflect the significant policy changes announced by the government in the spring of 2009. These include:
- Increased consumer choice by providing a reduced standard benefit package with expanded optional benefit.
- Reducing assessment requirements to reduce the proportion of benefits exhausted by assessments as opposed to treatment
- Simplification of the product and the claims approval procedures.
The regulations, including an overview of changes to the SABS, can be viewed on the Financial Services Commission of Ontario website.
Click here to view FSCO Bulletin & Regulations
The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists is working with other provider associations to analyze the new regulations and to identify key impacts on consumer access to benefits and professional practice in the auto insurance sector. OSOT and coalition representatives are sitting on a number of government working groups to ensure a smooth implementation of this new regulation. There will be new Accident Benefits Claim Forms including a revised Treatment Plan.
Key components of the regulatory changes that will be important to occupational therapists include;
The full implications of the regulatory changes are difficult to anticipate but OSOT identifies the following key components of interest to our members:
- Replacing the existing Pre-Approved Framework Guideline for Grade I and II Whiplash Associated Disorders with a new Minor Injury Guideline for accidents occurring on or after September 1, 2010.
- Capping medical/rehabilitation and assessment/examination expenses for minor injuries to $3,500.
- Reducing standard medical and rehabilitation coverage for non-catastrophic claims from $100,000 of $50,000 with the option to buy additional coverage.
- Offering standard attendant care coverage for non-catastrophic claims of $36,000, with optional coverage available
- Supplying optional caregiver, housekeeping and home maintenance benefits for non-catastrophic claimants – no longer in standard package.
- Capping assessment costs at $2,000 per assessment. – this applies for all assessments, whether they are requested by the claimant or insurer.
- Providing payment for in-home assessments only to claimants who have sustained more than a minor injury.
- Eliminating rebuttal examinations.
- Limiting Attendant Care assessments to Occupational Therapists and Registered Nurses
- Providing adjusters with discretion in the use of insurer examinations prior to adjudicating a claim.
OSOT Members should watch for regular email updates as information and interpretation of the new Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule becomes available.
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