World Access Travel Emergency Assistance Helpline

If you should have an unforeseen medical emergency while traveling outside your Canadian province of residence, ARTA's Extended Health Care with Travel Plan provides assistance through the services of World Access Inc. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Eligible International Travel Emergency Medical Expenses* incurred due to an accident or sudden illness while traveling outside your province of residence will be reimbursed at 100% to a lifetime maximum of $1,000,000 ($C) per person for trips up to 60 days. (Supplemental coverage is available for trips longer than 60 days). There are no pre-existing condition limitations and medical evidence of insurability is not required as long as you enroll in ARTA's Plan within 60 days of losing your prior group coverage.
* Please refer to ARTA's Extended Health Care Certificate of Insurance for more details.

For Out-of-Province/Can Emergency Medical Claims call World Access ASAP within 48 hours: In Canada/USA Toll-free 1-800-249-6556 In other Countries Collect (519) 742-6683 Fax (519) 742-8553

Warning: Prior approval must be obtained from World Access to guarantee payment of your eligible claim expenses. If World Access is not contacted within 48 hours of the

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emergency, payments will be limited to $2,000. Following the emergency treatment of a medical condition during a trip, World Access, in consultation with your physician will determine if you must return to your province of residence for continued treatment.

ARTA Wellness Initiative
Until recently the Benefits Committee's primary activity has been to manage ARTA's Extended Health and Dental Insurance Programs. The Board of Directors has amended the Committee's role to permit its members to develop a wellness proposal. The Committee recognizes the importance of supporting its members by offering a program that encourages the improvement of their well-being and quality of life. In investigating the wellness concept and the prospect of offering a program to our members, the Benefits Committee's objective is to facilitate our members living healthier longer.

Deteriorating health and its resulting increased demand on our ARTA Benefits Program is an inevitable consequence of aging, but this demand can be reduced substantially if we can help improve the health of our members. The onset of age related illnesses cannot be averted completely, however, their impact can be reduced and delayed by improving members' health.
Some aspects of wellness that are being investigated include:

Age appropriate physical fitness: encouraging physical activity that addresses the specific needs of an older population: muscle strength building, endurance, balance, mobility, flexibility, the effect of exercise on medications, and osteoporosis.
Weight management.
Nutrition education.
Facilitating peer interaction.

The committee is looking for ARTA members who are interested in participating in the development of our wellness program. If you would like to volunteer, please call the ARTA office at 1-800-232-7208.