All members that are properly registered with Hockey Manitoba are covered by the Hockey Canada Insurance program. This plan is designed to provide coverage for those who might otherwise not be covered by any other group health insurance plan. It can also serve as a supplement to other similar coverage an individual or family may hold, to achieve maximum allowable coverage. It is not applicable as an addition when another plan’s coverage meets or exceeds the allowable amount. If you have primary insurance you must make a claim to them first. If you have maximized those benefits you need to send in documentation to Hockey Manitoba verify this. You can then claim any additional expense through Hockey Canada.
This program augments Provincial, Medical and Hospital plans while covering players, coaches, referees and other designated volunteers against accidents that occur during participation in a Hockey Canada/Branch sanctioned activity.
It is the responsibility of the injured person (or parent if under the age of 18) to submit the report. If there are any issues or further information this is who will be contacted.
- Hockey Canada/Branch sanctioned events (league games, tournaments, practices, training camps, sanctioned fundraisers) when playing member teams only!
- Transportation directly to and from the arena or venue.
- Accommodations while billeted or at a hotel during a Hockey Canada/Branch sanctioned hockey activity.
#1 - SECURE a Hockey Canada Injury Report Form from your team or Minor Hockey Association.
#2 - COMPLETE the form in its entirety. Have your team official complete the team section and your Doctor/Dentist complete the back of the form.
#3 - SUBMIT the fully completed form to your Branch office (along with any receipts or invoices) within 90 days of the date of injury.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Only Injury Report Forms received in the Branch office within 90 days of the date of injury will be accepted. Forms must be completed in their entirety or the forms will be returned.
- If you do not send any receipts/invoices you will not get a response. Your claim will remain open for 365 days. It is up to you to submit the appropriate paperwork for reimbursement.
- Only original receipts and/or invoices are acceptable (If originals have been forwarded to a primary insurer, copies are acceptable). DO NOT FAX IN CLAIMS
- Hockey Manitoba recommends that members pay ambulance invoices and request personal reimbursement. Hockey Canada will not cover any late charges to these invoices and the reimbursement process can take some time.
- Hockey Canada is strictly a supplemental insurer. If you have access to any other insurance, you MUST pursue your claim through them first. Hockey Canada shall cover those costs not covered by your primary insurance to our policy limits.
- For all teams travelling to the USA for sanctioned tournaments/games: All players MUST have some form of primary insurance to be eligible for Hockey Canada’s supplemental insurance
- To all teams acquiring players from the USA: all USA players MUST have primary insurance coverage to be eligible for Hockey Canada’s supplemental insurance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON COVERAGE, POLICY LIMITS AND ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE INSURANCE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BRANCH OFFICE.
1 - What is the deadline to file my insurance claim?
A fully completed injury report form must be received by the Hockey Manitoba office within 90 days of the injury. This will only be accepted if it is completed in full, if not, it will be returned. Once the completed injury report is received, a claim will remain open for 365 days from the date of the injury.
2 - Where and how do I submit my claim?
Claims must be sent to the Hockey Manitoba office. We will verify them and then submit them to Hockey Canada.
Claims can be sent in via email to info@hockeymanitoba.ca – if submitting via email please make sure all documents are clear and in one attachment.
Claims can also be sent via Canada Post or dropped off at our office:
Hockey Manitoba
145 Pacific Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2Z6
3 - I submitted an injury report, but it was returned to me, what do I do?
Claims will be returned for one of two reasons, in either scenario it will be accompanied by a letter that explains why:
- The injury report form is incomplete or filled out incorrectly. The missing/incorrect information will be highlighted. This needs to be completed and then the report can be returned. This must happen within 90 days of the injury.
- The injury does not qualify for coverage. This is usually because the claim was submitted beyond the 90-day limit or because it was with a hockey program that is not covered by Hockey Manitoba/Canada.
4 - I don’t have all my invoices/receipts yet, can I still send in my claim?
Yes. As long as the two pages of the injury report are completed you can submit the claim. The injury report needs to be submitted, within 90 days of the injury. If it is received within that timeframe, a claim will be opened to which you can add additional documents/invoices/receipts/etc. for up to 365 days of the injury.
5 - I have a claim open but need to submit additional paperwork, what do I do?
Additional paperwork can be submitted for up to 365 days from the date of the injury. Make sure your name is on the documents and submit them as outlined in question 2.
6 - What does primary and secondary coverage mean?
Hockey Canada coverage is secondary in nature. This means that if you have any primary coverage (Blue Cross, Canada Life, etc.) you are required to submit your expenses to them first. Once they have been maxed out, you can submit what is left over, along with your Explanation of Benefits, to Hockey Canada for coverage. If you do not have any primary coverage, you can submit directly to Hockey Canada. If you are non-resident playing in Canada, you must have primary insurance. You also need primary insurance if your team is travelling outside of Canada to play.
7 - Can a physiotherapist fill out the physician’s statement?
No. The Physician’s Statement found on the second page of the injury report must be completed by a licensed Physician or Chiropractor.
8 - What if my treatment is going to take longer than 365 days?
In some instances, Hockey Canada will provide an extension. This is granted on a case-by-case basis and usually only done when there are multiple steps to a treatment that requires specific healing time in between each step. The majority of extensions are granted for dental claims. If you think you may need an extension, you will need to submit a letter from your Doctor/Dentist that outlines the treatment plan and the time frame. This must be submitted prior to the expiration of the 365-day claim.
9 - What sort of coverage do we have for injuries?
Any properly registered participant (player, coach/bench staff, or official) has a maximum claim benefit of $5000. Of this amount, $750 can be used toward rehabilitation therapy (physiotherapy, athletic therapy, massage, Chiropractic, etc.). This treatment must be prescribed by a Physician. There is also $1250 per tooth to a maximum of $3000 worth of dental coverage. Other coverage could include the rental of rehabilitation equipment, ambulance bills, prescription medication, loss of wages, etc. For more information you can contact the Hockey Manitoba office.
10 - The paramedics/doctors had to cut off my equipment. Is there coverage for this?
No, unfortunately there is no coverage to replace equipment, jerseys, etc.
11 - I play adult rec hockey, do I have coverage?
Adult rec hockey is not sanctioned by Hockey Manitoba, therefore there is no coverage. Canlan (Highlander) hockey is covered by Hockey Canada, but claims would have to be submitted through Canlan, not through Hockey Manitoba.
12 - I sent my claim in, but I have not heard anything back yet.
If you have only sent in an injury report but have not included any expenses, there will be no response. If you have sent in expenses for reimbursement this usually takes about six weeks. If you have indicated on the injury report that you have primary coverage, you must also send the Explanation of Benefits with the receipts/invoices in order to qualify for reimbursement.
13 - I don’t have any primary coverage, should I pay up front or get them to bill directly to Hockey Manitoba/Canada?
You can get your service provider to bill directly to Hockey Manitoba/Hockey Canada however it is recommended that you pay up front and seek personal reimbursement. There are cases where there are follow up appointments, and/or information that is required, it can take some time to get payment and Hockey Canada will not cover any associated late fees.
14 - My team is travelling outside of Manitoba, are we covered?
For any travel outside of the province you will require a Travel Permit. For travel to anywhere in Canada, the coverage remains the same. If your team is travelling to the United States, all individuals must have primary coverage in order to qualify for the Hockey Canada coverage.
Further information on coverage, policy limits and additional features of the Insurance Program can be found in the “Safety Requires Teamwork & Safety for all” document.
Special Events
There are opportunities for Minor Hockey Associations/Junior teams to host events that require additional sanctioning which are considered “Special Events”. A “Special Event” would be defined as any situation in which individuals that are not members of your MHA/approved roster are participating in an event with your MHA/team. This does not include players that are affiliated. If an individual that is not a member of your team participates in any sanctioned activities, it could comprise the sanction of the event and the insurance of every participant, so we use these Special Event Requests to track whom is participating when they are not listed on the roster for the program they are participating with.
If your MHA/team is hosting a special event, a Special Event Request must be completed and submitted to the Hockey Manitoba office for approval.
If you have multiple special events of the same nature that will occur throughout the season, you do not need a Special Event for each occasion. For example, if you have a skills coach coming to help your U13 team throughout the year you can use one application and have the date range of “2022 -2023 season U13 practices”.
As per Hockey Manitoba Regulation K. 72. Hockey Manitoba does not sanction off-ice activities such as fundraisers, non-hockey athletic events, and events involving alcohol. Special Event Request for activities of this nature will not be approved.
Completed Special Event Request forms should be sent to info@hockeymanitoba.ca.
Examples of reasons you would need a Special Event Request are listed below, it is important to note that this list does not include every situation and if you are ever in doubt, your best bet is to just submit the application or contact the Hockey Manitoba office.
Skills Coaches: when someone has been hired assist with practices occasionally or provide a specialized session (ex: goaltender skills coach). If this person is participating more than once a week, they will not qualify under “Special Event” and would need to be added to your roster and properly certified for their position. Anyone that does qualify for Special Event approval would be required to provide your team with a completed Child Abuse Registry Check.
Flag Bearers: when a Junior team has children from the local Minor Hockey Association(s) come out on the ice for O Canada with the team. This can only be for individuals that are properly registered with a Hockey Manitoba Minor Hockey Association. PLAYERS MUST BE IN FULL EQUIPMENT. Players registered with Manitoba Sledge Hockey would also be eligible for this and would be required to adhere to the equipment regulations for that sport. It would be the responsibility of the Junior team to apply for the special event as they are the ones hosting the players.
Intermission Scrimmage/Shoot Out: when a Junior team has children from the local Minor Hockey Association(s) come out on the ice at intermission to scrimmage or a few players come out to have a shoot out on the backup goalie of the Junior team. This can only be for individuals that are properly registered with a Hockey Manitoba Minor Hockey Association. PLAYERS MUST BE IN FULL EQUIPMENT. Scrimmages for U7 teams must be cross-ice, and for U9 teams must be half-ice. Players registered with Manitoba Sledge Hockey would also be eligible for this and would be required to adhere to the equipment regulations for that sport. It would be the responsibility of the Junior team to apply for the special event as they are the ones hosting the players.
Shoot to Win: when individuals from the crowd are selected to participate in a shoot to win game at intermission. This can only happen when there are no other individuals (players, etc.) on the ice. These individuals would be required to wear a helmet.
Minor Hockey Practices: when players from a Junior/High School/AAA team assist at practices of the local Minor Hockey Association(s). Players are required to wear helmets. All players over the age of 18 would be required to submit a completed Child Abuse Registry Check to the MHA. It would be the responsibility of the MHA team to apply for the special event as they are the ones hosting the players.
While there is coverage for dryland and team building activities, there are some that will not qualify for coverage and some that will not be permitted.
Other Sports: There is no coverage for any activities that involve another sport. These would still be permitted however it is with the understanding that there is no insurance coverage from Hockey Canada.
Water Activities: Any activities including water are not permitted and will not be covered. This includes but is not limited to swimming, canoeing, dragon boats, paddle boarding, etc.
Weapon-based Activities: Any activities involving anything that can be used as a weapon are not permitted and will not be covered. This includes but is not limited to axe throwing, paint ball, target shooting, etc.
