Monarch Intermediaries brings ‘second opinion services’ to Canadian P&C market

Monarch Intermediaries Inc. has launched a property and casualty brokerage-based program that provides employees of businesses and customers of insurers access to second opinions from WorldCare Consortium.
WorldCare Consortium is composed of academic healthcare institutions, with a network of more than 17,000 physicians, specialists and sub-specialists.
Monarch Intermediaries now enables private insurers, employers and associations to provide second-opinion services to their members as a standalone product or as an add-on to an existing commercial or personal insurance policy.
To generate a ‘Second Opinion Medical Report’ a Monarch member’s medical records are sent electronically to specialists who review them, confirm or modify the diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.  

“Despite Canada’s exceptional medical system, individuals diagnosed with critical or life-threatening illnesses may face significant delays and challenges in securing referrals to specialists to verify their diagnosis, prognosis and most effective treatment plan,” says Joyce Usher-Mesiano, President of Monarch Intermediaries Inc. As the only P&C insurance brokerage in Canada to offer WorldCare’s service, Usher-Mesiano launched Monarch Intermediaries after her own sister’s battle with cancer was influenced by a second opinion. “Getting a second opinion changed her diagnosis and treatment,” she says. “While treatments here in Canada were not working for her, after the second medical opinion, we completed additional tests in the U.S. and arrangements were then made for a trial drug to be used here in Canada. Now, she is seeing positive results.”

After that experience, Usher-Mesiano realized other families might also be faced with a similar situation and need a second opinion. As a Managing General Agent, Monarch Intermediaries Inc. is able to work directly with WorldCare, who in turn works with the patient’s physicians here in Canada. Second Opinions are secured without the need for any medical appointments or travel. The Consortium physicians also can conduct audio conferences with the referring to discuss the case. If need be, the WorldCare can also help arrange treatment in the U.S., sometimes at a reduced cost.