*Important: Please note that conversion of PARA Disability coverage is available to ministry-funded Alberta residents under contract with AHS as of June 30, 2023. Residents that commenced training in Alberta on July 1, 2023, or later are not eligible for conversion.
After you complete your residency program, your Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta insurance coverage will end. However, you can convert your PARA insurance to Alberta Medical Association plans.
To ensure continuous coverage, you need to submit your application before the end of your contract (i.e., before July 1 for a contract ending June 30.) You have 60 days from the end of your contract to submit your application, but note that you do not have coverage in the interim.
After finishing your residency, you can convert your disability coverage to the AMA Disability Insurance plan without a medical exam. However, you must apply within 60 days of completing your program (e.g., Aug. 31 for a June 30 completion date).
Convert your PARA plan
- Complete the Conversion Application for PARA Disability and Life Insurance form
Exercise a Guaranteed Insurability Benefit (GIB) rider option
- This rider allows you to increase coverage without proof of good health. Option periods are the month of April each year up to age 55 and after completing a residency program.
- You may increase by up to $2,500/month at each option.
- For the "completing a residency program" option, you may increase up to a total of $7,500 (family physician) or $11,000 (specialist), including all sources of disability insurance.
For example,- Family physician: PARA conversion is $4,000 and GIB option may be $3,500, for a total of $7,500/month.
- Specialist (PGY5): PARA conversion is $5,000 and GIB option may be $6,000, for a total of $11,000/month.
Complete the GIB Application for Residents
Add the Own Occupation rider
When you convert, you can also add the Own Occupation rider:
Learn About the Own Occupation RiderAdd the Retirement Protection rider
The Retirement Protection rider may be added to your disability coverage during conversion, without proof of good health.
During a period of total disability, it might be difficult to contribute to your RRSP or other investments while trying to manage the day-to-day expenses of everyday living.
The Retirement Protection rider provides a monthly contribution to a locked-in non-registered investment vehicle beginning after 90 consecutive days of total disability and continuing each month you remain totally disabled, up to age 65. The monthly contribution is $500/month.
Premiums for this rider are:
| Age | Monthly premium* |
| under 35 | $5.92 |
| 35-39 | $8.67 |
| 40-44 | $8.67 |
| 45-49 | $13.17 |
| 50-54 | $13.17 |
| 55-60 | $14.08 |
| 60-64 | $14.08 |
* Before any applicable AMA Premium Credit.
Add the Lifetime Accident Total Disability rider
The Lifetime Accident Total Disability rider may be added to your disability coverage during conversion, without proof of good health. When insured by this rider, total disability monthly benefits would be paid for your lifetime provided you remain totally disabled due to an accident. In the absence of this rider, benefits are paid to age 65. Premiums for this rider are 5% of the base plan premium.
Learn more
For complete information about the AMA Disability Insurance plan:
Learn About AMA Disability InsuranceWe base your coverage on your current post-graduate year (PGY), age, gender and whether you smoke or not.
Submit your application to our office within 60 days of the end of your residency training:
Contact AIDUM Staff
You can convert your life insurance coverage to the AMA Term Life Insurance plan as long as you apply within 60 days of completing your program (e.g., Aug. 31 for a June 30 completion date):
To convert your PARA plan:
- Complete the Conversion Application for PARA Disability and Life Insurance form
Complete information about the AMA life insurance plan:
Learn About Term Life InsuranceThe AMA AD&D plan provides a lump sum, tax-free benefit in the event of a covered accidental death or dismemberment.
We suggest that you buy this insurance to supplement, not replace, your other disability and life insurance coverage.
To replace your PARA AD&D insurance:
- Complete the Application for Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance form
Complete information about the AMA AD&D plan:
Learn About the AMA's AD&D Insurance
You can replace your staff Alberta Blue Cross coverage with the AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund (AMA HBTF):
Learn About the AMA HBTF (extended health and dental coverage)