Don’t rely on your provincial or territorial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Provincial and territorial health plans don’t always cover out-of-country travel.
They may cover only part of the bill, and will not pay up front. A medical evacuation could cost more than $50,000, so it’s best to make sure you have travel health insurance to cover unexpected
expenses. For more information, contact your provincial/ territorial health authority.
Purchase the best private travel health insurance you can afford, even if you’re taking a day trip to the United States. It’s your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your travel health
insurance policy. Your credit card company may offer health and travel insurance, but don’t assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others require that you use their card
to pay for your travel arrangements. Verify the conditions, limitations and requirements before departure. Ask your health care provider to fill in the portion of the insurance questionnaire on
pre-existing conditions to avoid future problems. For example, you may have a pre-existing condition, such as borderline diabetes or high blood pressure, that doesn’t require you to take medication at this time. If you fail to indicate all pre-existing conditions on the form and
then need the coverage while abroad, the insurance company may refuse to pay your medical bills.
Always carry proof of your insurance coverage when travelling. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative at home or your travel companion how to contact your insurer. If you receive medical care while travelling, get a detailed invoice from the health care provider or hospital before you leave the country, as it may be difficult to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Most
insurance companies won’t accept copies or faxes of receipts, but you should keep copies for your own files.
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