Travel medical insurance is designed to reimburse you for emergency hospital/medical expenses incurred, over and above those the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will cover, while travelling outside of Canada or in a different Province.
Illness can strike and accidents can happen, even during a very short business or recreational trip. Any time you leave Canada without supplementary travel medical insurance – even just for a few hours – you’re taking a risk.
Without Supplementary Travel Medical Insurance, You Could Be Exposed to Considerable Financial Obligations
While supplementary travel medical insurance policies vary greatly from insurance company to insurance company, most generally include coverage for the following emergency health care services1:
- hospital room accommodation,
- incidental expenses related to your hospital stay,
- outpatient services,
- licensed physician’s fees,
- prescriptions and/or medical, therapeutic or diagnostic treatments prescribed by a licensed physician,
- medical appliances (e.g., splints, casts, crutches, canes, slings, trusses, walkers and the temporary rental of a wheelchair) when prescribed by a licensed physician,
- emergency dental care, and
- ambulance and air ambulance medical evacuation services.
Note: Check for deductible and co-payment clauses. Some travel medical insurance policies contain deductible or co-payment clauses that require you to pay part of the costs of any emergency medical treatment you receive. For example, if your policy contains a $250 deductible clause, you’ll have to pay the first $250 towards any claim. If your policy contains a co-payment clause, it means that you are expected to pay a certain percentage of your medical bills, generally between 10 and 20%.
Be aware of possible restrictions and limitations. If you have any question phone or email Glenn.