Super visa health insurance

[DesiMumbhai]

Do Visitors to Canada/Super Visa health insurance policies only cover 'Emergency' situations? Are non emergency situations for e.g. a visit to a doctor's office for either a routine checkup or some ailment, not covered?

As an example, one of the online travel insurance agents: bestquotetravelinsurance.ca, is only offering 'Emergency Medical' as an option for visitors to Canada. Is this the same for all insurance providers?

(Had earlier posted this query in the incorrect section. reposting this.)

[Baloo]

Do Visitors to Canada/Super Visa health insurance policies only cover 'Emergency' situations? Are non emergency situations for e.g. a visit to a doctor's office for either a routine checkup or some ailment, not covered?

In general, insurance has a deductible amount, so if your policy deductible is $500, then visiting the doctor for a throat infection isn't likely to be paid for (except by you).

No doubt some of the insurance folk will also provide an answer.

[OnlineInsPro]

I guess there are a few issues here when discussing this topic... Firstly, these policies are for EMERGENCIES only. So, what does Emergency mean?

"Emergency means an unforeseen sickness or injury, which requires immediate medical treatment to alleviate existing danger to life or health. An emergency no longer exists, when the medical evidence indicates that you are able to continue the trip or return to your province or territory of ordinary residence (for Visitors to Canada your country or permanent residence). Once such emergency ends, no further benefits are payable in respect of the condition which caused the emergency" - taken from the policy wording of a typical policy

Secondly, exclusions exist for things such as suicide, or attempt thereof, commission of a criminal offense, any medical condition or recognized complication of a condition, where the purpose of your trip is to seek medical treatment, advice, or services, ongoing care, rehabilitation, or check-ups.

If your parents have ongoing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol, they should not travel unless their condition is stable, and bring sufficient medication to last the duration of the trip (or be prepared to pay for those medications themselves). Hope this helps to clarify.

Tracy DesLaurier, CHS
DesLaurier Financial Services
www.dfsinc.ca or www.travelinsure.ca
1-888-933-7462
info @ dfsinc.ca

[Baloo]

The key is, read the policy before you pay for it

[Gary Goldshmidt]

Deductible is per claim not per policy. However some policies are more liberal than other once a medical emergency has occured, for example TIC travel insurance covers follow up visits, other plans may limit this to only 30 days.  You need to read the policy and make sure it covers pre-existing conditions, what you think is a pre-existing condition is not what an insurance company defines it as. I am not an underwriting expert but will be happy to provide you with some media coverage on this issue.  Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical insurance is designed for medical emergencies only, it is not a health and dental plan for routine checkups, drugs or doctors visits for common colds.  I also feel the required mandatory coverage amount of $100,000 is not enough insurance you can increase your coverage to $150,000 with most companies for a very nominal amount.  Keep in mind if a medical emergency exceed the amount of coverage you purchased you are liable for the balance. A recent travel claim just set a record of $1,000,000.00 that is a lot of money, our health care system in affordable but not cheap.  Don't shop based on price, read the policy carefully, make sure you get coverage for any pre-existing conditions even if you pay more and get a rated policy, finally deal with a company that will underwrite at time of application not time of claim.  Another words you know in advance what you are covered for when you buy the policy not at time of claim.

If you need more information you can contact me directly.

Stone-Hedge Financial Group Inc.
Gary Goldshmidt
Managing Director
1.888.410.4393
Toronto Tel: 416.410.4393
Email: gary @ stone-hedgefinancialgroup.ca

[Trevor Pfahl]

Just to add some more explaination to the above posts.

Stability means not seeing a doctor, or having a medical condition for a certain period of time. This period, the stability period, is usually 90 days or 180 days but it depends on the company.

For example, So if your parent had a problem with their heart or leg within that period before coming to Canada, then that condition would not be covered. Typically, this is not a issue for most people but if there is ANYTHING that your parent has seen the doctor for in the last 3-6 months then that would not be covered while in Canada. If during the medical exam required in your parent's home country, there is a condition found, then adjust your travel arrival date so that your parent will be arriving after the 90 or 180 day stability period in order to have that condition covered as well.

Some companies just have online questions to answer while some companies have a detailed Medical questionnaire to answer before they approve insurance. I recommend always filling out the detailed form  just to know the history of the person coming to Canada. That allows for less possibility of a claim being denied by a company.

If you have more questions then feel free to contact me at

Trevor Pfahl
Hotwinters.ca Travel Medical Insurance
Trevor @ hotwinters.ca
1-800-506-7675
1-204-415-5004 - winnipeg, Manitoba