Do U Need 'Temporary Health Insurance'
while Arriving in Canada?
Yes, you better !
I'm sure most would be aware by now that upon 'landing'...
1. We are not immediately covered under the Canadian Healthcare.
2. Most provinces* have a waiting period -of 3 months, before we are 'eligible' for the Medicare.
3. During this 3 months if we have a medical emergency -God save us !
*Except Alberta & Manitoba, as per my knowledge.
Why do we require one?
The Canadian health system is one of the best in the world, No doubts on that. But it is very expensive too*, if you are not covered under the Provincial Health Plan! Doctors in Canada charge hefty visitation fees; and if it's an emergency medical treatment, the costs simply shoot through the ceiling. Hospital care in Canada can cost your thousands of dollars on a daily basis and if you are unfortunate enough to meet with an accident or have other health issues -your Canadian dream could be a nightmare, before it dawns.
*Canada's health expenses rival the United States -as the most expensive in the world.
• Simple doctor visits cost .......... approximately $150
• Ambulance ............................ approximately $250
• Critical hospital stay cost ......... around ......... $3,500 per night
• Air ambulance ....................... around .......... $20,000
• etc...
Sure, we might argue that we are perfectly fine -healthwise, have been medically found fit for the immigrations process, haven't we? But what if we fall sick, or have an unexpected medical ailment, or need surgery, or meet with an accident... can we take that risk? 'Coz, if that happens -our 'landing funds' might just last a week to the max, sometimes might not either. And then, if not due to the sickness, the medical expenses itself could make us [financially] crippling.
So, where lies the answer?
To ensure personal safety, the answer lies is obtaining a "Temporary Health Insurance". Which could be taken in either of the ways:
A. Pre-landing, from our homeland,
B. Post-landing, asap upon arrival in Canada.
A. Pre-Landing insurance : "Travel Insurance"
A Travel Health Insurance will provide an excellent safeguard against the extremely prohibitively costs of medical treatment in Canada. Which usually is very affordable and costs as little as $2 a day. There are many variants of the same in the market, while it'd be wise to obtain it from a reputed 'international agency', rather taking it from the cheapest 'fly-by night' insurance provider. The criteria being -it should have a presence 'in Canada', a No. to call in emergency & be able to get immediate advise/s. Some of such Travel Insurance Providers are:
1. AXA* :
http://www.axa-gulf.com
2. IMG:
http://www.imglobal.com/insurance_plans.cfm?imgac=21263&frames=0&app_method=1&CFID=324496&CFTOKEN=4049b2fee42bf8df-A3F1550C-1F29-DFD5-1244E7E6281C111E
3. ICICI Lombard:
4. Travel Guard Chartis :
http://www.travelguard.com/travelinsurance/travelmedical.asp
5. Allianz-Mondial :
http://www.mondial-assistance.ca/
*I have obtained that. Details given separately, below.
CONDITIONS:
1. As this type of insurance is basically for holiday/business travel, thus we need to have a valid 'return air ticket' to obtain these. One way ticket would not qualify.
2. They cover everything -medicines to hospitalization, consultancy fees, Lab tests etc. you name it.
3. The hospitalization costs [including OPD later] would be paid directly by the insurer. But non-hospitalization ones need to claimed at the home country [not in Canada]*.
4. They are available [usually] for a maximum of 3 months. We should also take it for not less than 3 months [later the OHIP kicks-in].
*We can fill-up the Claim Form/s, attach the bills & send it back to a relative or friend to submit it to the Insurer. The claims are usually processed in 3-7 days max. S/he can collect it as well. If you obtain it thru an Insurance Broker [ideal choice] -they'll do all the needful.
MY ADVISE:
This type of insurance is actually better. Also Cheaper than the post-landing one. And we stand 'covered' from the port of embarkation itself. Besides, this insurance incorporates many other things like lost/delayed baggage, loss of passport, loss of monies, return of mortal remains etc. [details in the eg, below]. Secondly, it might do us good to obtain the highest cover -the top most plan of any insurer... usually the one with $1Million.
B. Post-Landing Insurance : The "Visitor's to Canada" Plan
Generally, the coverage you need [post-landing] is the "visitors to Canada" Insurance Plans. A good news again is that this type of medical insurance is quite affordable as well. For example, a good individual coverage can be purchased for a 40 year old for $3-$5 per day, and an entire family can be covered for under $15 per day.
Medical Insurance is highly recommended for all foreign visitors to Canada, including new immigrants, says CLHIA (Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association). They recommend the following insurance companies:
1. Blue Cross - Tele: 1-800-873-2583
https://www.useblue.com/assurance-voyage/trouver-produit/liste-protections/visiteurs-canada1/visiteurs-canada-immigrants.en.html
2. ETFS - Tele: 1- 800-267-8834
http://www.etfsinc.com/product/individual/visitors.html
3. TIC - Tele: 1-800-387-4770
http://www.travelinsurance.ca/plans/visitorsGeneral.php
4. Canadian Banks*
*Many Canadian Banks also provide the said services to newcomers. For example, RBC.
http://www.rbcinsurance.com/travel/visitors-canada-plans.html
CONDITIONS:
1. Some insurance companies have rules and deadlines for buying these post-landing insurances.
2. For example, with some companies you will have to buy insurance within a 7 days of arriving in Canada. While some allow you till 30 days.
3. Beyond 30 days there is hardly any Canadian insurance company which would sell this product.
MY ADVISE:
As a thumb rule, we 'must' obtain this type of insurance immediately upon arrival in Canada. Maybe the very next day itself. One never knows when fate or destiny may hit us hard, do we?
What Coverage do we Expect from Temp. Health Insurance?
-Complete medical treatment*
-Family Physician's Fees,
-Drugs or Medicines while hospitalized and a 'set limit' -if not hospitalized,
-Hospital Confinement -for Standard and sometimes semi-private rooms,
-Medical Services: Services of a legally licensed MD or Surgeon, Anesthetist, Registered Nurse,
-Lab tests, x-ray exams, other diagnostic tests,
-Licensed local air, land or sea ambulance
-Rental of hospital type bed, crutches, trusses, braces, splints or other approved prosthetic appliances,
-Emergency OPD (Out Patient) services
-Return of Deceased Body to Insureds' residence, or cost of cremation or burial at place of death
-Accidental Dental -set limits on costs of damage from accidental blow to the face
-Air Flight Accident (usually an option)
-24 hour Accidental Death or Dismemberment (usually an option)
*Some plans will though render Emergency basis only to cover sudden, unexpected, and unforeseeable circumstances [usually the lower premium ones].
A recommended Plan from the Gulf
From the Gulf, AXA offers a well rounded plan, which has a better value for money, Premium vis-a-vis Coverage. It offers 2 plans for Worldwide coverage:
1. Travel Smart: Highest coverage -higher premium.
The best travel insurance product in the market to cover you with any medical and travel inconvinence for the complete peace of mind.
2. Travel Family : Good coverage -lower premium.
Comprehensive worldwide Family Cover under one single premium for insured person, spouse and unlimited number of children.
The Cover at a glance: ............................ Travel Smart (USD)...... Travel Family (USD)
-Emergency Medical.................................. 1,000,000..................... 60,000
-Emergency Dental ................................... 400 ............................ 1,000
-Emergency Transportation ........................ Unlimited .................... 60,000
-Repatriation of other insured person ........... Unlimited .................... 5,000
-Repatriation of mortal remains .................. Unlimited .................... X
-Premature return (death of close relative) ... Economy ticket ............ X
-Visit of close relative ............................... Economy ticket ............ X
-Cost of first aid & rescue .......................... 20,000 ........................ X
-Personal liability ..................................... 1,000,000 ................... 100,000
-Legal assistance & cause of redress ........... 4,000 .......................... X
-Advance of Bail Bond (Refundable)............. 10,000 ........................ X
-Cancellation of Curtailment ...................... 5,000 .......................... X
-Delayed departure after12 hours ............... up to 500 .................... up to 500
-Delayed baggage .................................... 250 ............................ X
-Personal baggage & money ...................... 5,000 .......................... 2,000
-Loss of passport ..................................... 500 ............................ 350
-Personal accident ................................... 27,500 ........................ 27,500
-Terrorism extension (optional) ................. 100,000 ....................... X
Conclusion
Hospitals in Canada can charge thousands of dollars on overnight stays. Besides a plethora of expenses to be incurred if we unfortunately fall sick in between the gestation period of Provincial Health coverage. There is therefore little point in risking traveling to Canada without first getting a Canadian Travel Health Insurance Plan. The premiums are not overbearing, but the consequences can.
REFERENCES:
1. Canadian Healthcare Overview: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t37039.0.html
2. Settlement.org Advice: http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?k=HEALTHINS_NOOHIP&faq_id=4001251
3. US Govt. Travel Advice: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1470.html
4. Travel Ins. Quotes: http://www.travelinsurancequotes.ca/visitors-to-canada.html
5. Hepatitis-B Costs: http://www.pulsus.com/cddw2003/abs/abs170.htm
Hope that was of some use...
Qorax
