If you are leaving the province, be aware that BC medical coverage may not pay all your health care costs.
Outside the province of BC, whether in Alberta or Quebec or in another country, health services often cost more than the amount paid by the BC Ministry of Health. For example, B.C. pays $75 Cdn per day for emergency in-patient hospital care. The average cost for this same care in a US Hospital can exceed $1,000 US per day and can be as high as $10,000 a day for intensive care.
As well, not all services and items are covered when outside the province. The Ministry of Health does not pay for ambulance services obtained outside of BC, nor do they cover prescription drugs and non-physician services such as chiropractic and physical therapy.
With this in mind, check your options for suitable travel health insurance if you are leaving the province for 1 day or 182 days. Illness and accidents can happen anywhere. The Ministry of Health may not pay for all your expenses if you break a leg or suffer a kidney stone attack while in Arizona, Mexico, Italy or Australia.
When purchasing travel medical insurance, keep these points in mind:
Complete the medical questionnaire carefully
These few questions are key to having valid insurance when you step out of the province. Be ready to answer the questions about your medical history, current and prescribed medications and pre-existing conditions. Most plans offer several price ranges depending on your answers. Rates also vary according to your age, length of travel and deductible options.
Pre-existing condition
This definition can vary widely from insurer to insurer. Read through this carefully with your insurance agent. Such words as treatment, medical condition, stable and heart condition are defined in each contract. Plans also vary in the length of time that pre-existing conditions must be stable and controlled. There is considerable difference between 6 months of stability versus 5 years.
Emergency provisions
Your travel health insurance is designed to provide coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies. It may cover such items as hospital expenses, physician charges, private duty nurse, emergency air transportation, diagnostic services, return of travel companion and vehicle, incidental expenses and more.
Coordination of benefits
If you currently have travel insurance through another plan, your current plan may pay benefits first then the new plan pays excess benefits. In the policies, it will state how this coordination will take place.
Choice of plans
The multi-trip annual plan covers you for unlimited shorter trips taken within the year. For example, plans will insure you for trips of up to 4, 15, 30 or 60 days.
The single trip plan is designed for travelers who go out of the province for a certain number of days. This can be anywhere from 5 to 182 days. If you want to apply to extend your stay, the insurance company has a contact number to call.
You can also choose the deductible option that suits you.
Carry your provincial health care card and travel insurance documents
This includes the wallet card for your travel insurance. On this card, your policy number and, most importantly, emergency contact numbers will be listed. Most companies ask you to call this emergency number first, either prior to receiving medical treatment, or within the first 24 hours. If you don’t call, the insurance company may not pay for all claim costs.
For important points about traveling out of BC, check the website http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/leavingbc.html#absence for further reference about temporary absences. Your medical insurance will definitely give you financial security when you travel. It could be worth millions of dollars.
Lisa Jaffary is a life insurance agent and financial advisor with Points West Insurance & Associates in Kelowna. She is a member of the Advocis, the largest professional association of financial advisors in Canada. Call her at 250 861-5166 or e-mail at lisa@pointswest.ca if you have any questions, or wish her to deal with a particular topic in a column.
