Travel Health Insurance: Reimbursement depends on following the rules
Author:
News Canada
(NC)—Travelling,
whether for business or pleasure, involves risk. A personal emergency may
necessitate an early return, or you may need hospital treatment or air evacuation
due to a medical problem. Travellers should be aware that the Ontario government
health plan (OHIP) is rarely enough when it comes to medical treatment outside
the country, so without supplementary insurance during an emergency, you
could be exposed to considerable financial obligations.
Travel
health insurance policies vary considerably, says the Financial Services
Commission of Ontario (FSCO), an agency of the Ministry of Finance that regulates
Ontario's insurance industry. FSCO reminds us to pay special attention to
the definitions, pre-existing condition clauses, deductibles, as well as
the limitations and exclusions sections of the policies. Ask for clear explanations
of each and once you are satisfied, make your insurance purchase. But even
then, says FSCO, there is a bit more work for you to do — as follows:
Read
the policy: Before leaving on your trip, read and become familiar with your
policy and the coverage. It is your responsibility to know what you have
purchased.
Take
it with you: Include the policy with your travel documents. Keep both the
emergency contact phone number available, as well as the number for your
insurance company. Compile and include a list of current medications.
Get
authorization (if possible): If a medical problem arises, the toll-free phone
number provided will connect you to an emergency service centre. Be ready
to supply all the facts and information and ask for clarification if you
do not fully understand. Service centres manage and monitor your treatment
and make the medical referrals. Before you go ahead with treatment however,
be sure the service centre has obtained authorization from your home-based
insurance company. If not, you may be personally obligated for medical services
not approved.
Follow
the payment process: Under some policies, you pay the hospital and are reimbursed
later by the insurance company. Other policies provide payment directly to
the medical facility or practitioner. The policy will tell you which procedure
to follow.
More
information on travel health insurance is available online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca.
Or, for a copy of their booklet Shopping for Travel Health Insurance phone
(416) 590-7298 (Toll Free: 1-800-668-0128).
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News Canada
