do you always get extra insurance (health)

[NikP]

Don't leave home without it. My DH had kidney stones when we were in Hawaii a few years ago which he had to have lasered while we were there. The bill for everyone involved from the ambulance to the surgeon/ urologist was over $30,000. Yup, was glad we had insurance.

This is my fear I have a pre existing condition that makes me prone to kidney stones. My urologist said I would not find insurance to cover me and would be $30,000 hospital visit. I still always get insurance but the companies I have gone with always tell me they do not know if I will be covered for a kidney stone claim until I submit a claim. This makes no sense to me. Since I am younger I do not qualify for underwriter insurance so I am told. If I have kidney pain while I am in Florida, I will book the next flight back to Canada.

 

[ChisJo]

Never ever cross the border without it. I have travel insurance through my work benefits, but even when I didn't, I wouldn't venture into the states without it.

My sisters husband broke his arm in Florida about 6 years ago, and they didn't have any insurance. It cost them $8000 just to cast it and for x-rays. They got some money back from the province to cover some of the cost, but I think it was only $2000 (you can make a claim, but its not going to cover everything). I would just rather pay the $100 for peace of mind.

 

[aristocat65]

All these posts really show how lucky and fortunate we are to live in Canada. Even though our healthcare is not "free" as is often stated, certainly not perfect and yes, we face waiting lists, I think we share a peace of mind that our neighbours to the south do not. We know that getting sick will not ruin us financially.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We pay yearly so we are covered if we drive across for the day and any trips up to 21 days I believe it is.

Where I work, I have seen many families lose everything, because they didn't have health coverage in the US. Something like emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm, heart attack and heart surgery will bankrupt you.

I wouldn't step my baby toe into the US without emergency health coverage!

 

[Snoella]

My husband has cross-border coverage through work, but I supplement it with a family plan yearly coverage. It really was inexpensive, I think about $140 for the whole year, worth the peace of mind. I got it throught Manulife Cover Me, but President's Choice on-line travel insurance was also good.

 

[ccudmore]

When we had to use the insurance during our last trip, the doctor was very careful to word his report to avoid any chances that there would be concerns about it being pre-existing condition. In the end, it never came up with the insurance company.

 

[DougEMG]

We always get it through Blue Cross.

 

[minnie56]

We have our insurance with Intact (travelwell30) for my family of 4 ( 2 'kids' ages 24/27) it is $106 per year for up to 5M per person coverage, unlimited trips up to 30 days in duration. I just called and upped it to 'all inclusive' so now covers trip cancellation, interruption and baggage insurance as well and that hiked the annual fee to $306 per year which I think is awesome! I could easily pay that and more to protect one trip!

 

[HamiHarri]

Yes! Always!

 

[ChisJo]

We have our insurance with Intact (travelwell30) for my family of 4 ( 2 'kids' ages 24/27) it is $106 per year for up to 5M per person coverage, unlimited trips up to 30 days in duration. I just called and upped it to 'all inclusive' so now covers trip cancellation, interruption and baggage insurance as well and that hiked the annual fee to $306 per year which I think is awesome! I could easily pay that and more to protect one trip!

Just think...there are people in the US who can't even get coverage for their families for under $1500/month. Yes, I know we don't technically have free health care as we pay for it with our tax deductions, but we account for that, and we don't have to worry beyond that. Could you imagine worrying about going to the hospital because you don't have coverage??? I have many friends who have worked down in the States as nurses, and they say that the system has its benefits, but she does remember turning people away because they don't have insurance. How awful. $300 for an entire year of medical coverage for a family to travel is a very good price to pay for a little peace of mind.

 

[minnie56]

Absolutely! I am always grateful for my health care, here and when I am away...nice to breathe easy

 

[dixonismydog]

Does anyone use the CIBC Visa line as their insurance. They have a whole slew of cards, that carry out of province insurance. I usually use CAA or AMEX but the one card they are offering, is only $39 per year......I have to read the fine print though. Not sure......if it's what I am looking for.

 

[minnie56]

I have CIBC-Areogold-Infinite which also has out of country medical coverage and trip 'interruption'. For me it's an extra...and I have read the inclusions but off the top of my head can't recall enough to tell you!!

 

[Gigi22]

Absolutely, out of province health insurance is a necessity. We attended a travel show on the weekend and picked up the "Well on Your Way" brochure from the federal govt. that states, in part: "a medical evacuation could run more than $50,000. Your [provincial] health plan will cover only part of the bill and will not pay up front. ... Even if you're taking a day trip to the United States, purchase the best private health insurance you can afford."

 

[Hemlock]

DH has coverage through his work, so we never get extra health insurance.

Just wanted to update my own post. Before our last trip in 2009, I called my DH's employee insurance provider to inquire about the out-of-country health coverage. The Representative went over the details of the policy and even directed me their website were I could log in and print out a certificate with the insurance details (policy #, emergency 24 hr telephone number..).

In preparation for our upcoming trip, I logged into the website again to print out a new card even though I technically did not need one because the old one did not have dates on it. When I could not find what I was looking for on the website, I called the insurance company and was advised that my husband's plan no longer covers out-of country medical expenses. After checking with my husband's co-workers, it seems that no one was aware of this change. In fact, one co-workers just got back from a Carribbean cruise with his family of five and assumed he had coverage through work. Another co-worker just returned from a 3 week holiday in Florida and spent $600 on seeing a doctor for his daughter's ear infection, assuming that he would be reimbursed through the company insurance.

The moral of this story is that it never hurts to double check your coverage before you leave. I purchased health insurance today through Scotiabank for $86, so everything has turned out o.k. for us, but I am so glad that I double checked before we left

 

[ChisJo]

Just wanted to update my own post. Before our last trip in 2009, I called my DH's employee insurance provider to inquire about the out-of-country health coverage. The Representative went over the details of the policy and even directed me their website were I could log in and print out a certificate with the insurance details (policy #, emergency 24 hr telephone number..).

In preparation for our upcoming trip, I logged into the website again to print out a new card even though I technically did not need one because the old one did not have dates on it. When I could not find what I was looking for on the website, I called the insurance company and was advised that my husband's plan no longer covers out-of country medical expenses. After checking with my husband's co-workers, it seems that no one was aware of this change. In fact, one co-workers just got back from a Carribbean cruise with his family of five and assumed he had coverage through work. Another co-worker just returned from a 3 week holiday in Florida and spent $600 on seeing a doctor for his daughter's ear infection, assuming that he would be reimbursed through the company insurance.

The moral of this story is that it never hurts to double check your coverage before you leave. I purchased health insurance today through Scotiabank for $86, so everything has turned out o.k. for us, but I am so glad that I double checked before we left

That sucks! You would think if there were any health care changes to their plan that they would have been notified in writing. Garbage! Good thing you found out before. I always call my work insurance (its Blue Cross) and inform them of my upcoming trips and have them input it into their system and ensure that everything is good to go for our trip. I also call my cc (CIBC) to inform them of my upcoming trip as I also us them for extra car insurance beyond what my own car insurance may cover.