Ask the Editor
Have a question? Got a complaint? Feel you’ve been tricked? Ask Milan
We’ll edit for space and propriety. Please include your first name, city and country.
Letter from Shirley (Canada)
We are going on a cruise with Holland America to Mexico. My husband, 77 years old, is looking for travel insurance. He has had Type 2 diabetes for over 15 years but it is extremely well-controlled. He appears to be unable to purchase travel insurance. I have insurance through my former employer’s extended health plan but when I asked if he could join the answer was NO. See Answer
Question from June (Canada)
I had a problem with my heart, I think it was angina, about four years ago. Nothing since and I just had an appointment with my heart specialist and he says I’m fine. No change of pills for two years. What kind of medical insurance should I buy? I’m 58 years old and planning on taking a cruise in the spring. See Answer
Question from multiple elderly Canadian travelers:
Canadian travel insurance is too expensive. These companies need more competition. Why can’t we buy insurance from American insurers if we are traveling to the United States? Couldn’t they offer a better deal in their own country? See Answer
Milan
My wife and I are about to embark ona 4 week cruise to South America, we will be visiting 5 ot 6 countries along the way. Is there a travel insurance provider we shuld be using (say over another) And is the insuracne provided effective with the itinerary we are undertaking and especially if something were to happen while at sea (international waters).
Thanks for your help
Sandy
Dear Sandy:
You need to get full service travel coverage from a Canadian travel insurance company. Most cruise lines sell travel insurance but it is specifically tailored to American clients and its medical coverage is far too restrictive for you. The limits are as low as $25,000 or $50,000 for medical cover and that is a drop in the bucket if you should need medical care or hospitalization in Argentina or Uruguay or anywhere in South America. Canadian plans offered by the major travel insurance companies have far more generous medical and repatriation cover. Most will also pay foreign hospitals directly, which the cruise ship plans will not. For your needs, a single trip plan is most appropriate but be careful to pay attention to the pre-existing conditions requirements. As for your concerns about possible medical emergencies that may occur in distant countries or even at sea, the Canadian plans have international assistance companies that can intervene on your behalf, no matter where you are.
Milan
Just read your article in Canadian MoneySaver and found it most informative. You didn’t mention, however, anything about the adequacy or inadequacy of medical insurance one may have through one’s employer or, in the case of a retiree, former employer. In my case, that insurance is currently provided by Desjardins Financial and was formerly provided by Blue Cross, under what I understand are pretty standard plans. I’ve had occasion to consult each of these providers concerning coverage for planned travel and was advised in each case that the coverage I have would pay for any medical costs I might encounter when travelling internationally that are not covered under my provincial government Medicare coverage, to the limits defined in the plan of course. On the basis of that advice, I haven’t been purchasing addional medical insurance for travel, just travel insurance to cover trip interruption costs and the like. Have I received good advice in this regards? Thanks.
John:
Your question is a good one. I just didn’t have the space to cover that issue in my MoneySense column. The bottom line is that the advice you were given is not adequate for your purposes. You need to see the terms of your out-of-country coveraqe and not take an administrator’s word that you are, in fact, covered as you need to be. Most employer/pension plan administrators are not experts in travel insurance and so you need better advice. Employer plans differ.
They have different covereage periods: 30 days, 60, 90, 180. Most say they cover pre-existing conditions, but there are limitations on what qualifies as a pre-ex: Is it stable or unstable? Has it required treatment within a certain period before travel? Are you taking medications for it? etc. etc. You need to know what those qaualifiers are and how they apply to your own health status. You also need to know if your insurer will pay your out-of-country hospitals and doctors directly or will you have to pay and then wait for reimbursement? Are you prepared for that if you wind up with a $70,000 bill for a five day confinement? Will they repatriate you to a hospital at home at their expense if necessary?
Also, I know of plans that offer, say, $100,000 of coverage, which is totally inadequate. And even if it’s more, is that meant to be lifetime cover or is it per incident? You need to know. I consider any plan that covers less than $1 million per incident, that does not pay foreign hospitals dfirectly, and does not offer air amublance repatriation if necessary, inadequate. The trouble is that many employer/pension plan administrators cannot answer those questions and even if they can, you need to see them in print. A contract is still a contract. Your best bet is to ask a broker specializing in travel insurance to have a look at your plan, to point ourt the questions you need to ask, and to top it up, if necessary, so that it does meet your requirements. I’ll try to deal with this issue in more depth in a future column.
Milan
Milan Korcok
Editor & Publisher
http://www.travelinsurancefile.com
How does CARP insurance rate? My husband and I are both in our seventies.
Maria:
The travel insurance sponsored by CARP is a good plan as are many travel health insurance policies sold across Canada. The fact that
both you and your husband are in your seventies suggests one or both of you may have some medical conditions, take some medications, or see a doctor occasionally for some health concerns. Finding a plan that fits those needs is your first priority. Only then should you start comparing prices. If your health is not perfect, you may need a medically-underwritten plan which is based on your health status as determined from a medical questionnaire. Most Canadian single-trip or annual multi-trip plans carry comparable benefits, but you also need to look at their exclusions (what they don’t cover.) They also have different requirements about pre-existing conditions and you need to know how they apply to you. Premiums will differ according ot your age, health and the length of your trip. The CARP plan may very well fit all of your needs at a premium you are happy with. Ask a lot of questions and if you need some help go to a broker who specializes in travel insurance. Many of them carry different products and they can help you make reasonable comparisons.This is not a product you should buy off a shelf–not a your ages.
Milan
My husband and I purchased travel insurance from CARP last fall and my husband suffered from a heart attack while in Az. He has never taken any medications in all his years for blood pressure, cholestrol, or any other ailments. This was a shock as he was in excellent health. 66 years of age, and no history of heart disease.
CARP has denied reimbursments for over $100, 000 in medical bills as they insist that his doctor had previously diagnosed him with elevated cholestrol. His levels were slightly up and was told to watch his diet and excercise to lower it. They consider this a diagnosis, even when no medication was prescribed. They have questions that are totally misleading. So if purchasing from them, take the questionaire to your doctor and find out if anything in your medical record could jeapordise any claims if they should occur. Acctually, I would never recommend CARP again to any traveller.
This has left us highly stressed and burdened with bills that we are unable to pay. AND WE THOUGHT WE WERE WELL COVERED with insurance.
Ada:
Making a judgment on such a matter without seeing the medical records is impossible. In most travel insurance policies, a diagnosis is not necessary to prove a pre-existing condition if the symptoms or indications (such a high cholesterol) are recorded by the physician. But I would strongly suggest CARP’s insurer submit your case to their independent ombudsman–if they have one– for review and recommendation. If they don’t–or if their “ombudsman” is an employee or someone in the claims department, take your case directly to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Ombudservice which is set up specifically to handle complaints such as yours. It is free, and you will get a fair hearing. You can find their contact numbers on the web–just type in CLHIO.
Milan
Hi Milan,
I read your Moneysense article with interest. I hope you can lend some insight to my question.
My wife has the option to apply for US Medicare. She is a dual citizen. The question that I have is: Would a combination of US Medicare and our Cdn BC Health medicare be a reasonable replacement for travel medical insurance? When traveling in the US, she would use her US Medicare and then send in bills not covered by US Medicare to the BC medicare when we returned to Canada.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. My wife has pre-existing asthma.
Thanks very much, Paul
I have some questions in regard to the mandatory medical insurance to Cuba. Is Great West Life approved in Cuba? What companies are approved? I have been on the Cuba website and nowhere does it tell which companies are approved and yet they want maddatory medical insurance. More information would be greatly appreciated in this area for travel consultants and travelllers.
Cheers,
Jennifer
I am going on a long south american trip and I estimate that my luggage worth to be around 5,000 Travel insurances max out at 3,000 can I buy a second policy to have my luggage fully covered?
A few years ago I made a travel insurance claim that was approved. Will Past claims effect future claims
thanks.
Christina
Hi Milan, I also read your article in Money Sense and enjoyed it. My question is similar to John’s. I have the Public Service Health Care Plan as part of my military pension and through Johnson Inc I purchase MEDOC coverage which beefs up the PSHCP. It seems to be very comprehensive. Your thoughts and could you check it out in a future Money Sense article. Thanks, Dennis
Denis:
Medoc, administered by Johnson Inc, is underwrtitten by Royal and Sun Alliance with emergency assistance by Global Excel. All are sound, reliable companies. You appear to be well covered. But, since I don’t know your health status, I suggest you pay particular attention to the pre-existing donditions requirements of Medoc and also be sure you know the “overlap” conditions of coverage. Top ups can be tricky if you have a sudden medical emergency arise toward the end of your primary insurer’s coverage period that becomes an excludable pre-existing condition for your top up insurer. For more on this
see my headline article Travel Insurance Top Ups Can Be Money Savers—But You Must Know The Rules in this current posting.
Hello Milan,
Can a person buy permanent travel insurance that covers them for the rest of their life? The objective is to buy travel insurance when you are healthy and have no pre-existing conditions and then would be covered for major expenses when travelling currently and in the future. I advise many clients and am trying to find ways to reduce the risk of big expenses incurred while travelling.
James:
Good question.
But the short answer is No. Travel insurance is only supplemental to other health insurance such as provincial health plans and has a lot of limitations and exclusions. The maximum term TI is sold for is 365 days. It is possible to buy an annual multi-trip plan that covers the purchaser for up to a given number of days per trip: example, a 30-day multi-trip plan will allow the applicant to take as many 30-day trips throughout the year as he or she wishes without having to call the insurer prior to each trip. But if the traveller encounters a claim on any one of those segments, they are required to inform the insurer so that the new coverage terms can be applied on any subequent segment. Annual trips come in all varieties–15 days up to 180. The concept of buying while young and before any pre-exists occur is a great one, but travel insurance is specifically designed to cover only unexpected emergencies and so buying at age 30 so you can travel at 65, with all of the ills 65-ers have, is a risk no travel insurer could undertake. The only solution is to have provincial health plans cover people out of the country the same as they do at home. But that appears to b politically radioactive.
Milan
Milan Korcok
Editor, TravelinsuranceFile.
We are both recently retired teachers who retained MTS Blue Cross Comprehensive plan including NO opt out 30 day multi-trip No top -up travel. Credit cards also provide 15 day with top up option. .RTAM through Johnson inc.offers until Nov 1 a 62 day multi- trip annual with Top up allowed. for $500 So far trips have been limited to 30 days once per year., but in future we want to keep snowbird option open.WE want to retain our Blue Cross . I am 63 with no health issues,past or present. Spouse ,58 takes insulin.Should we both take the RTAM Johnson plan? Should spouse only take RTAM while I shop for single plan only if,when needed. Any help clearing my thinking would be greatly appreciated.
Gordon:
You’re still young in terms of snowbirding: you need flexibility and for that the RTAM is best for both of you. Blue Cross is not the only plan that limits multi trips and precludes top ups, and that is restrictive, especially if there is no opt out after sign up. Credit cards are too limited because of their short trip durations and also their exclusions for pre-exising conditions. The RTAM Johnson plan (underwritten by Manulife) gives you flexibility and if later on you want to go for longer periods, Johnson can accommodate. I caution you about one thing–as your wife is an insulin-dependent diabetic– make sure you read the “stability” requirement clause in the pre-existing conditions segment. There is no such thing as pre existing conditions covered if those conditions are unstable–and any change in medication could be considered a sign of instability by the insurer. Read that segment so you understand it. Also, if at all possible both of you should be insured by the same company, it’s easier, more convenient. If youcan keep you Blue Cross medical as a baqsic plan and use this RTAM travel over top, you have the best of both worlds–especally as the RTAM also has a trip canellation beneft built it. Hope this helps.
Milan
i got a quote from snowbirds of 259.00 per person for less than 60 days of travel in U>S>.
Most of my other quotes were anywhere from 400-800 for my atrium fibrulation. Even though this was eight years ago but i’m still on meds. I’m also a smoker. I am weary of snowbirds low quote saying if their is no changes in meds or visits to doctor within 90 days of application concerning this condition. Then they do not worry about pre existing condition.
I’m looking for a complaint file or remarks on snowbirds travel insurance. Any ideasor comments –most welcome.
Marilyn:
If you are taking medications for atrial fibrillation and are also a smoker, you’rer doing well to get a quote of $259 for up to 60 days. I don’t know who you mean by snowbird insurance as all Canadian travel insurance companies offer snowbird plans, but the price sounds good to me. As for complaint files, I don’t know what you’re referring to so I’ll let that one go.
Milan
I have no question for now Milan but I am just happy with what you are doing… Sharing your thoughts and touching the lives of travelers is such an accomplishment. Everyday people travel and inquiries will never stop good thing there are someone like you who are willing to help and share their knowledge. Keep up the good work.
On my citi bank master card I have 22 day travel insurance and it says I can’t top it up what does this mean
and can you buy travel insurance wit a deductible.
Rose:
It means what it says. There are many credit cards that do not allow top ups -or “extensions” or add ons by other insurers. In effect, if you are going away for 45 days total you will have to buy a separate insurance plan from another company starting with day 22. The problem with that is that if you get sick on the 20th day and go to hospital on the 22 for treatment–neither of the insurers will cover you. Citi won’t cover you because your loss occcured after the 21st day, and the second insurer won’t cover you because your illness–which occured before its coverage came into effect–would be considered a pre-existing condition.
I also note that the credit card plans that only cover you for short periods also have very limited benefits–low coverage limits, many pre-existing conditions limitations and generally are poor substitutes for dedicated travel insurance plans. My recommendation is to use your Citi card for purchases and hotel reservations, etc., and take out a full coverage travel insurance plan from Day 1. It’s safe, sure and it gives you a lot better coverage.
Milan
Hi
My husband has recently been found to have arrhythmia and we are constantly tweeking his medications for the past 3 months. We live in Ontario and are planning to drive to Florida next week and are unsure if we will be able to get him health insurance. Do we qualify for any insurance to cover him if anything were to happen? Any information is appreciated.
“It appears your husband has an unstable pre-existing conditions, so it may be difficult to find a plan for him. But in any case, he will need to fill out a medical application and answer some medical questions. I encourage you to try several of the insurers on this site. But you must do it immediately if you plan on leaving next week. Click on Insurance Products.”
Milan
Hi there,
I am a Ontario resident who left the country in Nov 2010 to travel for a year (ie will not be back until Nov 2011).
How does affect my residency and taxes?
Also, if I make income while I am travelling out of the country, does this still need to be reported when I file my tax return?
- L
Lily:
If you did not get permission from your provincial government to leave your province for a year, you will lose your residency status and your eligibility for medicare. I don’t know which province you are from so I can’t tell you when that will occur. Most provinces except Ontario and Newfoundland require you to be physically presence for at least 183 days a year in order to maintain your residency and your eligibility for medicare. No province allows a year unless you have acquired special permission from your government or are a student or an employee posted abroad. And even then you would need special permission. As for taxes, I’m no tax expert but I feel quite certain you would have to report your taxes earned either to Canada or to the country in which you have been living. Moreover, if you have been living in the U.S. and earning money, without having a green card or other visa, and if you intend on staying in the U.S. beyond six months, you are breaking a lot of U.S. laws. I strongly recommend you get back home before your six months are up, and and plan out your travels more carefully.
Milan
Can an isnurance provider actually reject a claim if they feel a question on the application was not answered correctly, even though the question has nothing at all to do with the claim? On arriving in Florida in January, I found I had a blood clot in my lower leg from travelling in the car. My insurance provider said I needed to be hospitalized because I did not have an attending physician in Florida to monitor my blood levels, although after spending 3 days in hospital, they were able to provide me with a physician for my follow up from their resgistry. My problem is that according to my medical information to my insurance company, my previous family physician had requested an ultra sound for some discomfort I had in my stomach in 2004. Apparently the ultra sound showed a stone in my gallbladder . I was not aware of the results, but when I visited my new family phusician after moving to another location, I had a discussion with her regarding the possiblity of a stone, as I was thinking that if I did have a stone, they might be able to remove it if I chose to have an elective laproscopic procedure for my reflux condition. She stated that since I’ve never had a gallbladder attack, if anything a stone would probably be asymptomatic. That may be the reason my previous family physician did not advise me back in 2004. My new family physician refererred me to an internist to find out if I would be a good candidate for this elective procedure for my reflux condition and I also discussed the same with him. At no time was I told I actually had a stone nor were any tests done by my new family phsician or the referring internist to confirm this. My new family physician also did not have any official report from my previous family physician to state this either. Now my insurance provider is saying I did not advise them on my application that I ever had stone. I am in excellent health, 68 years of age and have been purchasing travel insurance from Carp for more than 20 years wihout ever having a claim. I take only 2 medications-one for my reflux condition and the lowest dosage possible for cholesterol. Can you please advise me on my problem. I know that if they deny my claim I can file an apeal, but is there anything further I can do before they decide to deny my claim if they cose to do so? Thank you.
Marion:
Yes, an insurer can void your policy and deny your claim if you failed to disclose accurate medical information on application, even if the condition or symptoms disclosed had nothing to do with your medical emergency. It happens often, because insurers rely absolutely on the information provided them on applications. Most insurance applications ask you for facts, not your or your doctor’s opinions about whether a condition was problematic or not. They will likely ask if within a given period–say 120 days- you underwent treatment, or referral, or experienced symptoms, or required medication for …. and then they will list a series of conditions. In your case you may not have known if you had a stone, or you or your physician may not have considered it problematic, but you were likely asked if you were investigated or treated or prescribed medication for a certain condition or set of symptoms. Look at the question you were asked. the insurer’s underwriter makes its decision on your answer.
I can’t answer your question about medications you take and what th einsurer will find acceptable. They all vary, and the details are buried in the policy you are considering. But if your claim is denied, you should demand a detailed report specifying the reasons for denial, any medical reports that the insurer used to substantiate the denial, then ask if the insurer has an independent ombudsman service that can give you an objective assessment of your case. If not, take your case to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Ombudservice–which is specifically designed to handle consumer grievances. It’s free. Don’t take a denial lying down. The insurer owes you a clear, precise, rational explanation for their actions.
Milan
My husband and I left BC on January 01, 2010 for Jamaica where we have a condominium. We returned to Canada on May 05, 2010. We then left again for Jamaica on September 23, 2010 and returned on January 14, 2011. We knew that one could not stay out of BC for more than 182 days consecutively but we were under the impression that we could go back to BC for just a short time (a week, or two or three) and that our 182 day allowance would start again. After reading your very informative articles and replies to questions, it seems that we have got it wrong! This year, we left on February 04 and will return on June 10. Does it mean that we have only 43 days left for being absent from BC until the end of 2011? Do you know if our Provincial Health Insurance will consider my husband’s age (90 on February 2012) as a reason for extending his stay out of BC as travelling long distances is becoming a hardship?
Thank you very much for considering my question.
Madeleine.
Your calculations appear to be correct. B.C operates on a calendar year basis and you are allowed to be out of the province 182 days in total–whether consecutively or in bits and pieces. As for your husband’s travel difficulty, I have not yet heard of any such age dispensation being allowed. It certainly isn’t stated in any of the rules, but there is no harm asking your health ministry. Just don’t inadvertently set off any alarm bells. Usually provincial authorities don’t have too much capability tracking travel patterns very precisely.
Milan
A friend has parents in their seventies and they had asked if I knew anything about catastrophic travel insurance. Essentially there is a very high deductible in the event of a medical claim. I wondered if you know of any insurance providers that offer this product.
Thanks.
Kim:
Yes there are such plans and they offer some great savings. Thanks to Matt Davies, our travel specialist at Ingle International, I can report that TU (Travel Underwriters) Freedom plan has the highest deductible $100,000 for worldwide coverage plus the U.S. It saves 75 percent off normal premiums. There are lower deductibles too. Also, ETFS Medi-Select Advantage offers deductibles up to $10,000 with a 45 percent discount. There are some others on our pages but these are among the best. And you can study them and buy them right online. Just go to our Insurance Products link on the homepage.
Milan
I am not sure if this is the right place to ask my question but here goes. Also, I see other people do not have their last names printed in the above questions so I am going with the assumption that last names will be removed for the public forum. My question: My husband and I live in BC and want to travel to Scotland this summer (in August). I am concerned about travelling outside of Canada because of my physical health and I am hoping that you might have some advice for us that will show us a way to get travel insurance. I am fifty-five years old, my husband 63. I have advanced Osteoporosis, I fracture easily, I currently have at least nine vertebrea that are fractured and compressed. I don’t know how I fractured most of these, meaning it happens without trauma, most of my ribs have been broken at various times in my life, most of them from minimal trauma (ie: coughing/sneezing). I am currently managing pain with Fentanyl pain patches topped up with Demarol and I have yearly infusions of Aclasta (a bone building medication). With effective pain medication I can walk up to four or five kilometers per day, most days of the week, but I no longer work and have been on Permanent/Long-Term Disability for three years. My fear about travelling outside of Canada comes from my understanding that if I were to fall and fracture something that required hospitalization no insurance company would help because it is part of a pre-existing condition. Five years ago we travelled to England and Scotland, on the first day in England, at the beginning of a two week holiday I stumbled while crossing a street and broke three ribs. I didn’t need hospitalization for that but had it been a hip it all would have been different. Since that time I have tried to become more aware of travel insurance limitations and that has made me reluctant to travel. Then I read one of your articles in a magazine and thought perhaps you might know of some way to find insurance that would cover me in spite of my health. Through RBC insurance I understand that I must be ‘stable’ for three months before I even apply for coverage and then I must be ‘stable’ for three months before the actual travel. This is complicated because I am frequently visiting my doctor and adjusting medication dosage. I thank you for reading this and am ever hopeful of finding a way to make it all happen. Catherine
Catherine:
Will Insurers Cover Osteoporosis?
If last names are included, they will be used unless the writer asks otherwise. Many people just send in their first name. On your health issue: virftually all travel insurers in Canada require any pre-existing condition to be “stable” for a certain period before travel. Some require 30 days, some 90, some 180, and often that depends on the condition itself. Also important is the way insurers define stability. It’s not enough to have your doctor declare you stable. You have to be stable according to the insurer’s definition, and in that insurers differ. Most, define instability as manifesting symptoms, requiring a change or alteration in medication, referral for tests or specialty care, treatment by a physician, etc. These are very firm criteria. The fact you are frequently visiting your doctor and adjusting your medication makes your condition problematic for insurers. You will need a medically-underwritten plan, which means you will have to answers questions about your health, and you may possibly only be covered for emergencies unrelated to your osteoporosis. I will send along a copy of this e-mail exchange to Matt Davies, senior product specialist with Ingle International, which represents most of Canada’s major insurers and he can guide you further.
Good luck.
Milan
Hi:
We are leaving for Vegas Sept. 18 for 7 days. My husband has atrial fibrillation. He takes one pill and has had another added on August 8th. There are no other problems eg. blood pressure is good. He is 62. Can you tell us what insurance would cover this. We need a 30 day exception.
Thank you
Marilynn:
I assume you mean a 30-day stability period–which means your husband’s AF must have been stable for at least 30 days prior to your trip. The addition of a medication means the condition is unstable according to the insurer’s definition, and that is pretty well standard. Also, a 30 day stability period is extremely rare–most want at least 90 days. You might try to MediSelect products in our advertiser’s lineup. I will refer your query to one of Ingle’s product specialists, they may be able to help.
Milan
I live in Yuma, AZ for about 6 months of the year, and I understand that I can only stay 183 days in the USA each year. How are the days calculated. For example, we enter the US on November 1 and leave for christmas on Dec 20. Then we return on Jan 3 and stay till Feb 15, when we return home to do T 4 slips and other tax related stuff. Then we return to the US again on Feb 21 and stay till April 20 when we return for the summer. My question is how are these days calculated. I have been told that even though we are home for about 2 weeks at christmas and another 5 or 6 days in February we have to include these days as being in the US. What is the correct way to calculate the days stayed in the US in this example. Sincerely
Vic Wiens
Vic:
You are allowed six months in the U.S., and the U.S. does not count single days but months. Example, if you leave on the 15th of January, you can stay until the 15th of July. that may be more or it may be less than 182 days. You are allowed six months in a calendar year. If you plan on staying six consecutive months, short trips of less than 30 days back to Canada for housekeeping duties such as you describe, cannot be deducted from your six month quota–they are part of it. If you leave the U.S. for 30 days or more, you can deduct that from your quota. What you may need to be careful of is that you spend the requisite number of days in your home province so you remain eligible for your medicare. I don’t know which province you’re from so I can’t tell you what that magic number is. In most cases that will be 183 days. Ontario and Newfoundland have a shorter in-province requirement.
Milan
thanks for your explanation. One more question. You said we are allowed 6 months in the US. If we enter the US on Nov1 and stay till May 1 do the 183 days start over on Jan 1. Not quite sure how that works when we start in one year and stay a portion of the next year.
Sincerely Vic Wiens
Vic:
Yes. The clock starts again on January 1. Example: if you spend from January 1 to May 1 of 2011 in the U.S., that would be four months. But don’t forget to add November and December to your 2011 quota if you also spent those months in the U.S. And never, ever try to add the first six months of 2012 in an unbroken link to the last six months of 2011 to make it a solid 12 months. The border agents won’t let you get away with that.
Milan
This may have been covered, but – we stay in the US for the 182 days in 2011 & intend to do so in the 2012 year. Is this legal or should we using the calculator of the previous 3 years?
Ralph:
Saskatchewan allows you to be out of the country for 182 days per calendar year. You’re fine. Your mention of a 3 year calculation probably refers to the filing of the 8840 form which seeks to determine in you have a closer connection to Canada. According to that, if you spend more than 120 days in the U.S. on average in the previous three years you are deemed to have met the substantial presence test which means the IRS considers you taxable, if, in fact, you generate any income on which taxes may be levied. If you don’t generate any income you need not file with the IRS but you definitely should file the 8840 each year, which substantiates that you have a closer connection with Canada and that allows you the 182 days. If you are doing that, you are complying just fine.
Milan
I live in Ontario Canada and I’m just wondering….
I know I can stay in the U.S for 180 days but once I return home how long do I have to say in Canada before I could return to the U.S for another 180 days?
Thanks, Alexis
Alexis:
The U.S. allows you to visit up to six months per calendar year (January 1 to December 31). There is no requirement that you have to return to Canada for any given period before returning to the U.S. Don’t believe those who say you must return to Canada for six months before you can return to the U.S. again–that is not true. You can return to the U.S. after a relatively short period, but you still can’t exceed your six-month limit for any one calendar year. Also, if you return to the U.S. border for another 180-day visit shortly after you have returned to Canada from a previous one, the U.S. border agent might well presume you are spending more time in the U.S. than in Canada (which you are not allowed to do) and turn you back–which he is allowed to do. Border agents have a lot of discretion and a lot of power. So be reasonable about how you space out your visits.
Milan
your best information is OHIP, it all centers around your health insurance coverage. The answer depends on your age. For now seniors need 5 month ON, others 6 to remain covered without interruption. Ask OHIP. As to how often you can get 90 or 180 days in U.S.A. I don’t really know. Ask a travel office, more than 1.
Your information on how long you can stay out of Ontario is incorrect. It does not depend on your age or whether or not you have travel insurance. Any permanent resident of Ontario is required to by physically present in Ontario for five months within the previous 12. There is no differentiation between seniors or others. Also, whether are sick or healthy, you are entitled to be out of the province for up to seven months within the previous 12. It’s just that if you are sick, you are likely to pay the consequences for not having travel insurance. There is no law requiring you to have health insurance.
Milan
I have a question about travel health insurance. Is there any problem with me taking out a plan witn one company, which offers me a good rate but not my wife, and my wife taking out a plan with another company , which offers her the best rate for her but not for me.
Brent:
No problem. But be aware that since not all plans offer exactly the same benefits or may have different limitations and exclusions, you should not have the same expectations from each. Most people like to deal with one insurer or one agent because it simplifies their understanding of what they get for your money. But if those possible discrepancies don’t bother you, go for the best deal–so long as the plans you choose are not based on price alone, and are tailored to fit each of you.
Milan
I have read most of your responses regarding OHIP coverage when out of the country. I did not find any information on ‘How will OHIP know if a resident has left the country or has not used his card’. Some one asked this question, but no response was posted. Thanks.
Sona:
OHIP won’t know unless they have reason to investigate you. For example, if a neighbour turns you in to the OHIP fraud line, or you submit out of country hospital bills that substantiate you have been out of the country for a long period, or authorities in another country are trying to find you. OHIP does not have eyes in the sky, but if you abuse the rules there are chances somebody may notice and make a report to OHIP in which case you may have to prove your residency.
Milan
Hi Milan,
I was born in Alberta and moved to Ontario in April of 2009 to go to school for 8 months. I had not decided yet whether or not I wanted to stay in Ontario so I kept my Alberta address as my primary one. When school finished I stayed and neglected to get my residency changed over until March 28, 2011 when I lost my wallet and figured I might as well. I have been physically present in Ontario for the last 2.5 years, but not officially.
Now I am hoping to go on a working holiday visa to NZ and I have been informed that I will not be able to extend my OHIP the full 12 months and will lose my health care if I leave and on my return will have to wait 3 months to be reinstated. Is there also a chance of losing my residency? What will happen if I go on my trip and don’t inform OHIP or any authorities of my absence?
I was also considering moving back to Alberta and changing my residency to allow me to still leave. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do?
Amy:
Since you are a Canadian citizen you can live in any province you wish. But in order to benefit from provincial medicare you must establish permanent residency
by living in that province for at least three uninterrupted months and be able to prove it. Best way is to notify your provincial authority as soon as you land, and let them record it. The term “losing your residency ” is academic. You can always regain it be returning and staying in your home province for three months–be that Al;berta or Ontario.
My advice is stay put in one province for at least three months before you go anywhere and check in with that government’s health ministry to make sure they have a record of your stay. As for your going to New Zealand for a year, Ontario allows you to be out of the province for seven months a year, and Alberta six months. Stay longer, and lose your residency and your medic are–unless you get a special dispensation from your health ministry. With your record of moving about, I don’t know if you will get it. But apply to your health ministry.
Trying to understand the 182 day rule,,,,when we come back to Canada in April, do the US border agents know when we arrive back here? How do they figure out how long we were out of country, we told them when we entered the US (in OCT) that we are going for the winter,,,they said we could only stay six months(182 days) so from Oct to Dec is only two+ months in a calendar year and then from Jan to April the following year actually starts a new calendar year so does the US border know when we enter Canada so they can add those months to the rules?
Bob:
According to the U.S. rules you are allowed to stay in the U.S. up to six months per calendar year–in one long stretch, or in several shorter ones. Border agents aren’t always going to know this as there is no checkout procedure for when you leave the U.S. But when you tell them you are going for the winter, they are just making sure you are aware that there is a six-month limit. There is now a lot of shared information between U.S. and Canadian border agencies and there are many different paper trails that can be followed to determine how much time you actually spent in the U.S. over any given time. If an agent senses that you are going to be spending more time in the U.S. than in Canada–regardless whether it is calendar days or a season, he is within his right to deny you entry–and his reasons for doing so are can be very broad. My advice is that you not get paranoid about the issue, but stick to the rules, don’t get greedy, be polite when asked by a border guard how long you intend to stay and make it clear to him it’s no longer than six months, rather than “for the winter.”
Milan
We are snowbirds and returned from the USA on April 28th. We returned to Fort Lauderdale from Edmonton on May 13th spending one evening and then catching a cruise on the 14th to the Caribbean. We flew home on May 21st the day our cruise ship returned to Fort Lauderdale. Then we took another cruise, we flew to Mobile, Alabama on August 12th caught our Mexican cruise on August 13th. We returned to Mobile, Alabama on August 18th through August 23rd returning to Calgary then. How many days does this count towards our total count of 182 in the U.S.A.?
Gerald:
Your question is not clear. When did you enter the U.S. in the first place? As for your cruises–you count the days you spent on your cruise as part of your US quota so long as that number is less than 30 days. if it is more than 30 days per trip, it does not count as part of your U.S. quota. Example: You fly to Fort Lauderdale, stay there one night, and go on a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean then return immediately to Canada–it counts as eight days against your U.S. quota.
Milan
How do I reach the CLHIO? I cannot find a contact or phone # for this on their website. I have called Canada info and they cannot provide me with a number.
Thank You
Ada
CLHIO direct local numer is 416 777-2344, the out of area is 1-800-268-8099.
Milan
Milan, in your recent Canadian MoneySaver article you recommended that travellers have trip interuption/cancellation, driving, collision and medical insurance. Is there anywhere I can do some one-stop shopping to purchase this type of protection or do I need to find seperate policies for each of them?
Steve (Victoria, BC)
Steve:
Trip interuption and emergency out of country medical insurance are often sold as a single package. that’s the best way to cover that base and most of the insurers advertising in this site can provide the medical and trip can cover. The auto insurance is another issue, but if you are thinking of driving your Canadian car into the U.S for a couple of months at a time, you should call you regular auto insurer and check out if you are already covered in the U.S. You may very well not need supplemental coverage for that.
Some Travel insurers also sell auto insurance, but it can get expensive if you plan on being in the U.S. for the whole winter. Check your domestic insurer first.
Milan
Does day trips to the US, less than12 hours count when calculating your total days for a given 12 months?
Mike:
Yes.
Milan
Thanks for your Newsletter. It has been invaluable to us as two retirees new to travelling to the USA in the winter months.
Sir,
If any honorary may be asked, do not read the following.
There is a strong possibility on my agenda that I go on January 8 2012 for a family visit and for a 3-week stay to Myanmar (Burma).
But I, a Canadian citizen, wish to find insurance companies that have the service of furnishing a list of health specialists for the doing by the latter of the review of physicians and hospitals met by myself for at least the past ten years and then helping these companies to guarantee that I may not have « suffered from any pre-existing condition » and may not have « answered my medical application accuratetely ». These quoted words of from your article in the October 2011 issue of the Canadian Money Saver magazine.
Where are these companies?
Cordially,
Gilles Fournier ( Québec, Qué.)
Gilles:
The best way to do this is to contact an insurer directly and let them ask you the questions about your medical history. I suggest you then contact your own doctor and ask him to help you complete the questionnaire on the basis of your medical record–which he should have. An insurance company is not going to invesigate your record to determine before you buy. That’s your responsibility. You can contact any one of the insurers on our site and they can help you. I will refer this email to an insurance specialist who provides services to our readers
and I will ask him to contact you.
Milan
Hi who protects the consumer who buys health insurance from a Quebec company.
Ie if the company becomes insolvant, or refuses to pay a claim, what is the appeal process.
Who regulates these companies, they seem to spring up all over the place each year with a different name.
You pay but can you ever collect in a justified case…
Thanks
Andrew:
The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the financial services regulator in Quebec. All insurers are regulated, and Yes, it is possible to get satisfaction if you have had a claim denied. Overall, claim denials are quite rare, but travel insurance has a lot of limitations and exclusions so you have to know what you’re buying. If you have recently had a claim denied, ask your insurance carrier (not your broker) to give you a detailed reason, in writing for the denial. Then ask to have it appealed to their appeal service. If that doesn’t work take your case right to the Ombudsman for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI). This is an independent group set up to handle consumer complaints, including travel insurance. You can look them up on the internet easily.
Milan
Hi Milan, I am a Canadian resident and I met my “soulmate” who lives in NY. Since June 16/11 we have been travelling back and forth together eg) To NY 6 weeks,back to Canada 2 weeks,then back to NY 6 weeks and back to canada 2 weeks) The last time in NY it was 3 weeks and now back in Canada 2 weeks. Now,we are considering just doing 2 weeks each at a time each from now on. We didn’t have a problem until this passed trip to Canada and we were pulled over and my boyfriend harrassed,saying they believed he didn’t live in NY and was living with me,But he is not.The next time we come through to canada he will have to present his Lease information or will be denied entry. Also they told him he would have to make the decision to marry me and pick a country. Can they do that? We are not ready to make that decision. My question to you is,how can we see each other without causing harrassment and when they you can stay 6 months in a country ,is it just 6 consecutive months or do they count the weeks here and there when crossing, up to 6 months? Thankyou for your time,Gina
Gina:
If you’re being harassed, it’s because you’re asking for it by your pattern of travel.
The 182 days you are allowed in the U.S. is a guide border agents use to determine where you have your primary residence: in effect, are you a Canadian resident or an American. Where do you have a closer connection? Also, it is only reasonable for the agent to wonder how you can live two weeks here and two weeks there and still have permanent employment in one country. And if you don’t have permanent employment or don’t have a permanent home and can prove it, he can justifiably turn you around and not allow you entry. He can do that.
I suggest you will need to make some basic decisions about where and how you want to live, if you want to stop “harassment” at the border.
Milan
Thank you Milan for your timely response and your helpful insite. We both greatly appreciate it. FYI, We are both on disability ,that is why we can go back and forth as we do and we told the border agent that.We can both prove that we have our own apartments within our own countries.We just met in June and are going back and forth meeting each of our families and visiting because it’s a new relationship.We thought that as long as we stayed in 6 month time period, we would be alright until such time we can make the decision on wether we want to permanetly live together in one country or the other. Oh and one other Question, The 182 days,is that based on the calendar year or based on the first initial visit?
Thankyou again for your time and insite,Gina
Gina:
182 days in total in a calendar year: one long visit or a bunch of shorter ones..
Milan
Hello;
We sometimes take short trips across the border and are planning a week cruise from florida. We already have $100,000 in extended health care travel insurance through my pension plan from my former employee, but of course would like to purchase at least a million dollars more of health insurance. As a discount, Could ouur existing coverage, kind of be considered as a $100,000 deductable, since in most medical cases, I’m sure the insurance companies would rarely have to pay out more than that in emergency medical care.
Thanks
Brian:
You would be able to use all or part of your pension plan as a deductible and then top up to one million. But I caution you that once your pension plan benefits are used up they will not be replenished. But you can certainly get a very good discount by using some of that as a deductible. You should discuss that with a travel insurance specialist who can help achieve the best balance. I will send a copy this email to a specialist and he will contact you.
Also, be aware that insurance companies and individual patients are often hit with
claims well exceeding $100,000 especially from U.S. hospitals. And if you are going on a Caribbean cruise and suffer a serious medical emergency, your evacuation could very well be to a U.S. hospital. Air ambulance costs from the Caribbean or Florida would be themselves exceed $20,000.
You have a good idea, worth pursuing.
Milan
Can you help me find student travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions and covers infusion therapy?
Beverley:
That may be tough but I will have a risk specialist contact you.
Milan
Hi;
My name is Pat,…and I’m from Vancouver, B.C. My question is this. I’ve been told that you can never have too much travel insurance. My credit card has travel insurance already,….but we usually purchase extra insurance (medical and trip cancellation, etc) thru another insurer. So,….with this in mind,…..just wondering – In the event of making a claim,……is there any particular order to who should be contacted? Should both insurers be contacted at the same time,…..and how is it decided which company pays for the claimed costs?
Thanks!
Pat
Pat:
First of all, make sure your credit card does have medical coverage and exactly what its limits are. Most do not, unless they are the high end cards for which you pay about $120 a year. In any case if you have additional cover you can contact the last insurer you signed on with–preferably as soon as you are admitted for emergency treatment and tell them you have other insurance. They will sort out between themselves who pays. There is a benefits coordination system for that. Normally, the earlier insurance will pay first and anything left over they don’t cover will be the responsibility of the additional insurer. In your case you may not need to buy additional insurance but you first need to know exactly what your credit card does cover and determine if that is adequate given your age, health status, and travel duration. Many credit cards do not cover people over 65 or 70 (it varies) and most are limited to short coverage periods, like 15 or 20 days. Also, they may not cover pre-existing conditions.
Milan
Thanks Milan;
Thanks for the reply,…..but I’ll be honest,….sometimes it seems like comparing apples and oranges. I will check with the credit card (Visa Avion) and see what it covers exactly. I’m 63, and my wife is 62. I’m already starting to see that there is much more scrutiny after the age of 60. I’m taking one medication for BP,…..and one for cholesterol,….but have no “medical history” or pre-existing problems with either. Am I correct to assume that that is the case,……nothing really pre-existing? One company actually rejected us because we were over 59,…..amazing!
Anyway,……I now have a new question if that’s alright! I’ve just done a comparison between 4 carriers and this is where it really starts to seem like apples and oranges. In some sections they say “up to the limit”,….but don’t say what that limit is,….and others do provide dollar limits. One of the sections is called “Holiday Safeguard”,….do you know that means. And another is called “Change of mind”,……some say N/A,…..but others actually provide an amount. Does that mean a person can just decide,……”I don’t want to go”,……and can be reimbursed for up to what that limit is,…..if there is one?
Thanks again! This is a really helpful site!
Cheers!
Pat
Pat:
On the pre-existing issue: If you are taking blood pressure medication, that will be considered a pre-existing blood pressure condition. The key is whether that condition is stable or not–according to how the policy defines stable. Look up that definition, because if there has been any change in your medication within a given period specified in your policy, or if your doctor has referred you to a cardiologist, etc., all of that could be considred an instability. In effect, if you are taking medication, you do have a history of high blood pressure as the insurer sees it. But many people do and that should not preclude you from coverage if the conditio is stable. But it’s your insurer that defines stability, not you, not your doctor.
On the trip cancellation issue: You may have to look at a different section of the policy to find what the dollar limits are, but they all have them. If not, ask. As for Change of Mind clauses–some allow you to simply change your mind and say I don’t want to go, but these too are subject to dollar or percentage limits. Some will pro rate the amount you get back from your deposit according to when you cancel.
The farther away from your departure date, the more you will get back. Cancel just before you are due to go and you will get less back. You really need to read these policies carefully. They all have limits and remember that they will only reimburse you for funds already paid out and only if your airline or tour operator or resort will not. Also, if an airline or cruise ship gives you a voucher for a future trip lieu of a refund, that will not be considered a loss by the insurer and you will get no reimbursement.
With trip cancellation policies, it’s time for the reading glasses.
Milan
Thanks Milan,…….very much appreciated!
Pat
My son went to visit a friend in the US on September 20 (we live in Alberta). He was unemployed when he went to the US. He wants to stay longer than the 180 days he’s allowed. He is helping his friend with her 4 kids and doing housework, etc. in exchange for room and board. Is there any way for him to stay past the 180 days? If he stays longer without a visa/green card, what will happen? Thank you!
Tamara:
Your son is not allowed to be in the U.S. longer than six months per year as a visitor. Neither is he allowed to be working, which in this case he is, as he is
doing housework in return for room and board. That is not what the six month visitors allowance is designed for. What can happen to him if continues this without a green card? He can be banned from entering the U.S. for several years, perhaps many years. I strongly suggest he return home and keep to the rules or apply for a green card–which, if he is now unemployed–he has little hope of getting. Another serious consideration is that if he remains out of Alberta for more than 182 days, he will lose his eligibility for coverage under his provincial health insurance. Let me put it to you bluntly: if that happens, and the Alberta government catches on and disqualifies him from medicare, who is going to pay hig medical bills if has an accident or becomes serriously ill? Your son is playing a high risk game.
Think seriously about it.
Milan
I have pre existing health conditions. As I understand it, for pre existing health conditions, I am not covered on my retirement health plan, PSHCP, but I am a member of the FSNA, which covers me through MEDOC. Through MEDOC, my undertanding is I have the Basic Plan, no requirement to fill out health Questionaires so am I understanding this properly, that although I have a pre exisiting medical profile, I am covered under MEDOC? Very complicated to me!
Thanks,
AJ Cichelly
AJ:
Nobody will cover unstable pre-existing conditions, so you first of all have to determine stability and for that you need to reach Medoc’s stability definition. I don’t know what your pre-ex’s are so I can’t hazard a guess. The only kind of plan that will cover you without any medical questions is one that covers no pre-existing conditions. It doesn’t sound as if that’s your category. You need to talk
to a Medoc agent, but have a good knowledge of your medical record and the medications you take, when you do.
Milan
At present I am collecting a military pension as well as a military medical pension and I am 48 years old. In the next 2-3 years my husband, who will also be collecting a military pension, and I want to sell everything lock, stock and barrel, purchase a motorhome and travel. We are thinking about travelling throughout Canada, USA, Mexico and possibly South America and taking 5-6 years to do this.
We are not planning to rush back to Canada, let’s say if we are in South America, just to meet the 183 day rule, especially not in a motor home. Will this sever ties to being viewed as a Canadian resident even though we have a Canadian passport to prove our residency?
We will be maintaining a current BC drivers licence along with BC insurance on our vehicle, does this ensure our Canadian residency?
Since neither one of us is over 60 yet and we are not collecting CPP or OAS will our military pensions be affected by being out of the country for so long?
We can’t be the first people to be doing this but I can’t seem to find and answer to my questions. There are all kinds of sites for snowbirds, but we aren’t that old yet. Thanks in advance for any answers.
That’s a lot of questions:
A Canadian passport does not prove residency. A lot of Canadian citizens who live in other countries are not residents of Canada. If you leave BC for longer than 183 days you risk losing your residency and your provincial medicare benefits. You have to physically live in your province, not just own property or have a drivers licence. I can’t speak to your military pensions, but usually you can always collect those no matter where you are, but you’ll have to check that one out with the government.
Milan
Thanks, that at least answers some of my questions. I will keep digging for the rest.
We have 30 day travel coverage with Blue Cross. It is an annual policy up for renewal in May 2012. I have two questions.
1. Today we had a nurse come to the house for an application to purchase a new life insurance policy. My husband’s blood pressure read high so she took several reading including laying down. He had a sore back from lifting and she said that may have caused the higher readings so no need to run to the doctor. Would this be considered a pre-existing condition if he was admitted for anything heart related while away even though he hasn’t been to the doctor?
2. We use the 30 day quite often to travel to our place 1 1/2 hours drive over the US border. If we go to the US, return home and visit the doctor for a regular physical and a condition arises do we have to report that to our insurance company even though it was after we purchased the policy?
Kate:
Good questions. In an annual multi-trip policy such as yours, you are required to tell your insurer about any change in your health status before the start of your next 30-day trip segment. Each segment is considered a separate trip even though you bought coverage for a year. In your case, you should definitely tell your insurer of the high blood pressure incident because it might be considered a pre-ex for any subsequent trips. If it’s only an incidental case–as it seems to be–the insurer may alter your rate somewhat but it won’t be much, and you will be covered in case something really serious happens.
There’s no reason the life insurance nurse would know about the pre-existing details in a travel policy,so you can’t blame her for her advice. But you are wise to question the possibility of a pre-exist in this situation. Too many people don’t.
Milan
I found the answer to question #2 – Exclusions are applicable before each departure.
I understand the 30-day rule for snowbirds, i.e. that if you return for a brief visit of less than 30 days the US border patrol counts it against you 182 days per year.
However, what about frequent trips back and forth across the border during the year, where you go to the US for a couple of weeks and then return to Canada for two weeks and then go back down to the US again? Since I would not be returning to Canada for 30 days between trips to the US each time does the US border patrol count my days back in Canada as days spent in the US?
Thank you.
Paula:
That 30-day rule you describe applies only to long-term stays such as the five or six month snowbird trips–not to the short frequent trips most non-snowbirds take.
Milan
My Daughter is 18 , she is staying with a friend in Florida to help her with her family. She is not working nor is she being paid. Is this considered an extended vacation ? She has been down there for a month and a half, and would like to come home again for a week then return to Florida. We live in Ontario. How long is she allowed to be down there without coming back to Canada. and still maintain her canadian status? Its very confusing as whenever she crosses the border she is questioned extensively as to when she is returning to Canada sometimes we dont know exactly when she will be returning. We usually book a oneway ticket for her to go down. She will not be down there forever but needs to trave;l back and forth as needed. The laws are very confusing how long can she stay down there and how long does she have to be in Ontario in the next year. Please Help
Trainor:
The rules are not confusing, we repeat them here every day and they don’t change. But what you are doing is putting a lot of needless anxiety on your daughter. First of all–the rule is that she is not allowed to stay as a visitor in the U.S. for more than six months (about 182 days) within the past year or in a calendar year. She can do that in one stretch or in a series of short trips. But sending her on a one-way ticket is begging for trouble. Border agents want to be sure she is going back to Canada and when. They don’t like one-way trips because too many people try smuggling themselves into the U.S. on one-way trips and they don’t come back. Be specific about her plans and be honest. And if she is working–even though she is not getting paid for it, she might be kept out as she could be considered to be taking a job away from someone already in the U.S.
Think through your plans a little more carefully. If your daughter is 18, not a student in the U.S., and doesn’t have a job in Canada which requires her steady attendance, she is highly suspect to any border agent.
Milan
Is there any Travel Insurence Co.which would insure me exept my Aneurysm which is bigger then 3.5 cm ?I am 83 Years old and like to go 3 month to Austria. Thank you Egon
Egon:
I’m not sure it’s possible but I will pass this request on to our special coverage specialist.
Milan
Good Morning Milan:
We purchased annual multi-plan Travel Medical Insurance Sept. 2011 from Manu-Life. After watching Market-place on CBC my husband revisited the questionnaire and after speaking to our doctor discovered that he had misunderstood one of the questions , corrected it and immediately got in touch with Manu-Life with the correction. The agent cancelled his policy and refused any rebate. Is this an appropriate response and if not what would you suggest?
My husband had a TIA in 2008 and subsequently had surgery in 2010 to clear out his right Carotid Artery. The doctor is monitoring his left carotid with ultra-sounds every 6 months. He is also being monitored for an abdominal aneurism 4.1.. discovered in 2008. Presently he is on blood thinner, high blood pressure and cholesterol medication. The doctor is closely monitoring his health issues and is not concerned. We are planning a cruise in August and are in the process of searching for Travel Medical Insurance which is difficult. We would appreciate any help you are able to give.
Luba:
I would not recommend the Marketplace program as any indication of Manulife’s reliability. I thought the show was poorly done. I doubt you’ll get your rebate back from your agent as he did his work and the policy was cancelled by Manulife. If you want to take it further you might contact TICO if you live in Ontario. This is the group that deals with complaints against agents. The agent works for you, not Manulife. I can’t comment on your husband’s medical profile as that is for an insurer’s medical underwriters to examine. But I will pass on your question directly to our insurance specialist who will contact you with suggestions for further application.
Milan
Dear Milan: Good news – my husband has been re-instated with his policy. The program mentioned above did give him cause to review the questionnaire and he was able to correct a misunderstood question which would have been costly if ignored. Thank you for your kind attention. We will look forward to your insurance specialist contacting us for future application.
Hello: Let us say that a person visits the USA without any travel health insurance. During the stay he/she requires hospitalization and the bill amounts to a hefty figure even in the 6 or 7 digits. What recourse does the hospital have against the patient to recover the amount owed??? I assume they could turn the account over to a collection agency in Canada for whatever good that would be. But could the hospital sue the patient in a Canadian court to obtain a lien or force a sale on the patient’s Canadian property?
Ray:
Yes to all your questions. But hospitals are very reluctant to do that and will go a very long way to settle any bill–even accepting a small percentage of charges if payment is made promptly. But, why would you even consider going to the U.S. without health insurance?
Milan
Hi Milan;
Thank you for your reply and it is as I was certain it would be. My query was not with regard to myself but with regard to a “discussion” (read argument) with a neighbour who insists that the hospital can do nothing once you’re back in Canada. Thanks again for your advice.
Ray
Hi Milan,
I live in Nova Scotia and my husband to be lives in Texas, he is originally from Nova Scoita, Canada also, but has worked in Texas for over 18yrs. How do I go about moving there with him and being able to work ? Is it better to marry in Canada or in Texas?
I went down Oct 13th,2011 and returned to Nova Scotia the 29th of March 2012. Am I aloud back there before my six months is up? And can I apply for a work visa with a sponsor ?
Thanks
Sharon:
There is no easy way to get a work permit. You have to apply through the consulate but first you need to have a firm job offer, documented to Immigration standards. They have paperwork you and your employer must fill out. Word of mouth won’t do it. Gett5ing green cards is a tough, long business, especially in this economy. You may be able to go down with your husband if you marry but that still does not allow you to work. You need to get together with the U.S. consulate on these things. Also it looks as if you have used up your six months allotment so you will have to wait before you go down on a visit again. You have already used up six months out of the past 12.
Milan
Milan,
I am confused by the last sentence in your reply to Sharon.
My understanding is that you are allowed to vsit the USA for 6 months at a time AND 6 months each calender year.
Since Sharon has only spent 89 days (Jan 1st to March 29th) in the USA in 2012 so far then she still has up to 93 days left in her 2012 allotment.
Is this correct or am I missing something? As a snowbird I follow your comments closely and have found them to be invaluable in understanding the USA and provincial health care rules.
Bob:
You are correct, she has 93 days left in the year. The only correction to your statement is that you are allowed 6 months out of the last 12 OR 6 months in any calendar year. You can’t have both. That would make 12.
Put it practically, in the eyes of a border agent: if you spent the last half of 2011 in the U.S., and then popped up again at the border January 3 in 2012 saying you are going for another 6 months, you would raise an eyebrow.
Milan