Your travel coverage questions answered (before you book that trip)
Planning a vacation? Business trip? That cottage getaway that somehow turned into a month-long adventure in Europe?!
Before you pack your bags, let’s talk about something that could save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress: your emergency travel coverage.
If you’ve got group benefits through work, chances are you already have emergency medical travel assistance included in your extended health plan. But here’s the thing—most people don’t really understand how it works until they need it. And trust me, a medical emergency in another country is not the time to be figuring out your coverage details.
What you actually have (and what you don’t)
Your emergency travel coverage isn’t a free-for-all. It comes with some specific rules that are worth knowing:
Typical Trip Duration Limits
Your coverage depends on how old you are and how long you’re away:
- Under 70: Covered for the first 90 days of your trip
- 70-79 years old: Covered for the first 60 days
- 80 and older: Covered for the first 30 days
Notice these are emergency coverage limits. If you’re planning to snowbird in Arizona for four months and you’re 75, you’ll need additional coverage after those first 60 days.
Typical Coverage Amounts
- Under 70: Up to $5 million per person (yes, million)
- 70 and older: Up to $1 million per person
Those numbers sound huge, but medical costs outside Canada can be astronomical. A heart attack in the US can easily hit six figures.
The “stable” condition question everyone asks
Here’s where it gets tricky. Your travel coverage won’t pay for medical issues related to pre-existing conditions that weren’t “stable” before you left.
What does “stable” mean? You’re considered stable if, in the months before your departure, you haven’t had:
- Changes to treatments or medications
- New, more frequent, or more severe symptoms
- Upcoming tests or procedures scheduled
- Test results showing a worsening condition
The gray area: How many months back do they look? Sometimes 6–12 months, sometimes 90 days—every situation is different and gets reviewed individually if a claim comes up.
When in doubt, make the call
If you’ve got a medical condition and you’re not sure if you’re considered “stable,” don’t guess. Call the emergency assistance provider before you travel.
Yes, it might mean waiting on hold during busy travel seasons. Yes, you’ll need to share personal medical details. But it’s way better than finding out you’re not covered when you’re in a hospital in Costa Rica.
Can you do it? As your advisor, we are always here for you—but we can’t take this one on. If you know you have an unstable medical condition and still want to travel, we can help you with specialty travel coverage.
Travel advisories also matter
Your coverage doesn’t apply if you travel somewhere the Canadian government says “Don’t go.” Check the Government of Canada travel advisories before you book.
If there’s an “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” advisory for your destination, you won’t be covered. Even if your travel is essential and there’s an advisory, you’ll need to call ahead to confirm coverage.
The paperwork stuff
Some countries want proof of medical coverage before they’ll let you in. Your provincial health card plus your group benefits card usually does the trick, but if you need an official letter from the insurance company, give us at least 15 business days’ notice.
Pro tip: Always travel with your benefit card. It has your group policy and certificate numbers, which you’ll need if you have to call for help. If you’ll be in a place without Wi-Fi, take a screenshot of your card from your app so you have it in your photos.
What actually counts as an “emergency”
This might seem obvious, but it’s worth clarifying. Emergency coverage is for sudden, unexpected medical issues that need immediate treatment.
It’s NOT for:
- Routine check-ups while you’re away
- Prescription refills
- Managing chronic conditions with your regular treatment plan
- Elective procedures you decided to get while traveling
Business travel: Don’t assume you’re automatically covered
Going to a conference in Toronto? Flying to Vancouver for client meetings? That sales trip to Chicago?
Here’s something most people don’t think about: some travel policies have restrictions on business versus personal travel. And the differences can be subtle but important.
The question you need to ask: Does your group travel coverage apply to business trips and personal trips?
Most modern group benefits cover you regardless of why you’re traveling. But some older policies or specific plan designs might have limitations. For example:
- Coverage might only apply to “vacation” travel
- Business travel might require pre-approval
- There could be different coverage limits for work-related trips
- Some policies exclude coverage if you’re traveling for work to the same destination repeatedly.
Why this matters: If you’re traveling for business and something goes wrong, you don’t want to discover your coverage doesn’t apply because you were “working” instead of “vacationing.”
The easy fix: Check your benefit booklet or give us a call. It takes two minutes to confirm, and it could save you thousands if something happens.
For employers: Make sure your team knows the rules. The last thing you want is an employee stuck with massive medical bills from a work trip because they assumed they were covered.
Pro tip for frequent business travelers: If you’re on the road a lot for work, consider whether your current coverage limits make sense. Someone traveling internationally for business monthly might need different protection than someone taking one vacation a year.
Here’s the TLDR
Group benefits travel coverage is one of those benefits that seems straightforward until you need it. The rules exist for a reason, but they can be confusing when you’re trying to figure out if you’re covered.
Before every trip, ask yourself:
- Am I traveling somewhere safe according to government advisories?
- How long will I be away, and does that fit my age-based coverage limits?
- Do I have any medical conditions that might not be considered “stable”?
- Is this business travel? Does my policy cover this trip?
- Do I have my benefit card and know who to call in an emergency?
If any of those raise red flags, it’s worth a conversation before you leave.
At Healthwise Benefits, we’re always happy to help you understand your coverage and work with your insurer to get any documentation you might need.
Travel should be about relaxation and adventure, not worrying about medical bills. Need help before your next trip? Schedule a call today.
Safe travels!
