Insurance Question

Hi there, I've read through some of the insurance posts and I've googled insurance, travel, and pacemaker, but still am not completely clear. So I'm hoping that maybe somebody has some further info for me so I know the right questions to ask before I call the insurance agencies to make sure I get the info from the horse's mouth - so to speak.

I am Canadian, I know that other countries will be able to take care of me if I need care while on a trip. My concern is not wanting to mortgage my house if I were to need a trip to the ER. Somebody told me that I would not be covered unless it was at least 3 months from the last "episode" - not sure what an episode means. Another person told me that they were told that it was at least a year from the last surgery. My sister who lives in San Fran says that if you have a preexisting condition you will never be covered.

I am not anticipating any problems but I need to know that I can visit a clinic or go an ER if I am experiencing difficulties without owing a bazillion dollars upon my return home.

Any Canadians with recent insurance experience?

6 Comments

Not to worry

by Theknotguy - 2015-02-06 09:02:14

Went on a trip from the USA to the UK last year just after my PM implant. The two travel tour companies were Trafalgar and Insight. Both are active in the UK, USA, and Canada.

Discussions with our tour advisor through AAA as far as medical insurance were no problem. My wife and I were able to purchase a comprehensive package. Since there are a lot of people traveling with medical conditions, the medical insurance packages covered all conditions.

We had a great trip. Hope this helps.

Thanks!

by Charlotteis - 2015-02-06 09:02:43

Relieved to hear this! My husband has been travelling a lot lately with work - specifically to London, Glasgow, and Dublin, and I was afraid I was never going to comfortably be able to accompany him.

Did you have to use their ER or clinics?

Re-Check

by Theknotguy - 2015-02-07 04:02:32

Based upon your second comment, you may want to check with your medical insurance company.

We took a trip through AAA and Insight over to the UK. Under the trip package we were covered by a medical insurance package for that trip only. We would have had to use the UK facilities but expenses would have been covered under the package. Since AAA books thousands of trips per year, they have worked out a comprehensive package with a medical insurance provider. Pre-existing conditions, etc. didn't matter as they cover a large group of people.

If you are traveling with your husband on a business trip, Sparrow is correct, you'll have to see how you are covered. You'll also have to see where covered, what kind of coverage, etc.

The trip to the UK was given the green light by my EP as they have a good heart care system over there and are up on the latest. So as far as the PM was considered I was OK. Travel to other countries outside of Europe, the USA, Canada, and the UK can be spotty as to how much medical knowledge and support is available.

Some questions to ask. What kind of coverage does your husband's company provide? You can't be the first person with this problem so what have they done. What kind of coverage does your health insurance provide? Do they have a rider that can be put on the policy to cover your situation? How much would it cost? Does your health insurance company have an overseas provider that would cover you while with your husband on a business trip.

Hopefully you can get some good answers.

Thanks!

by Charlotteis - 2015-02-08 09:02:01

Thanks for the info! I definitely have a place to start now.

Supplemental insurance

by 0300hours - 2015-04-25 09:04:24

I had a pacemaker implanted less than three weeks ago. I already had a flight booked but my work insurance may not cover any heart related problems. The CAA insurance package is fairly reasonable and the requirement is that I am stable for seven days prior to travel. I think it was around $20/day. I have no comorbidities.

Awesome!

by Charlotteis - 2015-04-25 10:04:21

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

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