If you’re shopping for travel insurance, you need to be aware that travel insurance policies cover pre‑existing medical conditions if they meet the insurer’s definition of being “stable”.
Travel insurance can be valuable. You should know that your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) may not cover all your health needs when out of province.
Some expenses that may not be covered in this instance could include hospitalization, ambulatory transportation, and refills on prescription drugs if they are related to a pre-existing condition. Travel insurance may help fill health coverage gaps. But you need to know how pre-existing conditions can impact your coverage.
Here’s what you should know about what qualifies in general as a pre-existing or stable condition and how your health status impacts shopping for travel insurance.
Pre-existing conditions are medical conditions that existed before the effective date of your policy.
Insurers will require that any previous medical condition be stable for a specified period before your departure date. It’s important to research what is considered a pre-existing condition before you purchase travel insurance.
Emergency Medical and Comprehensive insurance plans from Allianz Global Assistance offer a wide range of emergency medical and dental benefits when out of province, with exclusions such as pre-existing conditions. Coverage exclusions apply because not every health condition is unexpected or unforeseen.
Here’s how our travel insurance plans define a pre-existing condition:
- Based on your age and/or the length of your trip, our plans specify a period (for example, 90, 150, or 180 days) that a previous medical condition must be stable prior to the effective date of your policy.
- If the medical condition is not stable and you need to file a claim for something related to that same medical condition, your claim will not be covered.
- In addition to exclusions for pre-existing conditions, other exclusions may apply, including elective treatment and participation in extreme or high‑risk sports.
To help you understand what insurers usually mean by a “stable” pre‑existing condition, here are some common requirements. Keep in mind that these can vary by insurer and policy:
- A “stable” health condition describes any medical condition or related condition for which there has been no new treatment or change in treatment type or frequency. Conditions must be stable for a period of time specified by the insurer.
- You must also not have a new diagnosis, test results showing deterioration, hospitalization, or referral to a specialist.
- You cannot be awaiting surgery or the result of medical investigations.
If your condition has been stable, you may benefit from purchasing insurance that requires your condition to have been stable for a certain period.
What is key to remember is that conditions are considered pre-existing if they are diagnosed, treated or assessed before you purchase your insurance.
Check your insurer guidelines to learn whether your illness qualifies under your insurers’ timelines as a pre-existing condition. Also, keep in mind that some travel insurance plans, such as some offered by credit card companies, may not offer any emergency medical coverage.
To check if you’re eligible for our emergency medical benefits, ensure you meet the following criteria:
- You or your dependents travelling with you must be Canadian residents, insured under a Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan, not advised against travel by a physician, and should not be travelling to receive medical treatment of alternative therapy.
- Must not have been diagnosed with or received treatment for a terminal condition, or have received palliative care for that condition, within the last two years.
- If you are 65 or older, you must not require assistance with the activities of daily living.
If you have a medical condition and need travel insurance coverage, your insurer may require you to disclose medical information related to your illness. If you knowingly either fail to disclose information or make false statements, your policy may be void.
If you find you have made an error in disclosing your information, contact your insurance company immediately with updated documentation from your doctor.
Travel insurance with emergency medical coverage can be valuable. If you have an on-going medical condition, it’s important to find travel insurance that fits your medical needs. Be sure you know your insurer’s policies on pre-existing conditions.
Get a travel insurance quote today to learn how an Allianz Global Assistance Travel insurance plan may help give you peace of mind on your next trip.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice. Allianz Global Assistance is not responsible for the use of external websites or the content or accuracy of external website information.
