A F i e l d G u i d e to s n ow b i r d i n G
Pricey
Procedures
the cost of commo n
misha ps a n d a ilmen ts
a r ou n d the wor ld *
heart bypass, Australia:
$53,000
mend a broken wing
travel medical insurance is the single most important tool in
a snowbird’s toolbox. “Without it, you could be on the hook for a
six-figure medical bill before you fly back home,” macdonald says.
follow these eight rules to ensure a happy and healthy journey.
and learn more at caask.ca/insurance
EVERYONE NEEDs IT
If you’re leaving the country—or
even the province—you should always
purchase travel medical insurance. Most outof-country hospital and emergency services
are not covered by Saskatchewan Health.
RULE
#
1
BUY BEFORE YOU LEAVE
You must purchase coverage before
leaving the country or province. You
will not be able to buy coverage during an
emergency.
RULE
#
2
YOU CAN GET COVERAGE
EVEN IF YOU HAVE A pREExIsTING mEDICAL CONDITION
“Coverage is available for people with preexisting conditions through CAA Travel
Insurance,” MacDonald says. “We want all
our Members to be able to travel, so we
provide a rider that extends coverage to preexisting conditions.” There are eligibility
requirements, however, so always check with
your CAA Travel or Insurance consultant.
3-day hospital stay, u.s.:
$38,000
RULE
#
5
“mEDICAL TOURIsm”
WILL NOT BE COVERED
Planned procedures, like elective
surgeries and routine doctor checkups, won’t
be covered: Only emergencies are insured.
fractured shoulder, mexico:
$25,000
Broken leg, hawaii:
$20,000
RULE
GET THE RIGHT pLAN
Pick your plan based on duration
and frequency of travel. If you’re only
going on one trip, purchase a single-trip plan.
But if you take a few trips spread over the
year, a multi-trip plan offers the best rate.
There are several durations available. Contact
a CAA Travel or Insurance consultant to
discuss your needs.
RULE
#
3
BE COmpLETELY HONEsT ON
mEDICAL qUEsTIONNAIREs
Your insurance provider can access
your medical history once you start a claim.
If you don’t disclose conditions upfront and
truthfully, many insurance companies will
assess a penalty, void your policy or deny a
claim—even if a procedure has nothing to do
with the incorrect information. Give yourself
plenty of time to fill out the forms. If you’re
unsure of an answer, consult your physician.
RULE
#
4
#
6
ADVENTURE TRAVEL mAY
NOT BE COVERED
Some policies exclude extreme sports
like zip lining or bungee jumping, but most
CAA policies will cover such activities. Always
read the fine print of your policy or discuss
your adventure plan with your CAA Travel or
Insurance consultant before taking the leap.
Air ambulance to
saskatchewan: $25,000+
RULE
#
7
CALL THE NUmBER ON
YOUR INsURANCE CARD
In an emergency, present the wallet
card at the hospital and call the number on
it immediately. This will start the claims
process and get you instant support from your
insurance provider.
Appendectomy, france:
$5,800
RULE
#
8
Tylenol tablet in hospital, u.s.:
$48
*Costs are approximate
averages and/or may be subject
to regional fluctuations.
CAA SASKATCHEWAN
fAll 2016
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