CAA Saskatchewan Fall 2016 | Page 43

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 43