When Can You Obtain Emergency Travel Medical Insurance After Cancer Treatments?

Imagine planning a much-needed vacation after months of cancer treatments, only to discover that you cannot get the emergency travel medical insurance you need to feel safe. This exact situation happened to one of our clients, a 70-year-old woman from Alberta, who was excited to embark on a cruise down the west coast of the United States, Mexico, and Central America with a friend.

She had recently been undergoing chemotherapy treatments but was declared "fit for travel" by her doctor. Looking forward to some rest and relaxation, she was eager to book the trip. However, despite her doctor’s approval, she was unable to obtain emergency travel medical insurance coverage. Without adequate coverage, any medical emergencies related to her cancer would not be covered, leaving her personally responsible for potentially high medical bills. Unfortunately, this led to the cancellation of her cruise.

Why Wasn’t She Able to Get Travel Coverage?

The issue came down to a couple specific clauses in travel insurance policies, and her situation met the criteria for exclusions. Here are the key reasons she was denied coverage:

1. Recent Treatment: She had received chemotherapy treatments within the last 90 days, which many popular insurers specifically exclude from coverage.
2. Pending Treatment: She had a scheduled appointment for further treatment, which was another red flag for insurers.

Most emergency travel medical policies have strict clauses regarding pre-existing conditions, particularly cancer, that need to meet the insurer’s definition of "stable." For example, Allianz and TuGo both exclude coverage if treatment has been received within 90 days of the trip, or if any further treatments are scheduled.

What Does “Stable” Mean for Cancer Patients?

Stability is a key term that insurers use to assess whether you’re eligible for coverage. For cancer patients, it typically means:

• You haven’t received active treatment (like chemotherapy or radiation) for at least 90 days.
• You don’t have any future treatments or surgeries scheduled.
• Your condition isn’t worsening, and no new treatments or changes in medication have occurred recently.

If you meet these criteria, you might be able to obtain travel coverage. However, you should always check with the insurer to confirm their specific stability period requirements and other medical conditions that could affect your coverage.

When Can You Get Travel Coverage Again?

If you’ve recently undergone cancer treatment, here’s when you might be eligible for emergency travel medical coverage again:

• At least 90 days have passed since your last cancer treatment.
• You have no future treatments or medical procedures scheduled.
• Your condition is considered "stable" under the insurer’s definition, meaning no significant changes in medication or health have occurred.

It’s important to keep these requirements in mind when planning travel after cancer treatment. Even if your doctor says you’re fit to travel, insurers have their own criteria to assess risk.

Traveling Within Canada – A Lower Risk Option

If you’re unable to obtain travel insurance for international trips due to recent cancer treatments, you may want to consider travelling within Canada. As a Canadian citizen, you’re covered by your provincial health care plan (GHIP), which means your medical expenses will generally be taken care of if you travel within the country. This offers a lower-risk alternative until you meet the stability period and are eligible for international travel insurance. That said, travelling without insurance within Canada still isn't entirely risk-free, as you may be on the hook to pay certain expenses such as ambulance rides (ground or air) should you need them in a medical emergency.

Conclusion

While it’s disappointing not to be able to travel immediately after cancer treatments, knowing when you’re eligible for emergency travel medical insurance can help you plan ahead. If you’ve received recent treatment, it’s important to ensure your condition is "stable" and that no future treatments are scheduled before you seek coverage. In the meantime, traveling within Canada offers a safer option while you wait for the right time to explore the world.