Emergency Travel Medical Insurance

A Stability Period Exclusion is a common clause in Emergency Travel Medical Insurance policies. This exclusion refers to a specified period before the start of your trip during which any medical conditions must remain stable for coverage to be provided.

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Key Points to Understand:

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Definition of Stability:

A condition is considered stable if there have been no new symptoms, no changes in medication or treatment, and no new diagnoses or test results indicating the condition has worsened.

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Duration of the Stability Period:

The length of the stability period can vary between insurance providers, typically ranging from 90 to 180 days before the commencement of your trip.

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Implications of the Exclusion:

If your medical condition has not been stable for the required stability period, any claims related to that condition may be denied. This includes situations where the condition worsens or requires medical attention while you are traveling.

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Examples:

• If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension, it must remain controlled and unchanged for the entire stability period before your travel for it to be covered under your policy.
• If you recently experienced a heart attack or had surgery, you need to ensure that your condition is stable for the specified period to avoid exclusion.

Importance for Travelers:

Understanding and adhering to the stability period exclusion is crucial for ensuring your emergency travel medical insurance is valid. It is advisable to review your medical history and potentially consult with your physician to confirm that your conditions meet the stability requirements of your insurance policy.

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Tips for Compliance:

• Pre-Trip Check-Up: Schedule a medical check-up well before your trip to verify the stability of any existing conditions.
• Policy Review: Carefully read the terms and conditions of your travel medical insurance policy, paying close attention to the stability period and any related exclusions.
• Consult Your Insurance Advisor: If you have any questions or concerns about how the stability period exclusion might apply to your situation, consult with your insurance advisor for personalized guidance.

Understanding the Stability Period Exclusion helps ensure that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency during your travels.

While the importance of travel insurance is well-recognized for international trips, it's also important for domestic travel within Canada. Even if you're just exploring another province, like a trip to the Canadian Rockies, your provincial health insurance might not fully cover medical expenses like ground or air ambulance services, X-rays, emergency dental treatments, and prescription medications outside your home province.

To extend your travel insurance for a longer journey than initially planned, you must obtain a new policy before your current policy's expiration date, as indicated on your Confirmation of Coverage. Be aware that eligibility for extended coverage may be affected if you, your travel companion, or a family member experienced a medical issue or injury during the initial coverage period. This also applies to pre-existing conditions that required medical assessment. Additionally, age restrictions may apply for certain policy types. It's advisable to contact your advisor promptly upon deciding to extend your trip to discuss the feasibility and terms of purchasing additional coverage for the extended travel period.

Travel insurance policies have specific exclusions and limitations. Key exclusions often include pre-existing medical conditions, complications arising from pregnancy, injuries from high-risk sports and activities, and incidents involving the use of illegal or certain legal substances. Additionally, claims related to war, kidnapping, terrorism, riots, strikes, or civil unrest are typically not covered. It's crucial to thoroughly read the policy's exclusion section to fully understand the scope and limitations of your coverage before your trip.

Travel insurance policies generally exclude pre-existing medical conditions, defined as conditions present before your policy's start date. All travel insurance will have a 'stability period' -often requiring stability in the pre-existing condition(s) for a set period (e.g., 3-months, 6-monnths, 9-months) prior to departure. If a condition hasn't been stable within this timeframe and you file a claim related to it, it will typically mean that any medical expenses relating (directly or indirectly) to the condition will not be covered.

A pre-existing condition typically refers to any illness, injury, or medical condition that existed before your travel insurance policy's start date. This includes conditions that have been diagnosed, as well as those for which you've received treatment or experienced symptoms, regardless of a formal diagnosis. It's crucial to disclose all such conditions when applying for insurance, even if they seem minor, to ensure full coverage and avoid potential issues during claims.