medical or travel insurance for Canadian traveling to the US
August 27, 2023 7:27 AM Subscribe
I'm looking into travel insurance options for a teenager with a pre-existing condition that makes it well within the realm of possibility that they'll need to visit an emergency room while on vacation in the US from Canada.
My youngest (15 yrs old) has dislocated their shoulder twice in the past 6 months. The 2nd dislocation happened easily (they rolled over while their arms were positioned above their head). Subsequent dislocations are highly probable and surgery is likely inevitable, but not yet scheduled. I've traveled to the US a fair bit (my sister lives in the Chicago area), and have never purchased health or travel insurance for any of our visits. Given how easily it has become for my child to require emergency medical care, I would like to purchase something ahead of any future visits.
What kind of coverage do we need? I take it that insurance companies will likely consider the previous dislocations to be evidence of a pre-existing condition, so where does that leave us? Can we still purchase insurance that would allow them to be treated in an emergency room in the US without it costing me thousands of dollars? Do you have any suggestions for best insurance companies to deal with for something like this? Driving back to Canada (Ontario) in the event of a dislocation isn't an option since it's a 7hr car ride and too painful to tolerate for any length of time. My sister lives close to a hospital. Should I check with the hospital to see what type of insurance they'd need to cover an er visit? Previous visits here in Ontario have required multiple sets of x-rays, anesthetic (quick, dissociative stuff, not a general anesthetic), and a couple of doctors to do the reduction procedure.
My youngest (15 yrs old) has dislocated their shoulder twice in the past 6 months. The 2nd dislocation happened easily (they rolled over while their arms were positioned above their head). Subsequent dislocations are highly probable and surgery is likely inevitable, but not yet scheduled. I've traveled to the US a fair bit (my sister lives in the Chicago area), and have never purchased health or travel insurance for any of our visits. Given how easily it has become for my child to require emergency medical care, I would like to purchase something ahead of any future visits.
What kind of coverage do we need? I take it that insurance companies will likely consider the previous dislocations to be evidence of a pre-existing condition, so where does that leave us? Can we still purchase insurance that would allow them to be treated in an emergency room in the US without it costing me thousands of dollars? Do you have any suggestions for best insurance companies to deal with for something like this? Driving back to Canada (Ontario) in the event of a dislocation isn't an option since it's a 7hr car ride and too painful to tolerate for any length of time. My sister lives close to a hospital. Should I check with the hospital to see what type of insurance they'd need to cover an er visit? Previous visits here in Ontario have required multiple sets of x-rays, anesthetic (quick, dissociative stuff, not a general anesthetic), and a couple of doctors to do the reduction procedure.
Typically, a Canadian travel insurance policy will have an exclusion for conditions that aren't stable within some time period before departure. I just checked my most recent policy and they go on to say that an unstable condition includes anything you are on a waiting list for treatment or diagnosis for, which sounds like it would apply to your teenager, but I think it would be worth asking an insurer or two to see what they say. They also do offer, at additional cost, a policy that specifically covers conditions that aren't stable before departure, so paying extra for that may be an option. I've generally purchased plans from TuGo, which seems fine as far as insurance companies go.
Speaking to the hospital won't help, this is a question for the insurer.
Many travel credit cards offer coverage for trips up to a couple weeks and some of them cover your family as well as the cardholder. It might be worthwhile to look into one of those as well. If not, you can get a year-long policy from an insurer that covers any trips up to X days within a year.
posted by ssg at 10:11 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Speaking to the hospital won't help, this is a question for the insurer.
Many travel credit cards offer coverage for trips up to a couple weeks and some of them cover your family as well as the cardholder. It might be worthwhile to look into one of those as well. If not, you can get a year-long policy from an insurer that covers any trips up to X days within a year.
posted by ssg at 10:11 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Does your insurance provider in Canada provide any traveler's insurance?
Quite aside from the pre-existing condition issue, I'd try to make sure to go with insurance that's either offered by a well-known reputable provider or that has been used successfully by people you know. I bought a random policy once that was offered on one of the big flight booking sites, thinking it was probably legit since, again, major well-known booking site, but when I wound up needing it it turned out to be completely uninterested in doing its part. (That did teach me though that it is always a good idea to buy insurance for the US, because having to pay out of pocket there can be disastrous.)
posted by trig at 11:43 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Quite aside from the pre-existing condition issue, I'd try to make sure to go with insurance that's either offered by a well-known reputable provider or that has been used successfully by people you know. I bought a random policy once that was offered on one of the big flight booking sites, thinking it was probably legit since, again, major well-known booking site, but when I wound up needing it it turned out to be completely uninterested in doing its part. (That did teach me though that it is always a good idea to buy insurance for the US, because having to pay out of pocket there can be disastrous.)
posted by trig at 11:43 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
You can probably get a rider on a travel medical insurance policy to cover the preexisting condition. You will have to pay more and you probably won’t be able to buy it online without talking to someone. If you have an insurance agent who you’ve used for anything else, give them a call.
posted by mskyle at 4:18 PM on August 27, 2023
posted by mskyle at 4:18 PM on August 27, 2023
I live in Toronto and used to travel to the US lots.
I would get my travel insurance by calling Manulife because they had a deal w my bank (TD). What you’re looking for covers the difference between the OHIP coverage and US costs.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 6:48 AM on August 31, 2023
I would get my travel insurance by calling Manulife because they had a deal w my bank (TD). What you’re looking for covers the difference between the OHIP coverage and US costs.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 6:48 AM on August 31, 2023
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