Insuring your health isn’t something many of us think about until it is too late. If you wait until a health problem occurs, you may not be eligible for coverage. Individual health and dental plans are underwritten differently from group insurance. When applying for individual or family coverage, you must disclose your medical history to the insurance company who will then assess the risk of accepting your application.
That is why it’s important to obtain insurance while you are in good health. Individual health plans can be tailored to suit your needs, and can include coverage for hospital, travel, accidental death and dismemberment, extended health care (e.g. vision, physiotherapy), prescription drugs and dental.
When travelling outside the province or country, it is important to insure yourself against unexpected medical emergencies that may occur. Travel insurance will provide you with 24-hour medical assistance regardless of what part of the world you may be travelling in.
Many travel plans provided by group insurance, through credit cards or through travel agencies, may only cover travel for a limited duration, often 30 or 60 days. For extended absences, individual insurance plans can be purchased to top-up existing coverage. In addition, individual travel insurance will cover extended periods of time, often for 1 year or more.
Coverage includes, but is not limited to, hospital services, health care professionals, prescription drugs, medical appliances, emergency dental care and transportation benefits (e.g. ambulance services, repatriation).
It is important to remember that for a cost effective insurance plan, coverage must be purchased before leaving your province of residence.