Forum Discussion

moisheh's avatar
moisheh
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015

Canadian Travel Health Insurance and Pre existing Conditions

Some of you may recall that I had a heart attack in May. I am retired 100% now and the group insurance from my Company is not available . I started to do some research and discovered some interesting wordings in the various policies. Many have a 6 month pre existing clause. Others are only 90 days. However how they determine the starting date for your condition is the problem. Let's say you had a heart procedure on May 1. Then you had a follow up with your family Dr. 30 days later. He suggests you should have a Cardiologist and gets you an appointment for August 30. Even though the cardiologist may just take your BP and listen to your heart this is considered part of your original procedure and the starting date for your pre existing condition is not May 1. It is August 30. If your policy needs 6 months for a pre existing condition you will not be returning to Mexico until February ! Some policies will cover any incidents that are not heart related. I would bet that Manulife would give you zero coverage. There are a few Insurers who will give you a pre existing conditions waiver but it is costly. Travelling through the US without insurance is scary. A heart operation could easily be $150 to $250 thousand. Your Provincial Health insurance might cover 20% ! Buyer Beware.

Moisheh
  • robatthelake's avatar
    robatthelake
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    Although We have used and will likely continue to use The Policy issued by Manulife through Canadian Snow Birds ,We are certainly very wary of All Health Insurance Companies!

    There is an expression that We often use when dealing with them ! They are only in it for the Money!

    This applies to several other businesses such as Used Cars and Real Estate......Buyer Beware!
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 06, 2015
    No. They are designed so that it is nearly impossible for anyone to answer them correctly.

    The CAA allows for errors on the application without cancelling coverage.

    Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
    I think you have nailed it Moisheh. The questionnaires can be tricky.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Jul 06, 2015
    I have no dog in this fight but I wonder if some of you might not be better served with travel insurance for foreigners bought in the U.S. There are quite a few companies specializing in this and it seems some cover preexisting. Try googling.
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    I am using CAA because application 'errors' do not cancel the insurance.

    Connexcus Credit Union has a credit card that offers 30 days of coverage for free, automatically--no form to fill out. I use that up first.

    Any change in medication restarts the 90 day 'clock'.

    I agree about Manulife.

    There is a good television program about this issue from Market Place.


    My wife is under Manulife, however it is 365 day a year travel insurance through work (she is on long term disability) so no hanky panky and it also covers me. Once that ends in 4 years, we will probably avoid Manulife like the plague. I claimed after ending up in hospital in Mazatlan last year with no problems, but with her insurance they can't play games since no medical questionnaire is required. Insurance or not, I spend as little time in the US as possible..
  • FULLTIMEWANABE's avatar
    FULLTIMEWANABE
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    Put it detailed in writing and ask the company insuring you what their determination is in writing back at you. I am a great believer of get "EVERYTHING IN WRITING"!!!

    Buddy of mine and his sister who's father had insurance for almost 3 decades with same company, got a terminal illness and insurance company paid out before his dad passed away. Afterwards the insurance came after the daughter and son wanting the monies back (several hundred thousand) saying he'd not disclosed something about his diabetes on the original application. Think if I'm not mistaken that was Manulife. Caused them a lot of stress for what seemed like a long long time, but the lawyer tied insurance up in knots on why it became such a huge issue after the fact they'd paid out, and going back on a quarter century plus application = judge ruled in favour for the family not the insurance company :) Typically the insurance companies will try to wriggle out of anything when it comes to paying out!! Get it in writing from the horses mouth regarding your coverage and disclose everything at the front end.
  • moisheh's avatar
    moisheh
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    Jack: I have no issue with not covering pre existing conditions . It is how they determine a pre existing condition. Just visiting a specialist should not start the clock over again. Some people do not realize that when a questionnaire asks if there has been any change in medication that means additional meds or eliminating a med. So if you were on a cholesterol med and you changed your lifestyle to where you stopped taking that med the questionnaire mist be answered: Yes there has been a change in my meds. On that Marketplace program about Manulife they asked a lawyer and a Dr. if they could answer all the questions correctly. Both replied they could not say with certainty their answers would be correct!

    Moisheh
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 05, 2015
    Hi,

    I am using CAA because application 'errors' do not cancel the insurance.

    Connexcus Credit Union has a credit card that offers 30 days of coverage for free, automatically--no form to fill out. I use that up first.

    Any change in medication restarts the 90 day 'clock'.

    I agree about Manulife.

    There is a good television program about this issue from Market Place.
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    Not covering pre-existing condition is pretty standard with most insurers. Can't really blame the insurance companies as one would then be a very high risk. If you are high risk driver then you either pay more or don't drive. High risk medical then you pay more or don't go.
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    My wife is on chemo, she has to fly direct. She is covered for everything but condition's related to that. Can't risk the US.

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