Medical insurance

[lvthesunSask]

Just wondering what others use for there medical insurance when heading south. I recently retired and my benefit package switched to a different carrier. I now have a 180 day stability period instead of 90 day. With me being a diabetic on oral meds I don't think a 180 day is going to work. Any suggestions from others . It's become mind boggling when you start looking

[Almot]

almcc wrote:
One thing that a lot of Canadians don't realize is that if the insurance company tries to get you back to a hospital in Canada they can't just fly you back and plop you at a hospital of your choice, there has to be a bed available for you. They call around and find a hospital that can take you and then get you to that hospital

Very true. There may not be a bed available even if you come in to hospital emergency from your home in Canada. You may die in emergency waiting room after spending there 20-30 hours, happens to somebody every ear. By "hospital of your choice" I mostly meant - Canada vs US, because many Evac plans will only take you to Mex or US, if you get sick in Mex. If you can afford the US coverage, by all means get it.

Mexican private hospitals are getting better with time, and being private (= beyond the reach of most Mexicans), I suspect they won't make you wait 30 hours in a corridor. Having at least some Spanish is recommended, though. They usually find somebody who speaks English, but it's not in your interests waiting too long before they do ;)...

[almcc]

Almot wrote:
Even if your medical condition allows to take you to Canada, very few Evac plans will take you to the hospital of your choice, vast majority of plans will bring you to the "closest capable" hospital, which is of course US.

One thing that a lot of Canadians don't realize is that if the insurance company tries to get you back to a hospital in Canada they can't just fly you back and plop you at a hospital of your choice, there has to be a bed available for you. They call around and find a hospital that can take you and then get you to that hospital

[Almot]

$500 a month for US coverage might be "reasonable", but not always affordable. A lot of people have to retire on less than 20,000 a year. Also, my understanding is that TIS rates are for Canadians who maintain their provincial coverage - not for somebody living in the US more than 7 months a year. Also, TIS plans require a questionnaire, same as most plans for people over 60-65. Make one mistake and you are finished.

If you only need Mex insurance, it's relatively cheap even after the age of 70-75. TIS apparently is offering a US coverage, or "any country" (because when it covers US, any other country is cheaper yet). Doesn't look like they have something for "Mexico only".

Yes, some snowbirds in Mex buy a Mex coverage, and some are keeping just Evac + provincial plan. They cover minor ailments and diagnostics out of pocket and then get reimbursed a few hundred by the province, no big deal even if province won't pay.

But keeping either Mex insurance OR evac+provincial may not be enough if something serious happens. If you only have a provincial - good hospitals in Mexico are private, the cost may exceed the provincial coverage a little. Or you have sufficient Mex coverage but Mexican hospital can't help you and brings you to the closest US hospital because you can't be taken to Canada by air - then without US coverage you have a problem. Even if your medical condition allows to take you to Canada, very few Evac plans will take you to the hospital of your choice, vast majority of plans will bring you to the "closest capable" hospital, which is of course US.
Medjet is one of Evac plans that offer a choice of hospital.

[malibuguybc]

I too went with Travel Insurance Specialists, came in at $1500 for 5 1/2 months this winter. Easy to deal with too.

[Tequila]

I see a lot of people in mexico just buying evacuation insurance. Canadian medicare will usually pay up to what it costs in Canada anyway, but you certainly need to cover any time in the US. We are covered with a 365 day worldwide group policy from Manulife from my wife's work, but even though Manulife has a lousy reputation we don't have to provide any medical info. Once she reaches 65 that ends.

[pawatt]

Almot wrote:

moisheh wrote:
TIC has had great reviews.

I think it's TIS Travel Insurance Specialists

Their plans can get expensive, like $500 a month for a 67 year old with some health problems, and higher yet over 72 years. Though, plans with US coverage have never been cheap.

$500.00 a month is very reasonable by US standards. I am 62 years old and pay much more than that with a $5000.00 deductible.

[Almot]

moisheh wrote:
TIC has had great reviews.

I think it's TIS Travel Insurance Specialists

Their plans can get expensive, like $500 a month for a 67 year old with some health problems, and higher yet over 72 years. Though, plans with US coverage have never been cheap.

[KRRNY]

Previous poster is correct in his statement "one mistake and you are in financial ruin" with most companies. I dumped Manulife for that reason and went with Quest/Travel Underwriters because if you make a mistake, they will still cover you. Their broker's phone: 1-800-884-2126 in Ottawa. Very nice people to deal with.

[homefor2]

I would also stay away from Manulife. There was a documentary on medical coverage for Canadians on TV and they mentioned Manulife as the worst for denying claims.

Be super careful filling out any forms when buying medical insurance. My doctor told me to bring any forms to him and he would help filling them out using my medical history. That's what the insurance company will examine if you have a large claim. One mistake and you could be in financial ruin.

[Albertaguy]

I have had travel insurance the last 4 years and use a policy through Travel Guardian Insurance Ltd. 1-800-715-8833.The rates were much cheaper than others. I have never had a claim and I buy a policy that allowed me to stay my 68 days and then up to 30 days at any time during the year as long as I cross the border. I have never had a claim so I can't say if they are difficult to deal with.

Manulife has been a popular conversation around the happy hour groups in Yuma and with all the horror stories whether true or not should give people pause whether they want to use them or not.

[moisheh]

Do not ever use Manulife or any policies that are underwritten by Manulife. They will do everything in their power to deny legitimate claims. BTW: Medipac is one of their policies. TIC has had great reviews.

Moisheh

[KRRNY]

We used to have out-of-country medical with a company underwritten by Manulife, but after reading many stories about Canadians whose claims were denied because of an honest mistake on the application, we went with Quest Travel Ins. They do not have the so-called "one strike and you're out" clause in their application.
Quest has a broker in Ottawa called First Rate Insurance.

[lvthesunSask]

I've had no medication changes for over 2 years. It's having the lab work every 3 months that concerns me. When I phoned my benefits package company she "thought " it would be OK as it's been routine treatment for couple years now. I'm looking at CAA right now as they seem to have clear terms. I've never heard too many good things about Manulife .

[almcc]

Last winter I signed up with Manulife (which I believe is also Medipac and a few other snowbird plans), I wasn't impressed. I had a claim for a doctor's visit and medications, I submitted the claim when we got home, it took 3 months for the claim to come to the "top of the pile" and another month or so until the cheque arrived. I got less C$ than I paid in US$, strange.

Manulife also contracts out their claims processing to an outfit in Windsor Ontario, no direct contact with Manulife on a claim.

Be advised!