Health insurance for Canucks

[LOFAT36]

Where do Canucks get their health insurance when snowbirding in the U.S.A from the Great White North ?

[96Bounder30E]

Closed

[Cummins12V98]

LOFAT36 wrote:
Let's put it this way. Last year in Yuma my wife went to the Doctor & after X-rays he saw a spot on her kidney and wanted her to get a scan. She did and our extra coverage paid for it. To the tune of $8500.00 !!! Thankfully nothing was amiss. She could have got one home free if you want to wait in the queue (4-6 months) or pay for it at a cost of $800.00 What is wrong with this scenario ?

I know several Canadians that we socialize with every winter. Some have the arrogant attitude about what they have some understand it truly is not "FREE" and is actually VERY expensive.

I will ask how many people do you know that have had a knee replacement and most don't know any. The fact is because if someone needs it and they are elderly the are put on a "LIST". St Joes Hospital in Bellinghan WA has lots of Canadians come there for knee and hip replacements because they don't want to die on the "LIST" they just pay for it!

The comment about some Americans still don't have healthcare still. The whole thing is a scam. If you were young and have the choice of healthcare or a larger check what would you choose since the fact is if you have a problem a small fine and wa-la you are covered. Also the fact is if you go to a public Hospital they have to treat you here.

[cross_country]

We get our medical coverage from the same people that we insure our vehicles with, Hub Barton Insurance. To date they have been the most reasonable. We have checked with RBC (Royal Bank) which offers this service and BCAA and both were much more for same type coverage. Who knows this year?

As an aside, medipac was mentioned for adding on after the first 30 days of which many credit cards cover. I would like to know if anyone has found a way to separate coverage in the USA from Coverage in Mexico when one is driving through the US to get to and from Mexico. It seems that as long as your in the US driving regardless of how many days, your rate is based on one being in the US the whole time (6 months give or take)? thanks Tom

[LOFAT36]

Let's put it this way. Last year in Yuma my wife went to the Doctor & after X-rays he saw a spot on her kidney and wanted her to get a scan. She did and our extra coverage paid for it. To the tune of $8500.00 !!! Thankfully nothing was amiss. She could have got one home free if you want to wait in the queue (4-6 months) or pay for it at a cost of $800.00 What is wrong with this scenario ?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It is mostly 'free' when we are in Canada. When traveling outside of Canada it is best to acquire additional coverage.

We, as Canadians, find the system in USA complicated, confusing, and extraordinarily expensive. My understanding is that millions of USA folks still have zero coverage.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
So much for "FREE" health care.

[John___Angela]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
So much for "FREE" health care.

Huh? The discussion is about travel insurance. What are you talking about.

HUH??????? " Health insurance for Canucks"

This is the title of the post. That's what I am talking about.

Thanks

Yes. Travel health insurance for Canucks when travelling out of the country. Travel insurance covers the differential between what Canadian health care costs in Canada and foreign nations...in this case the USA. Canada health care covers Canadians any where in the world...up to what it would cost in Canada. Canadians only need to get supplemental coverage on their dime if travelling to nations where health care costs more than what is covered by the schedule of treatments in Canada or specifically the province. In addition you must be a resident of Canada (not just a citizen) and depending on the province or territory there are time limits on how long you can be out of the province before your health care coverage is suspended. Some provinces are 6 months, some are 7 months and one territory is 364 days. This can however be superceeded by sending a letter to the provincial health care authority for those who are out of Canada longer than those prescribed times. Different provinces have different rules on this for frequency and duration. For example, when we go to Europe for a year in 2018 this will be the case for us. Canadian health care generally speaking is governed under the Canada health act of the federal government but administered provincially.

Hope this clears that up. Happy to answer any respectfully worded questions. All nations have different systems, this is ours.

[Cummins12V98]

John & Angela wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
So much for "FREE" health care.

Huh? The discussion is about travel insurance. What are you talking about.

HUH??????? " Health insurance for Canucks"

This is the title of the post. That's what I am talking about.

Thanks

[noteven]

Hi LOFAT36 - I'm not an expert - but we have been checking into travel coverage as well - our insurance broker has various companies offering travel insurance plans. The auto clubs (BCAA) are a business and want your business so they will discuss offerings without you signing up. As others suggested read and understand the coverage, pre existing conditions, etc. Air ambulance rides back to Canada are expensive :).

[portliz]

Just trying to correct information for those from other provinces who might also be reading this thread. Good luck with your search. Again read pre-exisitng clauses carefully. Answers questions accurately. Do your research.

[08UltraRider]

LOFAT36 wrote:

8iron wrote:

LOFAT36 wrote:
Seriously I really don't care about Ontario as I'm in B.C. Surely with all the Canadians that stay in the park in Yuma where we drop anchor for about 4 months must get insurance. Is info too much to ask ???????????

What did BCAA have to offer when you spoke to them?

I haven't talked to them yet. I assume as I'm not a member they won't quote me. Perhaps I'm wrong ?

My neighbour here in Alberta spends 182 days a year down there where they've gone with AMA for the last few years so BCAA might be a good option to look into.

[John___Angela]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
So much for "FREE" health care.

Huh? The discussion is about travel insurance. What are you talking about.

[Cummins12V98]

So much for "FREE" health care.

[LOFAT36]

Thank you for some positive info. 🙂

[8iron]

LOFAT36 wrote:

8iron wrote:

LOFAT36 wrote:
Seriously I really don't care about Ontario as I'm in B.C. Surely with all the Canadians that stay in the park in Yuma where we drop anchor for about 4 months must get insurance. Is info too much to ask ???????????

What did BCAA have to offer when you spoke to them?

I haven't talked to them yet. I assume as I'm not a member they won't quote me. Perhaps I'm wrong ?

You can look on their website and pick a package and length of stay and get a quote that is good for a week or so while you compare.