Traveling to the United States can be an exciting experience for Canadians. However, it is important to have travel health insurance to protect yourself from unexpected medical expenses. This article will provide information about health insurance options for Canadians traveling to the US.
Why Do Canadians Need Travel Health Insurance when Visiting the US?
Canadian healthcare is publicly funded, which means that residents of Canada have access to free or low-cost medical care. However, when traveling outside of Canada, Canadians are responsible for their own medical expenses if they become sick or injured.
The cost of medical care in the US is significantly higher than it is in Canada. Without travel health insurance, Canadians could end up paying thousands of dollars for medical treatment, hospitalization, or emergency medical evacuation.
What Are the Different Types of Travel Health Insurance?
There are several types of travel health insurance available for Canadians traveling to the US. The most common types include:
- Single trip insurance – covers a single trip for a specific duration of time.
- Multi-trip insurance – covers multiple trips within a year.
- Top-up insurance – provides additional coverage on top of existing insurance policies.
- Group insurance – covers a group of travelers, such as a family or business employees.
What Does Travel Health Insurance Cover?
The coverage provided by travel health insurance can vary depending on the policy. However, most policies cover:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Prescription medications
- Dental emergencies
- Repatriation of remains in the event of death
It is important to carefully review the policy before purchasing it to ensure it meets your specific needs.
How Much Does Travel Health Insurance Cost?
The cost of travel health insurance can vary depending on the length of the trip, the age and health of the traveler, and the coverage provided by the policy. On average, Canadians can expect to pay between $10 and $15 CAD per day for travel health insurance.
It is important to compare policies and prices from different insurance providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.
How Do I Purchase Travel Health Insurance?
There are several ways to purchase travel health insurance:
- Through your travel agent
- Through your employer
- Through your credit card company
- Through an insurance broker
- Directly from an insurance company
It is important to purchase travel health insurance before leaving Canada to ensure you are covered for the entire duration of your trip.
What Should I Do in the Event of a Medical Emergency?
If you experience a medical emergency while traveling in the US, it is important to:
- Call your travel health insurance provider immediately
- Follow their instructions for seeking medical treatment
- Keep all receipts and documentation related to your medical treatment
- Notify your family and friends of your situation
- Stay in contact with your travel health insurance provider throughout your treatment and recovery
Conclusion
Traveling to the US can be an exciting experience for Canadians, but it is important to have travel health insurance to protect yourself from unexpected medical expenses. There are several types of travel health insurance available, and it is important to carefully review the policy before purchasing it to ensure it meets your specific needs. If you experience a medical emergency while traveling, it is important to contact your travel health insurance provider immediately and follow their instructions for seeking medical treatment.