Travel Coverage and Stability – What Does it Mean?
A stable condition refers to any medical condition or related condition (including any heart or lung condition) for which there has been:
- no new treatment or new prescribed medication,
- no change in treatment or change in prescribed medication (including the amount of medication to be taken, how often it is taken, the type of medication or change in treatment frequency or type),
- no new symptoms, more frequent symptoms or more severe symptoms experienced,
- no test result showing a deterioration, and
- no hospitalization or referral to a specialist (made or recommended) or the results of further investigations not yet completed for that medical condition or related condition (including any heart or lung condition).
The travel plan will not pay for any expenses incurred directly or indirectly as a result of:
- your medical condition or related condition (including any heart or lung condition), if at any time in the six months before you depart on your trip:
- your condition or related condition has not been stable,
- for a heart condition, you have taken nitroglycerin more than once per week specifically for the relief of angina pain, or
- for a lung condition, you have been treated with home oxygen or taken oral steroids (prednisone or prednisolone).
If you consult your doctor prior to travel, please show your doctor the insurer’s definition of a stable condition.
Planning a Vacation?
If you’re planning a get-a-way, be sure to check if the country you’re visiting requires proof of travel health insurance. If proof is required, contact Johnson Inc. at 1 800 371-9516 to have confirmation of your emergency travel insurance sent to you by mail, email or fax. In some countries, such as Cuba, proof of coverage can be shown in the form of a proof of coverage letter and/or your provincial health card.
If you do not have the appropriate proof of coverage when you enter a country, you may be required to purchase additional coverage on the spot.
When travelling it is recommended to have the following information with you:
- wallet ID card,
- provincial health card,
- a valid passport, and
- coverage confirmation letter (provided by Johnson Inc.).
What to Do in the Event of an Emergency
In the event of an emergency where you become ill or are injured outside your home province or Canada, call the travel assistance provider as soon as possible. You can find the contact number on your travel assistance card, which you should always keep on you while you are traveling.
If you or your representative does not call the travel assistance provider right away, your benefits may be reduced by 40% of covered expenses, with a maximum reimbursement of $25,000.
Calling immediately will enable the travel assistance provider to co-ordinate payment directly with the hospital and/or medical provider involved, only if the travel assistance provider obtains your approval to co-ordinate payment with the provincial health plan.
Following Doctors’ Orders
If your physician or the Travel Assistance Centre recommends that you return to your home province and you choose not to go, your emergency coverage and travel assistance coverage will end.
If your physician or the Travel Assistance Centre recommends that you be moved to another facility and you choose not to go, your benefits will be reduced by 40% of covered expenses, with a maximum reimbursement of $25,000.