Medical Travel Insurance for Canadian Snowbirds - Montana Owners Club

justbeginning · 10-01-2007, 12:09 AM

What insurance company are canadians using for coverage in the U.S.? My husband has a heart condition and we are looking for a plan that covers preexisting conditions. We are looking for 150 days coverage. Thanks in advance.

Bill and Ann · 10-01-2007, 02:05 AM

Try Medipac. We haven't any pre existing illnesses but have been using it for years. It is also endorsed by the Canadian Snowbirds Association. Phone number is 1-888-633-4722. An online application can be made at www.medipac.com. Fill it out and it will give you a price for coverage.

Les and Julie · 10-01-2007, 11:53 AM

See that you are from BC -- we are too. Just renewed our travel insurance again today for this year -- we go through Envison -- they are agents for severa different companies and they will be able to advise you on all the different options available for BC residents.

Julie

Wiarton William · 10-17-2007, 01:53 AM

I use Manulife Financial..it was part of my retirement package...it worked great until the Dr. put me on blood pressure pills...(mild Hypetension) Ins Co says its called a pre existing condition which has to be stable for 90 days prior to leaving....Im Euchered for this year now(cant leave until Feb 1st).....anyway I looked at medipack...they dont say it but if you read close they mention it and really box you in if you have a problem down there....the cost would have been around $2100....and even then the coverage is suspect...

Bill and Ann · 10-17-2007, 10:23 AM

I guess we must be healthy because 156 days only costs us a total of $800.00. Ann is on 2 types of BP meds too.

Wiarton William · 10-18-2007, 12:15 AM

I am on three for now..I rewrote the app as a healthy person and it dropped to $455 or so... I could chance it and go. I have been hyper all my life and had a pressure packed career( go-go-go, work-work- work "had to keep you busy" )...The Dr. seems to think that is detrimental to my well being...I think I am trained and used to it by now so I shouldnt have to worry about it.......The insurance company will see it to their advantage and I am not sure I want to chance it...

Bill and Ann · 10-18-2007, 01:05 AM

Ann was on 3 meds but the doctor changed one of her meds to a different pill which combined two of the prescriptions into one pill. Might not be the same stuff you are on but you might check to see if it could apply to you also.
Whatever you do, DO NOT put in a false application. Not worth it. Good luck.

Wiarton William · 10-19-2007, 02:21 AM

absolutely not...that would be financial suicide...if something happened..I was just comparing my stats to a healthy applicant

Wiarton William · 02-20-2008, 12:17 AM

I just found this website as result of reading a 4 month old Hamilton newspaper..(not that I am that bored up here but at least it was something to do)..It answered some questions I had and certainly will help me to deal with these folks in the future.....I apologize if its old news to some. but its new to me and I thought I would pass it along. I am certainly going to study some parts of it.....especially the Doctors role and what the insurer will do about that if they have to pay up...I will print it off and keep it in my travel files...I also did a copy and took it to the Dr. office ..might be nice if he had an idea what to do also.....

www.travelinsurancefile.com

OntMont · 02-20-2008, 10:35 AM

We had been using Blue Cross, but that skyrocketed when Donna had a change in medication. It seemed to be just the fact that there was "change" that jumped the rate. There was no change to her general health.

I tried Medipac but that did not seem to be much better, but just on a whim, I tried Manulife, (who are the Medipac insurers), and found that they were going to be much less costly for both of us than Blue Cross had been. They seem to take a bit different approach to rating your health status. They do seem to offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, but note Wiarton Willie's caution. If you are going to have a medical examination that might result in a change in your medical condition, do it well before your departure date so that the 90 day stable period can expire before you need the insurance.

Another thing I liked about Manulife, was that the entire process is conducted on-line. They will also provide a refund if you have to return early.

Wiarton William · 02-25-2008, 03:19 PM

Ontmont....that 90 day time period is actually "90 days in stable condition prior to departure"......if you dont wait the 90 days here and have a problem down there..(they dont give time off for good behavior)...you are not covered....thats why I am here, even though I was confident that nothing would happen, I didnt want to gamble,, my 90 days were up as of Feb 1st......not worth leaving then...

smc · 03-06-2008, 12:38 AM

We use A La Carte insurance. Go to tis.ca, or do a search for Travel Insurance Specialists. You can buy online. You have to answer a questionaire, if you are on certain medications, they add points which makes it a little more expensive, but they are the most reasonable we have found. Some friends had to make a claim last year, and they were fantastic. All paperwork was at the Urgent Care facility within 5 minutes. The staff there said it was the best company they deal with. They are also very helpful on the phone. Good Luck.

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