Do You Or Don't You Need Health Insurance?
by Ron Pradinuk, Takeoffeh.com on Monday, May 10, 2010 2:00pm - 1 Comment
That is the question.
On February 16th, the Cuban government announced that as of May 1 all
tourists – including Canadians – would require medical coverage to be
allowed into the country. Travellers who did not comply would have to
buy insurance from local Cuban companies available at the airport, port
or marina in order to enter Cuba.
Understandably, with 1.5 million Canadians visiting Cuba every year, the
news of enforced health coverage had private insurance providers here in
Canada chomping at the bit. Press releases and flyers were churning and
everyone assumed supplemental health insurance was required.
Then came the clarification that, in fact, provincial health insurance
cards are proof enough for the Cubans — which launched a confusing
barrage of news reports. For the record, although the Cuban tourist
board has not updated their Canadian website to indicate this important
point of difference, they have confirmed to Take Off eh that Canadians
with provincial health cards are permitted entry into the country. And
although the rule was in force as of May 1, local Cuban airport officers
have apparently not yet begun asking for the document.
The downside of the miscommunication is that consumers may be left with
the impression that they shouldn't bother buying additional health
insurance. Supplemental health insurance should be viewed as a priority
no matter what your destination. Without it you could face significant
costs.
The Travel Health Association of Canada provides guidelines for coverage
on their website www.thiaonline.com.
Here are several important points to consider:
1. Because Canadian Provincial Health Insurance Plans do not make
direct payments to out-of-country (or out-of-province) hospitals,
doctors or clinics, you will have to bear the costs yourself and then
apply to the Department of Health for re-imbursement. Wait times for
reimbursement by Provincial Health Plans varies by province, but range
between 90 days and 18 months.
2. In-patient hospitalization reimbursement rates will be different,
depending on the Provincial Health Plan in effect. The rates vary from
province to province – from $200.00 to $400.00 per day for in-patient or
intensive care. The cost of these services in most other countries often
exceeds these amounts.
3. Outpatient clinics, lab services, and other incidental charges
related to out-of-country emergency medical care are often not covered
by the Provincial Health Plans.
4. Provincial plans will not provide evacuation back to Canada in
emergency situations by airline or air ambulance, nor will they cover
out of country ambulance services.
There are hundreds of disturbing stories of Canadian tourists incurring
thousands of dollars of debt from travel mishaps. Ask any travel agent
who has witnessed their own clients' struggles — the small additional
expense for insurance can pay back many times over.
For Cuba, the bottom line is that whether or not you buy additional
medical coverage is totally up to you. But remember the old insurance
adage 'We hope you never need it, but we hope you have it…just in case.'
By Ron Pradinuk
Ron Pradinuk is past national president of the Association of Canadian
Travel Agencies.
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