 |
|
| |
Frequently Asked Questions - Traveling Outside Canada
- What is Outside Canada Emergency Travel Coverage?
- What other services are part of my coverage when I travel outside Canada?
- Am I covered while travelling outside Canada on a leave of absence?
- What are the limitations to my coverage when I travel outside Canada?
- Does my entire family have coverage when we travel outside Canada?
- How does emergency travel assistance work?
- Should I purchase extra travel coverage for a trip outside Canada?
- What does medical evacuation involve?
- What phone numbers do I call if I have an emergency while outside of Canada?
Questions and Answers
- What is outside Canada emergency travel coverage?
Outside Canada emergency travel coverage provides coverage for specific emergency expenses while you are travelling outside Canada.
An emergency is any unexpected or life threatening accident or illness, which arises suddenly and requires immediate medical attention. This coverage is part of your ASEBP Extended Health Care coverage. ASEBP will pay reasonable and customary charges for emergency services only in excess of the amount paid by your provincial health care coverage for:
- emergency travel assistance
- medical evacuation
- medical care, including surgery and semi-private hospital accommodation (the hospital must be a public general active treatment hospital)
- the usual services and supplies covered by your Extended Health Care plan
- other services
Outside Canada emergency travel coverage is automatically effective once you leave Canada. This means you are covered from the time you cross the Canadian border (or the time your plane takes off) until you return home at the Canadian border (or when your plane lands).
(Go to top)
- What other services are part of my coverage when I travel outside Canada?
The following services are also a part of this type of coverage.
- one round trip economy airfare for a family member or friend to visit you if you have been an in-patient for at least seven days and the attending doctor provides written verification that the situation is serious enough to require a visit
- one round trip economy airfare for a family member or friend to identify the deceased for release of the body where necessary
- the cost of preparing/transporting the deceased (to the province of residence) to a maximum of $5,000 OR the cost of cremation OR burial at the place of death to a maximum of $2,500; the cost of a coffin is not covered
- the cost of returning your vehicle (owned or rented) home or to the nearest appropriate rental agency, to a maximum of $1,000, when you cannot operate your vehicle because of unexpected illness or injury (and a travelling companion is also unable to do so). Medical certification and receipts are required. If your vehicle is inoperable due to an accident, the cost of one-way economy airfares will be provided (an official police report of the accident is required)
- meals and accommodation for a travelling companion will be reimbursed up to $150/day to a maximum of $1,500 when your return home is delayed due to illness or injury (medical verification and receipts are required)
(Go to top)
- Am I covered while travelling outside Canada on a leave of absence?
If you will be travelling outside Canada during your leave, you must maintain your Alberta Health Care coverage for ASEBP benefits to continue.
(Go to top)
- What are the limitations to my coverage when I travel outside Canada?
Some limitations to your coverage when you travel outside Canada include:
- You must be covered by a provincial health care plan.
- Expenses must be incurred while you have ASEBP Extended Health Care coverage. An expense is considered to be incurred on the date the service or supply was provided.
- Expenses will only be covered if ordered by a doctor and provided by medical personnel not related to you.
If you are admitted to a hospital, the travel assistance service must be contacted within 24 hours. Failure to do so may result in your claim being denied or delayed.
ASEBP, in consultation with the attending doctor, reserves the right to transfer the patient to another hospital or return the patient to the province of residence.
In addition, some expenses are not covered:
- cancellation and baggage insurance
- vaccinations
- those arising from travel booked or commenced contrary to medical advice.
- travelling to another country to seek medical advice or treatment intentionally or incidentally, even if your doctor recommends the trip
- check-ups
- rehabilitation or on-going care in connection with drugs, alcohol or any other substance abuse
- a rest cure or travel for health
- cosmetic treatment
In the event you require specialized or ongoing treatment, you may be required to return home for treatment (even if you must go on a waiting list).
Expenses due to the following are also not covered:
- a mental or nervous disorder unless you are hospitalized
- suicide, attempted suicide or self-inflicted injury
- abuse of medication, toxic substances, alcohol or non-prescription drugs
- driving a vehicle while impaired by drugs, toxic substances or an alcohol level of more than 80 milligrams in 100 milliliters of blood
- commission of or attempt to commit a criminal act under legislation in the local area
- illness or accidental injury due to an insurrection, war or act of war (declared or not) or the hostile action of the armed forces of any country, service in the armed forces, hijacking or terrorism, or participation in any riot, public confrontation, civil commotion or any other act of aggression
- others as outlined under Extended Health Care
Neither ASEBP nor the travel assistance service will be responsible for the availability, quality or results of any medical treatment or transportation nor the failure to obtain medical treatment.
(Go to top)
- Does my entire family have coverage when we travel outside Canada?
All dependents covered by your ASEBP Extended Health Care plan have outside Canada emergency travel coverage. Your dependents are listed on your ASEBP ID card.
(Go to top)
- How does emergency travel assistance work?
There are two parts to emergency travel assistance.
Medical assistance:
- assist in locating an appropriate doctor, clinic or hospital
- confirm coverage and, when necessary, guarantee payment to the hospital and/or doctor
- monitor the medical treatment and keep family members informed
- arrange for transportation home of the patient when medically stable
- arrange for transportation of a family member to the patient’s bedside or to identify the deceased
General assistance:
- coordinate the safe return home of dependent children if you or your spouse are hospitalized
- arrange the transmission of urgent messages to family members, business partners or family doctor
If you require any of these services, contact the travel assistance service immediately.
(Go to top)
- Should I purchase extra travel coverage for a trip outside Canada?
No, if you have Extended Health Care coverage with ASEBP, you do not have to purchase extra emergency travel coverage. You may want to purchase emergency travel coverage for any dependents that are not covered by your ASEBP Extended Health Care plan.
(Go to top)
- What does medical evacuation involve?
In the event that you must be returned to Canada for immediate medical attention or transferred to the nearest accredited hospital, ASEBP will cover certain expenses (including economy airfare).
The travel assistance service will contact ASEBP for pre-approval of these expenses and assist in making any necessary arrangements.
(Go to top)
- What phone numbers do I call if I have an emergency while outside of Canada?
If you have an emergecny while travelling outside of Canada, use the following emergency phone numbers.
Toll free in Canada and U.S.A. .......1-888-772-2583
Toll free in Europe........................00-800-4873-2583
In other countries or if you have difficulties with numbers listed above, call 1-403-225-4289 collect.
(Go to top) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
