Travel Medical Insurance

[8milimeter]

Driving to Alaska this summer. I want to get medical travel insurance for the trip. Canadian travel is my big concern. Trying to find information or real honest reviews on the web is impossible. My search results are pages and pages of company adds.

Looking for opinions on medical travel Insurance companies from experienced RV travelers.

I just want something that will really protect me and cover costs at a Canadian Hospital.

8mm

[folivier]

When we went in 2019 we just relied on our current USA insurance, me on medicare and wife on United Healthcare. Either covered emergency room visits. You can also buy some Rx's over the counter in Canada. I needed an antibiotic for an eye infection (forgot to bring my Rx) and went to a pharmacy. Unfortunately they didn't have it and would have taken about 4 days for them to get it but it was OTC. I figured we'd be in Alaska by then so just had it filled there.
Maybe ask this question in Escapees forum.

[GallenH]

Here's where I went for med insurance when we went to England: https://www.aardy.com. Very happy with service. They set me up with a policy (I called them) underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company
called Worldwide Trip Protector. Never needed to use it. But Aardy sent me numerous emails before and after the trip reminding me of exactly who to call to make sure claims got processed, etc. So they were very attentive.

[Davydd]

We retirees are on Medicare but we have United Healthcare supplemental insurance. I have put it through the test numerous times. I had a stroke in Letchworth SP in New York, and had a 58 mile ambulance ride and 4 day stay in Buffalo General Hospital where the gleefully did every test under the sun because of my insurance. Overseas, in Australia I had a seizure in Sydney and they examined me in a hospital and then I went home and they upgraded my seats, met me at LAX and escorted me through that maze of an airport to a connecting flight to Minneapolis. My insurance in both cases was covered 100% with no outlay of money on my part.

[Snowy]

I recommend you call your current insurer and ask what might not be covered on such a trip. You may find you are already covered.

If you are not covered, i'd call my state's insurance commissioner's office. They may be able to tell you which insurers meet the requirements for your state, and which have high complaint rates.

[dicktill]

Originally Posted by Davydd

We retirees are on Medicare but we have United Healthcare supplemental insurance. I have put it through the test numerous times. I had a stroke in Letchworth SP in New York, and had a 58 mile ambulance ride and 4 day stay in Buffalo General Hospital where the gleefully did every test under the sun because of my insurance. Overseas, in Australia I had a seizure in Sydney and they examined me in a hospital and then I went home and they upgraded my seats, met me at LAX and escorted me through that maze of an airport to a connecting flight to Minneapolis. My insurance in both cases was covered 100% with no outlay of money on my part.

Which flavor of United Healthcare supplemental do you have?

[Dreadnaught]

As an Alaskan, I have experienced myself or heard first hand accounts of many medical issues and accident responses. I don’t want to go into all of them but in total, you need a way to get extracted to a first rate treatment or trauma center. I rode my motorcycle to Tuktoyuktuk a few years ago. I researched many companies and came up with Ripcord extraction services. They will organize and facilitate the effort to come get you and take you to the appropriate care facility. They are no nonsense people. They will ask about your trip, levels of coverage and you’re good to go. A helo extraction can cost well over $30,000. I’ll say this about many areas of Canada if you have a serious medical injury or issue: Get out of Canada. I have had this opinion bolstered by many Canadians.

[Lou]

Does AAA offer travel insurance? We use BCAA and are happy with it.
I don't know why anyone would say get out of Canada unless they are talking about sparsely populated wilder areas of the far north.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Lou

Does AAA offer travel insurance? We use BCAA and are happy with it.
I don't know why anyone would say get out of Canada unless they are talking about sparsely populated wilder areas of the far north.

I would, it is simple as the op said: "Extraction" to a really good place.

Canadians like their health care, but the op was not commenting on that.

Bud

[avanti]

Moderators' note:
Nothing wrong with anything posted here so far, but please don't be tempted to nudge the discussion toward the political.
Thanks,
--The Moderators

[Thevon]

$30,000 sounds like the low end of a medical helicopter, but without good coverage, it might as well be a million

[folivier]

Just be aware there will be many areas along that drive that will have no cell service. It's very remote. We have a SpotX satellite text messenger to stay in contact (MIL was ill). We also have an emergency rescue plan with the SpotX.

[GallenH]

We have a Garmin that can be configured to connect to satelite for communications. Text only. There's a 24/7 SOS button that connects you with a center that can send help. Check their site. It's supposed to cover the entire world. Subscriptions are by the monthly basis and are c/$15/mo. Without subscription you don't have SOS or text capability. Only GPS maps, etc. like any other Garmin.

BTW: The policy I referenced earlier has $1M extraction limit and cost $75/person for 3 weeks.

[SteveJ]

FMCA(Family motor coach association) has extraction and the return of your spouse and motor home to your home included in the annual dues. Not sure of the particulars but looks good.

[Sensfan]

[QUOTE=8milimeter;139299]Driving to Alaska this summer. I want to get medical travel insurance for the trip. Canadian travel is my big concern.

It is no secret that smaller population areas have limited service, regardless of the country. On our trip to Alaska in 2015 we stopped at the Whitehorse Hospital after my wife thought she was experiencing complication relating to a previous retinal detachment correction procedure. There was no available doctor with the required qualifications, so the next day we flew from Whitehorse to Vancouver. All ended well; the eye was ok. IMHO extraction insurance, if affordable, is a good investment regardless of age. There are parts of northern Canada that are beyond remote .. lol.

[InterBlog]

A sensible answer cannot be given without first knowing the OP’s existing insurance status.

^^ Let me expound that statement with our example.

(1) ALL PERILS MEDICAL: Our non-retiree United Healthcare policy (covering me and my full-time-employed husband) treats out-of-country medical emergencies as “in network”, subject to the same copays, out of pocket annual max, etc. Therefore, we don’t need a supplemental policy for travel.

I know what posters are going to reply: ARE YOU SURE? Yep. Omitting details for privacy, we have put those provisions to the test, and we were fully covered in Canada after deductible (we go there every year and we are older people… something medical was bound to happen to us sooner or later).

(2) TRAVEL INSURANCE: Through my husband’s employer, we also have another policy that covers medical ACCIDENTS abroad. So for instance if we get into a car accident and get injured, THAT supplemental policy also kicks in. But it offers 0% coverage for non-accidental medical needs, such as, you happen to have a stroke or liver failure or a gallbladder blockage or pneumonia or whatever.

So you see, what you would be wise to buy for travel all depends on what you already have.

If you want to glance at an example of typical Canadian out-of-country fees, here is an easy-to-understand link.