Holiday Travel: Coverage Info you Must Know Before You Go!

Holiday Travel: Coverage Info you Must Know Before You Go!

As we approach the holiday season, many employees may be planning trips to visit loved ones, explore sunny destinations, or experience unique holiday traditions. While the holidays bring excitement and joy, it’s important for benefits plan sponsors to remind employees about the critical role travel insurance can play in protecting them during their travels.

For employees traveling outside their home province or internationally, emergency medical travel insurance is a must, but may not be top of mind.  The good news is that it is often included as part of group benefits programs. However, understanding the details of this coverage is essential to ensuring employees are well-prepared. Below, we’ve outlined key points employers can share with their teams to help them make the most of their travel insurance coverage.

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General Principles of Emergency Medical Travel Coverage as part of your Group Extended Health Benefit plan:

• Eligibility Requirements:

  • Employees, their spouses, and dependents must be enrolled under the Extended Health Care plan to access travel insurance.

  • Provincial health care coverage must be maintained for all travelers.

• Coverage is for Medical Emergencies:

  • Travel insurance is designed to cover sudden and unexpected medical emergencies that arise during travel, such as sudden illnesses or injuries requiring immediate attention.

  • It is important to understand that the intent of coverage is to stabilize the patient well enough to allow them to get back home.  Once the emergency is stabilized, on-going treatment is not covered.

• Exclusions and Limitations:

  • Treatment for pre-existing conditions or those not deemed “stable” for a specified period (commonly 90–180 days before travel) are typically excluded.

    • Note, this specific wording may not be indicated in a group policy, but the principle remains the same.   Anyone with unstable medical conditions should speak to their doctor first for medical clearance to travel, and second to their insurer to confirm if that condition will be covered if it becomes emergent. 

  • Travel advisories: Coverage may not be included if traveling to areas under Government of Canada Travel Advisories (https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories) marked as Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential Travel) or Level 4 (Avoid All Travel). Check your booklet or call the insurer before you leave Canada.

  • Trip cancellation or interruption insurance is not typically included in group plans and should be purchased separately if needed. If included, it’s often limited, so check the coverage closely. 

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Preparation Before Traveling

Verify Coverage:
Employees should review their plan booklet and contact the insurer’s customer service or travel assistance provider for specific details about their policy.

Carry the Essentials:
Ensure all travelers have a copy of their emergency travel medical card and insurer ID. Note, many insurers no longer issue cards, but they can be downloaded from the insurers on-line portal or mobile app and saved on their mobile device or printed.  

Inform Travel Companions:
Share coverage details and emergency contact information with travel companions in case the employee is unable to communicate during an emergency.

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In Case of a Medical Emergency

If an employee or their covered family members experience a medical emergency while traveling:

Contact the Travel Assistance Provider:
Call the emergency assistance number before seeking treatment or as soon as possible after receiving care. If the patient can’t call, a traveling companion or the doctor/hospital can call.

Follow Provider Guidance:
Assistance providers can direct employees to suitable medical facilities, confirm coverage with healthcare providers, and even arrange direct payment to hospitals.

Taking these steps ensures employees receive the care they need while avoiding unnecessary delays or costs.

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Supporting Your Employees

As an employer, you play a critical role in helping your employees understand and maximize their benefits. Sharing this information before the holidays can empower them to travel confidently, knowing they are prepared for the unexpected.

If you have any questions about your group benefits plan or would like to explore customized solutions to better support your team, our team at ZLC Employee Benefits Solutions is here to help.

With over 40 years of experience and one of the most skilled teams in the industry, we are committed to helping businesses of all sizes protect their employees and achieve their goals. Contact us today to learn more.

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ZLC Employee Benefits Solutions is one of the fastest growing advisors for employee benefits and group retirement programs in Vancouver and we are fortunate to have the best people, resources, and clients. We provide value by leveraging one of the most skilled benefits teams – collectively over 450 years of experience within our team of 21 employee benefits specialists. We have been working with businesses ranging from 3 to over 75,000 plan members for almost 40 years.