Canada is renowned for its universal health care. As a Newcomer to Canada, you may not have the same access to provincial or territorial public health care coverage as a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. There are, however, options available to you to financially protect yourself in the event of a medical emergency.

How Does Health Care in Canada Work?

In order to make an informed decision about what type of medical insurance is right for you it is helpful to understand the basics of how the healthcare system in Canada works.

Canada’s health care system is funded through taxes and administered by the provinces and territories. Provincial and territorial health insurance plans share common features and standards but they are not identical. This means they vary from one province to the next.

Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be required to purchase private health insurance when traveling to another province or territory within Canada.

What Alternatives are Available to Newcomers to Canada?

Health care can be very expensive, especially in emergency situations. If you are not eligible for benefits under any Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government health insurance plan there are several ways to ensure you have emergency medical coverage while you are visiting Canada or waiting for your provincial or territorial health care to become active.

One such route is to purchase emergency medical insurance. Emergency medical insurance provides coverage for sudden and unforeseen circumstances. It is important to note that this type of insurance does not cover check ups with a physician or routine visits to the dentist. This type of coverage is meant for emergency injury or sickness and is often called Visitors to Canada (VTC) Emergency Medical Insurance.

How Can I Purchase this Insurance?

Visitors to Canada emergency medical insurance can be purchased before you leave your home country, which is recommended, or after your arrival in Canada.

Terms and conditions vary by insurance provider when it comes to purchasing insurance after arrival in Canada. Some providers limit the number of days for which an individual has already been in Canada to a maximum of 30. In other words, if an individual has been in Canada for more than 30 days, they are no longer eligible to purchase a policy from the provider.

Products provided by Travelance do not restrict an individual from purchasing a VTC policy based on the number of days they have been in Canada. As long as the individual meets the terms and conditions as per the policy wording they can purchase VTC insurance from Travelance, regardless of how long they have been in Canada.

How Do I Know Which Plan is the Right Plan for My Family?

A specially licensed insurance broker or registered travel agent can help you select an insurance plan that is right for you!

A licensed broker or agent can guide you through the processes and help you to choose from a variety of sums insured amounts, deductible options and coverage duration.

If you have a pre-existing condition (for example, diabetes, high blood pressures, heart condition) or take any type of medication, it is important to understand how your pre-existing condition relates to your insurance coverage. Some plans cover pre-existing conditions, while others do not. Most plans require that your condition has been stable and controlled for a specified number of days.

Remember, if you are unsure about a pre-existing condition or require medical clarification, speak with a doctor.

For more information about Travelance’s Visitors to Canada plans please visit our website: www.travelance.ca.