{"id":17844,"date":"2019-12-17T11:02:45","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T16:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insurance-canada.ca\/?p=63169"},"modified":"2019-12-17T11:02:45","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T16:02:45","slug":"changes-coming-to-out-of-country-medical-coverage-in-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lifeinsurance-orleans.ca\/index.php\/2019\/12\/17\/changes-coming-to-out-of-country-medical-coverage-in-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Changes Coming to Out-of-Country Medical Coverage in 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ontarians encouraged to take a closer look at their travel insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n

Thornhill, ON (Dec. 16, 2019) \u2013 As the busy holiday travel season approaches, Orion Travel Insurance, a CAA-owned company, is urging Ontario travellers to take a closer look at their travel and medical insurance coverage. As of January 1st, OHIP will no longer cover any portion of out of country medical expenses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that 25 per cent of Ontarians travel without insurance and that\u2019s the reason for concern. Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere,\u201d says Kellee Irwin, vice president, Orion Travel Insurance Company. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that people are aware of the upcoming changes to OHIP. Knowing that they have coverage that meets their needs, whether it\u2019s for a long international trip or a quick cross border trip, will give them peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently, OHIP offers a maximum of $400 a day for emergency in-patient services outside of Canada and an additional $50 a day for emergency outpatient services as well as doctor\u2019s services, but this will end on December 31st.<\/p>\n

Going forward, the provincial government will continue to cover $210 per treatment for kidney dialysis patients abroad, which can cost up to $750 a day in the United States. Any other medical coverage outside of the country will need to be paid by the traveller.<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on the situation, medical bills and any associated emergency travel can be very costly for travellers, and can often cost more than the trip itself,\u201d says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, CAA Insurance. \u201cEven if you think you are covered under your credit card or your private insurance, now is the time to take a closer look at the fine print. Travelling protected means understanding what you are covered for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Questions to ask before you buy travel insurance<\/h4>\n