Frequently Asked Questions: Important Travel Information

We cannot guarantee that Blue Cross Travel Assistance will have access to all the information regarding COVID-19 testing centres at your destination. We recommend that you contact the local health authorities for the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 testing.

Vaccination has no impact on our insurance premiums.

No. COVID-19 vaccination has no impact of travel insurance overage, insurance eligibility, or ongoing claims.

Vaccination does not affect travel insurance coverage. Emergency Medical Care coverage covers each insured person up to $5,000,000 per trip, regardless of whether the person is vaccinated or not, as long as they meet the pre-existing condition requirements. For example, if you were diagnosed with or had symptoms of COVID-19 prior to the effective date of your contract, you will not be covered for this illness.

Your insurance contract will automatically be extended free of charge for the duration of hospitalization and for 24 hours following discharge from the hospital, or up to 72 hours when your return is postponed due to a medical emergency that started within 24 hours of the expected return date and requires emergency treatment.

If you or your travelling companion must postpone your return because you need to receive care related to COVID-19, you will also qualify for a subsistence allowance for expenses incurred, such as:

• Accommodation costs in a commercial establishment
• Meals
• Taxi transportation
• Childcare costs for dependent children who accompany your client on the trip

Yes. Cruises are included in the travel insurance coverage, as long as you meet the pre-existing medical condition requirements of your contract.

The Emergency Medical Care benefit covers you in case of sudden illness or accident that may arise during your trip, as long as it is not a pre-existing condition. However, this benefit does include an exclusion for all expenses related to war, revolt or revolution or voluntary participation in a riot or insurrection.

It can be extremely difficult to access care in a war zone. In the event of an emergency or for any questions, please contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance, which will assist you with obtaining the necessary medical assistance.

Our responsibility is to advise and support our clients, while respecting the restrictions imposed by the various governments. Please note that:

• Subsistence allowance does not cover expenses related to preventive or mandatory quarantine before returning tonthe country, on site or upon arrival at the destination.
• Subsistence allowance expenses may be covered when a traveller must delay their return due to a medical emergency, including a medical emergency related to COVID-19.
• A medical emergency means the person is suffering from serious symptoms that require medical attention and possibly repatriation.
• We do not cover quarantine fees upon return to the country.

We advise all our clients to call us in case of any doubt or if their situation changes. Options to extend insurance coverage may be considered if a person becomes stranded abroad

We are monitoring the recommendations of the Government of Canada and World Health Organization, as well as the global situation regarding the spread of the virus. The Emergency Medical Care benefit covers COVID-19 unless it is considered a pre-existing condition prior to departure.

You will find written proof of your insurance coverage for COVID-19 in the last section of your travel insurance certificate.

Yes. Emergency Medical Care coverage covers COVID-19 and its variants, unless it counts as a pre-existing condition prior to departure.

Please consult the website of the Government of Canada to get the latest information on this subject.

The Emergency Medical Care benefit covers expenses for subsistence allowance only in the event of a medical emergency.

If you are denied boarding your flight, contact our Travel Assistance to request an extension of your insurance. The numbers to reach this 24/7 service are as follows:

• From Canada or the United States: 1-800-361-6068 (toll free)
• From Mexico: 01 800 062-3174 (toll free)
• From the Dominican Republic: 1-800-203-9666 (toll free)
• From anywhere else in the world: 1-800-7328-7473 (toll free) or 514-286-8411 (collect)

*The Government of Canada requires all travellers to provide a mandatory negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Click here for
more details.

No. Emergency Medical Care coverages only covers diagnostic services when prescribed by a physician following a medical emergency or sudden illness.

No. Emergency Medical Care coverage does not cover preventive care such as vaccines. It covers medical care or services required following an accident or sudden illness.

Emergency Medical Care coverage covers medical care or services required as a result of an accident or sudden illness. If such care is required due to side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be covered by this insurance.

All Annual and Individual Travel Plans include the Emergency Medical Care benefit and 24/7 access to Travel Assistance. If you should contract the COVID-19 virus while travelling, the Emergency Medical Care benefit will cover you for as long as your contract is in effect.

It is important to note that given the magnitude of the crisis, the reduced availability of medical resources around the world and the measures taken by different countries to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, our assistance service is very limited in its ability to assist people in emergency situations abroad.

All travellers should be aware that there are health risks when you travel. We would generally advocate reconsidering your travel plans in order to protect the health of travellers and the Canadian public; however we understand that some travel may be necessary.

If you must extend your stay due to a situation beyond your control, promptly contact our Member Experience team at 1-833-729-0186 if you are in Canada or USA or 1-306-518-0145 (collect) from any other country to find out if you are eligible for a contract extension. Make sure you contact us before the expiry date of your contract. Please note that any request to extend your coverage will be subject to our approval.

If you need emergency medical care during their trip, you must contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance immediately. The numbers to reach this 24/7 service are as follows:

• From Canada or the United States: 1-833-729-0186 (toll-free)
• From elsewhere in the world: 1-306-518-0145 (collect)

If you cannot reach Blue Cross Travel Assistance, you should do whatever is necessary to stabilize your situation (e.g., go to a nearby hospital). Once you have received the appropriate care, contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance as soon as possible.

If you need to extend your trip as a result of being quarantined, contact us at 1-800-667-6853 or 306-244-1192.

*The Government of Canada requires all travellers to provide a mandatory negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Click here for more details.

If such a document is requested by a government authority, contact our Member Experience team at 1-833-729-0186 if you are in Canada or USA or 1-306-518-0145 (collect) from any other country.

To change the dates of your individual travel insurance contract, please contact our Member Experience team at 1-306-244-1192 or the authorized representative (advisor) that sold you the contract before the effective date of your contract.

If you need to extend your trip, contact us to find out if you are eligible for a contract extension at 1-800-667-6853 or 306-244-1192.

*The Government of Canada requires all travellers to provide a mandatory negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Click here for more details.

If you have been placed in quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test and require emergency medical attention for this reason, contact our Travel Assistance. The numbers to reach this 24/7 service are as follows:

• From Canada or the United States: 1-800-361-6068 (toll free)
• From Mexico: 01 800 062-3174 (toll free)
• From the Dominican Republic: 1-800-203-9666 (toll free)
• From anywhere else in the world: 1-800-7328-7473 (toll free) or 514-286-8411 (collect)

Yes, the Emergency Medical Care benefits provided under all our standard travel insurance solutions provide coverage for COVID-19 related care at destination, provided the covered traveler meets the pre-existing medical condition requirements of their contract. For example, if you tested positive for COVID-19 or had symptoms for COVID-19 before the effective date of your contract, you will not be covered for this illness. This includes our Annual and Individual Travel Plans, the optional VIP Travel Benefits under our Personal Health Plans, and the Outside Province of Residence Travel Benefits under our Group Benefit Plans.

Please refer to your policy booklet for full details on pre-existing medical condition requirements.

All destinations are covered by emergency medical care coverage within your contract's limitations, and if you meet the pre-existing medical condition requirements of your contract.

Please refer to your policy booklet for full details on pre-existing medical condition requirements.

The Emergency Medical Care benefits provided under all of our standard travel insurance solutions provide up to $5,000,000 of overall coverage for hospitalization fees, physician and health care professional fees, emergency transportation costs, and more  - COVID-19 related care at destination is included in the overall Emergency Medical Care coverage and is not restricted to a separate maximum or limitation.

Yes, the Emergency Medical Care benefits provided under all our standard travel insurance solutions provide coverage for sudden and unforeseen illnesses or accidents requiring immediate treatment – should you require urgent medical care due to complications or side effects of receiving the vaccine, this would represent a covered medical emergency, subject to all other important policy terms, limitations, and exclusions.

No, the Emergency Medical Care benefits provided under all our standard travel insurance solutions provide coverage for sudden and unforeseen illnesses or accidents requiring immediate treatment – the cost of receiving the preventive vaccine would not be covered, as it does not represent urgent medical care following a sudden illness.

All our standard travel insurance solutions provide coverage for extra costs of commercial accommodations and meals resulting from a delayed return trip due to a sudden and unforeseen illness or accident requiring immediate treatment.

If you have been placed in quarantine beyond your planned return date due to a positive COVID-19 screening test for air travel or government regulation, coverage for meals and accommodations is not available. Please contact our Travel Assistance Provider using the phone numbers indicated on your coverage/identification card.

If you have been placed in quarantine beyond your planned return date due to a positive COVID-19 test, and require immediate treatment for the management of your symptoms and medical condition, coverage for meals and accommodations is available – these benefits are generally limited to a maximum reimbursement, and we recommend you review your Policy or Benefits Booklet for specific policy terms, limitations, and exclusions.

No, our standard travel insurance solutions do not provide coverage for trip interruption benefits of this nature.

No, the Emergency Medical Care benefits provided under all our standard travel insurance solutions provide coverage for sudden and unforeseen illnesses or accidents requiring immediate treatment – as COVID-19 screening tests for air travel or government regulation are not required due to illness, costs related to obtaining a PCR test and results abroad are not covered under these benefits.

Yes, the Emergency Medical Care benefits provided under all our standard travel insurance solutions provide coverage for sudden and unforeseen illnesses or accidents requiring immediate treatment, subject to important policy terms, limitations, and exclusions. We want you to understand (and it is in your best interests to know) what your plan includes, what it excludes, and what is limited (payable but with limits). Please take time to read through your Policy or Benefits Booklet before you travel.

Yes. Certain medical expenses are not reimbursed by your Saskatchewan health insurance plan when you travel outside your province of residence.

The VIP Travel Optional Benefits under our Blue Choice, Conversion and Guaranteed Acceptance plans and our standard Outside Province of Residence travel benefits under our Group plans will provide Emergency Medical Care coverage for both domestic and international travel, including for COVID-related care at destination*. If you should contract the COVID-19 virus while travelling, the Emergency Medical Care benefits will cover you, provided you have not tested positive for COVID-19 or have shown symptoms of the virus in the 90 days prior to your departure.

It is important to note, access to medical care could be limited in some countries due to COVID-19 and its variants. The availability of health services may vary from one country to the next and the situation is changing every day. Our travel assistance service is there to help you get the assistance you need to find the right care.

*Important: The VIP Travel Optional Benefit contains an exclusion for any expenses incurred in a country, region or city where a travel warning of ‘Avoid non-essential travel’ (Level 3) or ‘Avoid all travel’ (Level 4) was in place prior to the date of departure. As of October 1, 2020, an exception has been made to this rule in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic only. If there is a Level 3 or 4 warning advising against travel for your destination for any reason other than the COVID-19 pandemic, you will not have emergency medical care coverage when travelling to that destination. Please refer to the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisories page to check advisories for reasons other than COVID-19 for your destination.

Contact our Travel Assistance Provider using the phone numbers below within 24 hours of your medical emergency to open a case.

• Toll-Free within North America 1-866-330-3633 (if unavailable, please call the number below)
• Collect in all other locations 1-306-667-5299

For more information on what to do if you experience a medical emergency while travelling visit our Travel Assistance and Claims information.

Please note that you are not covered for Emergency Medical Care if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms within 90 days prior to departure.

If you must extend your stay due to a situation beyond your control, promptly contact our Member Experience team at 1-800-667-6853 or 306-244-1192 to find out if you are eligible for a contract extension. Make sure you contact us before the expiry date of your contract. Please note that any request to extend your coverage will be subject to our approval.

The commercial trucking industry and truck drivers are deemed essential to bringing goods and supplies across our borders and your emergency medical coverage will not be impacted.

Saskatchewan Blue Cross travel plans do not currently include trip cancellation insurance.

The VIP Travel Benefit is a preferred travel product that is part of our Personal Health Plan options. VIP Travel is a comprehensive product that provides coverage for travel both internationally and within Canada, including coverage for COVID-19. If you have any questions about your coverage, we encourage you to reach out to our office. Our Member Experience team is here to help with any questions you may have and to help you make the right choice for your needs.

In the event you are unable to return to Canada due to quarantine,  we will automatically extend the travel insurance coverage of insured members who are quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whose contract was in effect on the date the quarantine began.

We define a quarantine as being the isolation, for a determined period, of a sick or potentially infected individual to limit the transmission of a contagious disease.

To be considered “in quarantine” you must therefore be:

• Potentially infected or infected with COVID-19.
• Placed in isolation for a period determined by the health authorities (often 14 days) in order to protect the health of the population.

If you are placed in quarantine, your coverage will be extended free of charge until 72 hours after the end of the quarantine or until you return to your province of residence, whichever comes first.

Repatriation is covered if it is deemed safe and necessary by Blue Cross Travel Assistance and the attending physician at the destination.