Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/40418
travel smarts Domestic Policies T HERE IS NO END OF ALARMING stories about what happens to average Joes and Jills who face medical emergencies when trav- elling without suffi cient medical coverage. The worst-case scenarios involve life-threat- ening illnesses and injuries – and astronom- ical bills for treatment. So, needless to say, savvy travellers don't think twice about guaranteeing peace of mind by purchasing a travel medical plan before they leave home, even when they're travelling within Canada. The surprise is that others still roll the dice and test fate. "There are still lots of folks who leave the province believing Alberta Health Care has them covered," says Pamela Murray, Manulife Financial client representative for AMA. "Sadly enough, a few of them discover first-hand just how expensive that oversight can be." The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a publicly administered and funded system that gives all Albertans access to "medically necessary hospital and health-care service." Thanks to recip- rocal agreements hammered out over the years between the provinces, residents can get the same level of basic care as they enjoy here else- where in Canada by pre- senting a valid Alberta Health Care card. The one notable exception is Que- bec, which does not partici- pate in any of these health-care pacts (transla- tion: you'll need to pay any medical bills yourself in La Belle Province before fi ling to recoup the costs back home.) The bottom line is that if, heaven for- bid, you should break an ankle skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa or come down with a serious case of tummy upset after a meal in Winnipeg, Alberta will pay the costs of a doctor and/or publicly funded hospital stay. That said, the province knows the limits of taxpayer largesse and, to quote Judith Haeusler/Getty Images Why you need travel medical insurance for trips within Canada by Jeff Bateman Out-of-province medical emergencies can cost a bundle if you don't have travel medical insurance. With up to $5 million in emer- gency medical coverage, this is where travel medical policies really earn their keep. And policy prices are relatively low, varying from around $1.50 per day for those under 60 to $3.50 for those who are older. Imagine getting into a car accident in the B.C. Rockies. An air ambulance ride could run as high as $10,000. its website, "strongly encourages [Alber- tans] to obtain travel insurance to cover unforeseen costs including emergency care and transportation when travelling outside the prov- ince or outside Canada." The priciest potential expense is emergency transportation. The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) does the job bril- liantly for Albertans at home without charge. Out of the province, however, the costs can skyrocket. Imagine getting into a car accident while driving in the B.C. Rockies. An air ambu- lance ride could run as high as $10,000. And if the injured party needs to travel home via stretcher, and perhaps also requires extra room for medical equipment, he or she may need as many as three, six or even nine seats on a commercial airliner, jacking return airfare prices up dramatically. Unlike Alberta Health Care, third-party medical plans usu- ally cover emergency dental expenses, private duty nursing, medical-appliance rentals and the services of chiropractors, physiotherapists and podiatrists. Some will also fund return air- fare, accommodation and meals for a family member who wishes to rush across the country to be with a hospitalized loved one. And if a medical incident results in a poli- cyholder having to abandon a motor home or truck-and-trailer, then any costs incurred in getting the vehicle back will be covered. Not surprisingly, travel medical insur- ance is not a favourite subject for those booking a holiday, notes Murray. Who, after all, wants to contemplate the worst when planning a trip designed to conjure only the warmest of memories? "The great news is that these policies are only used in the tiniest fraction of instances," she says. "But I guess that's why someone invented the phrase 'better safe than sorry.'" AMA MEMBERS SAVE MORE Purchase AMA Travel's Tranquility Travel Medical Insurance to protect your family and fi nances in the event of an out-of-province medical emergency. 1-866-989-6595; ama.ab.ca/Travel-Insurance WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2011 15