Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/80542
travel smarts Nothing but the Truth Travel with peace of mind when buying out-of-province travel medical insurance T RAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE IS one of the most important things to take on a trip outside the province or country. Yet recent media reports have left some consumers questioning whether buying insurance is really worthwhile – and if their claims will be paid. According to a recent survey, almost one in fi ve Canadians has not been com- pletely truthful, or has omitted informa- tion, when applying for medical insurance. "We want to make sure that people purchasing travel insurance understand the product they are buying and the cover- age provided – and that they are entering into a legal contract," says Carrie-Lynn Cota of AMA Travel. So it's important to provide complete and accurate information upfront – or the insurer will not pay any claim, even if the claim is unrelated to your medical history. Travellers over a certain age must fi ll out a medical declaration form to qualify for travel medical insurance. At AMA, for example, those over the age of 60 will be asked to fill out the form, to determine which insurance product they qualify for and the premium they will pay. Other insurers require this information for travel- lers as young as 55. "By filling out your application form correctly, you can travel with peace of mind knowing you're pro- tected," says Cota. Filling out a medical declaration form may seem intimidating. Here are some tips to help you through the process. Tips for Completing Your Medical Declaration Form How much information do I have to disclose about my health? Disclose everything about your health and medical history to ensure you're covered, no matter how minor you may think it is. This is not the time to withhold informa- tion or be embarrassed about your medical history. If you suffer from minor asthma and have been prescribed a puffer, even if 8 WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2012 you rarely use it, for example, and you don't check off lung condition on the form, any claim will be denied – even for something seemingly unrelated, like a broken arm. The policy is void the minute you don't disclose accurate information about your medical history. "Some people don't reveal a pre-existing medical condition because they think they won't be eligible for health insurance," says Cota. "But omitting parts of your medical history is the wrong thing to do, because if you have to make a claim, the insurer has full access to your medical records and will review the last fi ve years of your medical history. You may have to pay a few more dollars for coverage, but it's better than the alternative – a denied claim resulting in fi nancial and emotional hardship." What is "a change in a medical condition?" A "change" is any increase in symptoms, new symptoms or the deterioration of an existing condition – or any required investigations, changes in the frequency or dosage of medications, changes in treatment, hospitalization or medical consultations (other than routine examinations). "People mistakenly believe that if their health is on the mend or the dosage of medication has been lowered, they don't have to mention anything to their medical insurance provider," says Cota. "You need to disclose all changes to ensure your cover- age is not affected." What if I was prescribed medication, but didn't fi ll my prescription? If you were prescribed a medication, it's considered used – even if you never fi lled the prescription or opened the bottle. A common mistake people make is not dis- closing a prescribed puffer that they may throw in a drawer and take out just once a year when they have a chest cold. If my condition changes after I've purchased my medical insurance, what should I do? Call your insurance specialist immediately to report the change and discuss any impact on your coverage. What should I do if I don't understand a ques- tion on the medical declaration form? Don't guess. Take the form and consult your doctor or insurance underwriter for help. Most underwriters have nurses on staff to discuss medical questions. Remem- ber, a travel medical insurance declaration form is a legal contract between you and your insurance underwriter. Can my travel or insurance specialist help me fi ll out the form? Travel or insurance specialists can assist with the application process, but they can't help you answer questions because they do not know your personal medical history. Take the form and consult your doctor. How soon before I leave should I purchase travel medical insurance? Start the process early to avoid delays. Though travel medical insurance can be purchased up until the time of departure, it's a good idea to allow enough time to consult your doctor if need be. Extra time may be required for travellers with medical conditions that require special underwriting. For example, a person who has taken and/or been prescribed six or more prescription medications may need special underwriting to be covered. The most important thing to know about the travel medical insurance declaration form is that you must be honest and upfront. This will give you confi dence and peace of mind that you have the proper insurance coverage when you travel. AMA MEMBERS SAVE MORE To learn more about travel medical insurance options and the right fi t for you, talk to an AMA Insurance Specialist. 1-866-989-6595; ama.ab.ca/Travel-Insurance