How Unstable Pre-Existing Conditions Impact Claims

Do you have a medical condition that you think may affect your travel plans? Unstable pre-existing medical conditions are a major reason travel insurance claims aren’t paid out, since travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen medical emergencies and accidents.

Factors that impact coverage for Canadians

TuGo defines a pre-existing medical condition as “any medical condition that exists on or before the date you leave for your trip.” For Canadians, there are 3 factors—age, trip length and stability—that can impact coverage for your pre-existing medical conditions, so make sure you have the right coverage for your needs. There’s often a focus on mature travellers and pre-existing conditions, but we know that people can experience medical conditions at any age.

Here’s how TuGo’s Traveller Emergency Medical Insurance covers Canadian travellers with pre-existing medical conditions abroad:

Stability is essential to adequate coverage

So, what is stability?

A medical condition is considered stable when there hasn’t been all of the following:

✓ Deterioration of the medical condition as determined by a doctor or other registered medical practitioner

✓ New symptoms or findings, or more frequent or severe symptoms or findings

✓ Change in treatment by a doctor or other registered medical practitioner, or alteration in any medication related to the medical condition

✓ New treatment received, prescribed or recommended by a doctor or other registered medical practitioner

It’s so important to understand your policy before you buy your travel coverage, including reading relevant definitions. Other than stable, if you think you may have a pre-existing medical condition, also review the definitions of alteration and treatment to grasp what stability means.

If you are 60+, you’re required to complete a Medical Questionnaire (MQ). But remember, this will only determine your rate, and doesn’t impact pre-existing medical condition coverage. Have other questions about the MQ? Read our FAQs for senior travellers.

Pre-existing medical condition coverage for visitors to Canada and international students

Visitors to Canada Insurance is also available for those who have pre-existing medical conditions. For this group, age and stability of a pre-existing medical condition are the key factors impacting coverage. Here’s how TuGo covers visitors to Canada, keeping these factors in mind:

With students studying in Canada, as well as Canadians studying abroad, it’s important to have the right travel insurance to ensure you’re taken care of away from home, including pre-existing medical conditions. Here’s how TuGo covers you under our Student Medical Insurance:

Don’t have your claim denied due to your pre-existing medical condition

The following real-life claim story demonstrates why it’s so important to understand how pre-existing medical conditions impact claims…

37-year-old Thom* travelled to Portland for two months on an extended trip. He had a history of diabetes and while there, had severe nausea and dizziness. Thom was taken to the hospital, where tests determined his blood glucose levels were too low; he was stabilized and discharged the same day.

However, Thom’s claim under our Traveller Emergency Medical Insurance was ultimately denied for two reasons:

1. Thom had seen a doctor for his diabetes multiple times within the stability period, just prior to leaving.
2. The doctor prescribed a new form of treatment for his diabetes; therefore his condition wasn’t stable before leaving for Portland.

As a result, Thom had to pay $11,226.16 out of his own pocket to cover his US medical bills.

Don’t let something like this happen to you. If you think you may have an unstable pre-existing medical condition that could impact your travels, be sure to speak to your insurance broker. They’ll help you determine the right coverage for your specific needs.

Safe travels,

Melissa

^{*Name changed to respect customer privacy}