Injury forces cancellation of European river cruise 75-year-old Marge and 46-year-old Julie purchased a river cruise through Europe. They also had an extra week planned with some land tours, accommodation and rail travel. One month prior to departure, Marge fell and fractured her hip and as a result they both cancelled their trip. The accommodation charges were 100% refundable and both women claimed for the rest of their travel costs including the cruise cost, return airfare, rail tickets, and land tours for a total claim of $13,899.

5 Day US Hospital Stay Alejandro had just crossed the Canada/US border on his motorbike when he went into cardiac arrest. He was rushed by air ambulance to the nearest hospital where he stayed for 5 days. He was transferred back to Canada by ground ambulance for further treatment once he was stable. His total claim was $335,520. His provincial plan paid $2,000. ATV Accident on Holidays A 25-year-old woman was in an ATV accident while on vacation. She went over a 35-foot embankment and although she was wearing protective gear, she suffered multiple fractures and internal life-threatening injuries. The woman was airlifted to a trauma hospital. After 21 days in the hospital, she was air evacuated to Canada. Her total claim was $420,700. Her provincial plan paid $9,058. Museum Visit Results in Broken Elbow It doesn’t get much safer than walking in a museum, but that wasn’t the case for 49-year-old Anna. She was visiting family in California when she tripped and fell at a museum, severely injuring her arm. An ambulance was called and she was taken to Emergency; she suffered a compound elbow fracture, as well as lacerations to her head and legs. Anna’s elbow required immediate surgery. After three days, she was able to leave the hospital to stay with family until her scheduled return to Canada. Her total claim was $166,600 and her provincial plan paid $1,660.

Snowboarding Injury Seo, a 17-year-old, was snowboarding. While going over a jump, he fell and experienced a sudden loss of feeling in his lower extremities. Seo was sent by air ambulance to the nearest hospital, where he was admitted. Tests showed swelling around his spine, but luckily, no fractures. Seo remained in the hospital for one week and was then discharged with anti-inflammatory medication. His claim was $23,400. Abdominal Pain Results in Surgery Sebastian was visiting from Switzerland, when he started experiencing acute upper abdominal pain. His family took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with gallstones, requiring surgery. He had complications following surgery resulting in infection and sepsis. Requiring him to stay in the hospital for 14 days. After he was released he had to return to hospital daily for IV antibiotic therapy for another 7 days. His total claim was $66,200. Heavy Hockey Hit Results in Aneurysm A 19-year-old hockey player visiting from Europe was hit during hockey practice. Later that evening, he experienced vomiting and a headache. The man’s trainer took him to the hospital, where he had a CT scan, revealing a brain aneurysm. The patient was taken into surgery, and the aneurysm was coiled. He stayed in hospital for 19 days. His total claim was $51,300. Aortic Aneurysm Results in Surgery A 54-year-old Mexican Man was visiting his family in Canada when he developed acute abdominal pain and was taken to the ER and had surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He spent 5 days in hospital and his claim was $133,200. ER Visit for UK Traveller An 80-year-old woman from the UK suddenly fainted. She was taken to ER and admitted for observation overnight. It was determined that she had low blood pressure. Although she spent less than 24 hours in hospital her claim was $4,900.

27 Day Hospital Stay An 87-year-old man from Quebec travelled to New York to catch a Maritime coast cruise with his granddaughter. While on the cruise, he became ill and disembarked in Nova Scotia for treatment. What was thought to be a moderate viral illness with fever, chills and sweating, was in fact meningoencephalitis. The insured was admitted to the ICU ward of the hospital for 27 days! His granddaughter stayed in the city during his hospitalization and accompanied him home, incurring additional meals, lodging and airfare expenses. His total claim was $5,800. Weakness Leads to Stroke Diagnosis A 66-year-old woman from British Columbia travelled with her husband by motor home to Nova Scotia. While there, she had an acute onset of right sided weakness. After being rushed by ambulance to the nearest emergency facility, she was transferred to a hospital for CT/MRI scans. The tests confirmed that the patient had suffered a stroke. She was admitted to the hospital for eight days, then discharged to fly home. Her Ambulance was $1,000 and her vehicle was returned to British Columbia. Her total claim was $6,000.

Your travel checklist:

• Itinerary
• Vaccinations
• Passport
• Registered with Travel.gc.ca
• Bought Travel Insurance

Congrats, you’ve done a great job planning your trip! But have you ever wondered what actually happens if there is a medical emergency and you have a claim while on vacation? Your broker would have provided you a wallet card and/or policy booklet. The wallet card and the booklet will have some important phone numbers on who to contact in an emergency. Of course, you’re going to call the first responders in a real emergency – but what if you catch the flu and you’re not sure how to proceed? Make contact with the emergency assistance provider and they can assist in directing you to the nearest clinic, urgent care or emergency room. Not only can the assistance provider direct you to a medical facility. But when you open a claim, it allows them to make contact with the billing department at the hospital, review coverages with you and authorize tests and procedures as well. Most hospitals in the US will bill your travel insurance provider directly. On occasion they may request a deposit for services. Always keep your original medical receipts and you can submit them with your claim form. If you visit a small clinic it’s likely they will want full payment up front and will not be interested in billing direct. Again, keep your receipts. In Mexico and the Caribbean, hospitals in popular tourist destinations will likely be happy to arrange direct billing with your insurance provider. However, deposits are commonly always required. Be prepared and have access to funds or credit. If you are admitted to hospital, it might be appropriate to be returned to your home province for further care. The assistance provider will confer with treating physicians to ensure its in your best interest to return and they will coordinate an available hospital bed near your home and an air ambulance. Some conditions might require you to be accompanied by a full medical team, or perhaps a medical attendant. Often a family member will be allowed to travel with you. They’ll assist with obtaining your passport too. Remember! Travel Informed! Ask questions, keep in contact with the assistance provider during your emergency and keep all of your original medical and travel receipts for your claim submission.