Outbound Travel 0-59 Years
23-Year-Old Woman: Altitude Sickness
Symptoms Led to Trip Interruption and Air Evacuation
A 23-year-old woman experienced respiratory issues, fatigue, and nausea ten days into her trekking expedition in Nepal. After being diagnosed and treated for altitude sickness at the base camp, she travelled by horse to a suitable altitude and was airlifted to Kathmandu for further care. While there, she incurred an overnight hotel stay, before making arrangements to return to Canada early, utilizing her Trip Interruption policy.
Hospital fees.......................................................$819.34
Physician fees......................................................$91.31
Air evacuation and horse transportation......$5,056.75
Additional out of pocket expenses..................$144.06
Unused prepaid travel arrangement............$5,024.88
Change fee for airline..........................................$50.00
Provincial medical plan contribution...............- $80.22
Extended health.............................................- $2,791.34
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$8,314.78
30-Year-Old Man: Compound Ankle Fracture
Broken Ankle Led to Emergency Surgery
A 30-year-old man vacationing in the Bahamas suffered a compound ankle fracture as a result of a recreational ATV accident. Due to the severity of his injury, he required surgery upon his return to Canada. Claims at TuGo made arrangements for the man to return in business class on a commercial flight. In addition to arranging a receiving physician and hospital bed in his home province, OWA arranged for the patient to be picked up by an ambulance upon arrival.
Hospital fees....................................................$8,316.62
Physician fees.................................................$6,851.04
Ambulance.......................................................$1,726.23
Airfare...............................................................$1,810.62
Provincial medical plan contribution..........- $1,301.73
Extended health.............................................- $7,822.23
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$9,580.55
38-Year-Old Man: Sinusitis
Infection Led to Surgery and 4-day Hospital Stay
A 38-year-old man was travelling through the USA, when he began suffering from severe facial pain. He went to a hospital in Florida, where he was admitted and diagnosed with sinusitis. After 24-hours of IV antibiotics, the infection did not improve and the patient required surgery. While operating, the surgeon discovered the root of the infection was a tooth, which he proceeded to remove. The man was admitted for four days; then discharged to complete his travels.
Hospital fees..................................................$55,944.90
Physician fees.................................................$7,318.75
Radiology fees....................................................$258.73
Prescription fees..................................................$63.42
Provincial medical plan contribution..........- $2,196.57
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$61,389.23
Outbound Travel 0-59 Years
48-Year-Old Man: Brain Aneurysm
Massive Internal Bleeding Led to Coma and Multiple Surgeries
A 48-year-old man travelled to Montana to visit friends. While there, he suffered a massive headache and lost consciousness. The man was rushed to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm which had ruptured causing a massive bleed requiring surgery. To speed his recovery, he was put into a medically induced coma. While in the hospital, the patient required a second surgery to drain fluid from his brain. After 22 days, Claims at TuGo was able to air evacuate him back to his home province.
Hospital fees................................................$362,027.66
Physician fees...............................................$56,007.14
Radiology fees.................................................$7,140.28
Ambulance.....................................................$10,253.67
Air evacuation...............................................$10,884.38
Provincial medical plan contribution........- $10,619.32
Amount covered by travel insurance.......$435,693.81
42-Year-Old Woman: Amputated Finger
Kite Accident Led to Hospital Visit and Stitches
While on a family vacation in Florida, a 42-year-old woman was flying a kite during a picnic at the beach. Her finger became entangled in the kite string and was amputated. The woman’s husband drove her to the hospital, where she required an X-ray and stitches.
Hospital fees....................................................$2,163.49
Radiology fees......................................................$30.32
Provincial medical plan contribution...............- $50.00
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$2,143.81
27-Year-Old Man: Broken Ankle
Climbing Accident Led to Surgery
A 27-year-old man who was ice climbing with friends in New Hampshire was caught in an avalanche and fell 500 feet, breaking his ankle. After several hours, the man was able to get to a hospital, where he learned he would require surgery. After having a cast applied, the man was released from the hospital and flew back to Canada for the procedure.
Hospital fees....................................................$1,757.31
Physician fees....................................................$269.75
Ambulance..........................................................$857.77
Provincial medical plan contribution.............- $200.00
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$2,684.83
Outbound Travel 60+ Years
62-Year-Old Woman: Fractured Hip
Fall Led to Air Evacuation and Surgery
While in South Carolina for her winter holidays, a 62-year-old woman tripped and fell, fracturing her hip. As soon as she arrived in the hospital, Claims at TuGo was notified. They arranged to have her air evacuated to her home province the next day to undergo surgery.
Hospital fees..................................................$13,984.40
Physician fees.................................................$5,293.51
Radiology fees....................................................$644.60
Ambulance..........................................................$486.72
Air evacuation...............................................$31,337.90
Provincial medical plan contribution..........- $1,003.89
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$50,743.24
79-Year-Old Man: Excessive Bruising
Shoreline Accident Led to 7-day Hospital Stay
A 79-year-old man travelled to Hawaii with his wife. While walking on the beach, he was struck by a wave and fell. The next day, one of the man’s legs was swollen and discoloured from knee to hip. Alarmed, he called an ambulance and was admitted to the hospital. Here he learned that the medication he had been taking for his pre-existing heart condition had caused excessive bleeding in his injured leg. He was kept in hospital for seven days to normalize his blood levels and ensure he did not have internal bleeding. Because he was unable to return on the original date, his wife also incurred additional accommodation and out of pocket expenses.
Hospital fees..................................................$37,509.97
Physician fees.................................................$3,770.05
Radiology fees....................................................$458.64
Ambulance.......................................................$1,295.32
Prescription fees................................................$110.09
Medical attendant...........................................$4,990.01
Airfare upgrade...............................................$1,699.40
Additional out of pocket expenses...............$2,386.22
Provincial medical plan contribution..........- $1,678.29
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$50,541.41
70-Year-Old Woman: Urinary Tract Infection
Acute Symptoms Led to ER Stay
A 70-year-old woman travelling in Florida experienced an acute onset of high fever, lower back pain, weakness and general malaise. Concerned, she went to the hospital where she was evaluated and diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. She was then provided with IV antibiotics and discharged the next day. She was able to return to Canada without further complications.
Hospital fees..................................................$15,863.15
Physician fees.................................................$2,214.52
Radiology fees....................................................$576.54
Provincial medical plan contribution..............-$250.00
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$18,404.21
Outbound Travel 60+ Years
60-Year-Old Man: Transient Ischemic Attack
Symptoms Led to 2-day Hospital Stay
A 60-year-old man flew to Mexico for an extended family holiday. While at the beach, he began slurring and exhibiting acute weakness on the left side of his body. The man was taken to the local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a stroke. To ensure adequate care, he was transferred by ambulance to a better equipped hospital in another city. After several tests and a 2-day stay, the doctors determined he had suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA). He was prescribed medications and discharged from the hospital to resume his holiday. The man’s wife incurred additional accommodation costs while her husband was receiving treatment.
Hospital fees..................................................$10,235.42
Ambulance..........................................................$500.00
Additional board and lodging............................$373.51
Provincial medical plan contribution..............-$800.00
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$10,308.93
85-Year-Old Man: Gallstones
Complications Led to Emergency Surgery
An 85-year-old man suffered an acute onset of abdominal pain and vomiting while vacationing in California. A concerned neighbour drove the man to the hospital, where he was admitted for gallstones. Complications quickly set in and he was required to have emergency surgery. Since he was travelling alone, Claims at TuGo arranged for a family member to fly down for support. The patient was in the hospital for six days and was able to return home on a commercial flight upon being discharged.
Hospital fees................................................$109,398.90
Physician fees.................................................$6,056.29
Radiology fees....................................................$759.49
Family transportation.........................................$668.24
Provincial medical plan contribution...........-$1,857.31
Amount covered by travel insurance.......$115,025.61
Travel within Canada
80-Year-Old Man: Gallbladder Attack
Condition Led to Surgery and a 17-day Hospital Stay
An 80-year-old man from Alberta drove with his wife to Manitoba. While there, he suffered an acute and sudden onset of upper abdominal pain. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital, diagnosed with a gallbladder attack, and underwent surgery. The patient spent 17 days in hospital and was discharged three days after the expiry date of his travel insurance policy. Meanwhile, his wife incurred additional accommodation and meal expenses. Unable to drive, the patient and his wife flew back to Alberta, while their daughter returned the vehicle.
Ambulance..........................................................$960.00
Additional accommodation...............................$300.00
Return of vehicle.............................................$1,211.24
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$2,471.24
78-Year-Old Man: Pneumonia
Condition Led to 5-day Hospital Stay
A 78-year-old man from Saskatchewan travelled to Alberta to visit his daughter. While there, he became extremely short of breath and was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he was admitted with pneumonia. He remained in hospital for five days. Upon discharge, he was able to return home by commercial airline with the assistance of an oxygen tank.
Ambulance..........................................................$420.00
Oxygen rental......................................................$400.00
Prescription fees..................................................$52.42
Amount covered by travel insurance..............$872.42
66-Year-Old Woman: Stroke
Weakness Led to Testing and 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. Claims at TuGo arranged to have the motor home returned through a professional agency.
Ambulance.......................................................$1,000.00
Return of vehicle costs..................................$5,000.00
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$6,000.00
Travel within Canada
87-Year-Old Man: Meningoencephalitis
Illness Led to 27-day Stay in the ICU Ward
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 and accompanied him home, incurring additional board, lodging and airfare expenses.
Additional accommodation............................$3,369.59
Meals...................................................................$825.29
Airfare to accompany insured.......................$1,599.81
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$5,794.69
Visitors to Canada
19-Year-Old Man: Brain Aneurysm
Hockey Injury Led to Surgery and 19-day Hospital Stay
A 19-year-old hockey player visiting from Switzerland 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.
Hospital fees..................................................$49,815.00
Physician fees.................................................$1,482.64
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$51,297.64
40-Year-Old Woman: Angina
Chest Pain Led to Hospitalization
A 40-year-old woman from the United States had a sudden onset of chest pain. When a family member took her to the hospital, she was diagnosed with angina. She stayed in the hospital for two days and was discharged with heart medication. A few days later, she had a follow up visit to ensure that her medical condition had stabilized.
Hospital fees..................................................$10,475.99
Physician fees.................................................$1,048.69
Prescription fees..................................................$44.20
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$11,568.88
51-Year-Old Man: Gallbladder Attack
Abdominal Pain Led to Hospitalization
A 51-year-old man from Germany was visiting family in Canada, when he had an acute onset of abdominal pain. He was taken to the hospital and admitted for three days. The insured had suffered from an acute gallbladder attack, but surgery was not required. He was discharged with medications and received follow up treatment with a local doctor.
Hospital fees....................................................$7,735.00
Physician fees....................................................$537.15
Radiology fees....................................................$365.25
Prescription fees..................................................$33.85
Amount covered by travel insurance...........$8,671.25
Visitors to Canada
79-Year-Old Man: Dehydration
Severe Dehydration Led to 7-day Hospital Stay
A 79-year-old man from India immigrated to Canada to be with family. Over several days he experienced a decrease in appetite, fatigue and a high temperature. Concerned, the man’s family took him to their local doctor, who recommended he be hospitalized. The insured was admitted to the ER for seven days as a result of extreme dehydration.
Hospital fees..................................................$28,434.20
Physician fees....................................................$367.80
Ambulance..........................................................$530.00
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$29,332.00
89-Year-Old Woman: Fractured Hip
Fracture Led to Surgery and Physiotherapy
An 89-year-old woman from Korea was visiting family in Canada. While getting out of bed, she fell fracturing her hip. The woman was taken to hospital by ambulance, where she was admitted and surgery was performed. She was discharged after four days and received out-patient physiotherapy.
Hospital fees..................................................$18,870.00
Physician fees...............................................$11,124.00
Ambulance..........................................................$530.00
Prescription fees................................................$296.72
Physiotherapy fees............................................$110.00
Amount covered by travel insurance.........$30,930.72
Recovery Information - (CAD$)
Provincial Medical Insurance Plans do not fully cover your clients when they are travelling out-of-province or out-of-country. If your clients get sick or injured outside of Canada, the government covers less than 7% of the total cost. Without protection, your clients could end up paying thousands of dollars in medical bills. Below is the recovery information, detailing what is and isn’t covered by each province.
British Columbia
For outpatient doctor visits, Medical Services Plan (MSP) pays on average $28.90.
MSP does not pay anything towards Emergency Room (ER) fees.
For inpatient admissions, MSP pays $75.00 per day, all inclusive.
Laboratory charges range from $4.00 to $7.00 per item, depending on the type of lab work.
Radiology charges range from $14.00, for a simple X-ray, to $300.00 for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan (MRI).
Alberta
For outpatient doctor visits, Alberta Health pays $30.00.
For ER fees, Alberta Health pays $50.00.
For inpatient admissions, Alberta Health pays $100.00 per day, all inclusive.
Laboratory charges range from $5.00 to $10.00 per item, depending on the type of lab work.
Radiology charges range from $14.00, for a simple X-ray, to $100.00 for an MRI.
Saskatchewan
For outpatient doctor visits, Saskatchewan Health pays $30.00.
For ER fees, Saskatchewan Health pays $50.00.
For inpatient admissions, Saskatchewan Health pays $100.00 per day, all inclusive.
Laboratory charges range from $5.00 to $10.00 per item, depending on the type of lab work.
Radiology charges range from $14.00, for a simple X-ray, to $100.00 for an MRI.
Ontario
For outpatient doctor visits, Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays $50.00.
For ER fees, OHIP pays $30.00.
For inpatient admissions, OHIP pays $200.00 per day, all inclusive.
For inpatient admissions involving any type of intensive care unit (ICU), critical care unit (CCU) or surgery, OHIP pays $400.00 per day.
Laboratory charges range from $3.00 to $12.00 per item, depending on the type of lab work.
Radiology charges range from $7.00, for a simple X-ray, to $500.00 for an MRI.
Quebec
For outpatient doctor visits, Régie de l’assurance maladie (Regie) pays $50.00.
For inpatient admissions, Regie pays $200.00 per day, all inclusive.
For inpatient admissions involving any type of ICU, CCU or surgery, Regie pays $400.00 per day.
Quebec does not pay for any outpatient laboratory or radiology expenses.
All other provinces
The rates for other Provincial Health Insurance Plans are similar to above.
Items not covered by Provincial Medical Insurance Plans:
Prescription medication, ambulance services, air-ambulance services, dentistry (unless performed by a licensed Dental Surgeon), optometry/vision care, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, naturopaths, acupuncture, podiatry, massage therapy, physician’s assistant, home/private nursing, medical appliance rental, assistance intervention such as direct payment to hospitals (where applicable) or flying family members to bedside.