BIRD TALK

Dear Bird Talk,

We have been members of the CSA for a number of years & use Medipac as our out-of-country medical insurer. My question is, after reading about Don Kannon’s article from Williamstown, ON, in the latest CSA magazine, I am a bit confused about how he was able to return to Texas after being discharged from the Ottawa Civic for just two weeks. I was under the impression that one needed to be stable for 90 days to be fully insured. Could you give me a bit more information on this particular issue please? Another question if you could answer please is could one have a diagnostic test one week (which would be negative) & then leave the country the next & still be fully insured?

Beverly B

Response:
Ed: Mr. Kannon took advantage of Medipac’s Return to Destination Benefit. Following a medical emergency, involving an evacuation, an insured person can apply to have Medipac reinstate their policy and we will also pay the travel costs to return to their original destination. (This would also include a spouse or a travelling companion who is also insured with Medipac.)

When a person applies for this benefit, Medipac Assist will review their medical reports to determine whether they would be considered stable to travel back to their original destination. Normally, continuing coverage will exclude the condition which led to the evacuation as it has now become an unstable pre-existing condition due to the 90-day window. In some cases, we may not provide ANY coverage for your return if our doctors feel that you still have unresolved issues, and need further investigation or recovery time. The best option, however, is to apply for a waiver of the “new” pre-existing condition, through our underwriting division, prior to returning. This can result in the 90-day period being waived and full coverage for all conditions will apply immediately, but this may involve an additional cost.

I can only answer the diagnostic test question if you have insurance with Medipac. If you have a diagnostic test and the results are negative, we do not count that as a pre-existing condition and you could travel the next day. Where an issue may arise is when your doctor thinks that you need more tests. If he recommends more or different tests, then you must wait until these tests are done and the results received. If you have symptoms, let’s say severe stomach cramps, and an ultrasound comes back negative, you should never travel until the cramps are resolved and the cause identified. A black-and-white example would be a test that was negative for cancer and you then travelled. When your doctor says that you are OK, future cancer issues would be fully covered. Please do not assume that Medipac’s generous coverage and liberal interpretations apply to any other travel insurance policy.

Whenever you have an unexpected medical condition, we do encourage you to contact our specialists to determine how it might impact your coverage.