16
The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
B
(2006: B-)
Eligibility for Saskatchewan health benefts is governed by provincial legislation, that being The Medical Care Insurance
Act. Under the regulations pursuant to the Act, a person whose principal place of residence is in Saskatchewan and who
is physically present in the province for a period of at least six months of each year is a resident during that person’s pe-
riod of temporary absence from Saskatchewan.
The regulations allow for periods of temporary absence from the province without loss of resident status, including up
to six months in each calendar year for any reason. They also allow for periods of temporary absence of up to twelve
months for personal travel or employment within Canada.
Eligibility for continued resident status and benefts during a period of temporary absence is conditional on the intent to
return to residency (physical presence) in Saskatchewan at the end of the absence period. In the case of snowbirds, upon
their return to Saskatchewan, the ministry does not monitor short-term absences during the summer period.
Out-of-country travellers have the option to exercise the 12-month temporary absence provision of the regulations. That
would enable individuals to travel outside of Canada without loss of resident status. On completion of the 12-month
absence period, it would be necessary to return to physical presence in Saskatchewan for six months, after which he or
she would again be eligible for another period of temporary absence.
Absences that do not qualify as “long-term” or “extended” will not count toward the six-month ordinary limit on time
outside the province. The terms “long-term” and “extended” are not clearly defned. Canadian travellers should be able
to understand the rules and know whether their health coverage is at risk. If for example “long-term” and “extended”
absences were defned as those of more than one consecutive month, then Saskatchewan’s policy would be among the
most travel-friendly in Canada.
Change since last report:
Saskatchewan health minister notifes the CSA (in writing) that
“the ministry does not moni-
tor short-term absences during the summer period. It is understood that Snowbirds will visit friends and family
outside of Saskatchewan”.
Saskatchewan clarifes process for what is required to exercise the 12-month temporary absence provision in the regula-
tions.
Recommendations:
Permit unlimited trips each of one month or less anywhere in the world.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
D
(2006: D-)
Saskatchewan’s practice for reimbursing Canadians for emergency health services while abroad contravenes sub-para-
graph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act. The maximum rate paid for hospital in-patient care is $100 per day. While Sas-
katchewan would not disclose its per-day rate provided for emergency services required while within the province, $100
is well below the average rates paid for in-province services elsewhere in Canada and below the out-of-country rates
reimbursed by most other jurisdictions. Saskatchewan reimburses emergency out-patient hospital services required by
travellers at a rate of $50 per day, which is again below the average rate per day paid for in-province services in other
jurisdictions. Physician fees for emergency services are covered at the same rate as they would be in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Health provides emergency psychiatric coverage for a brief period of stabilization (5-7 days) for both out-
of-province and out-of-Canada travellers.
Change since last report:
Introduction of emergency psychiatric coverage for travellers.
Recommendations
:
Reimburse emergency in-patient and out-patient services required by travellers at the same rate
per day as that paid for similar services within the province and continue to update these rates to match changes in real
costs.
Saskatchewan