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The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
B-
(2006: B-)
In order to retain health coverage, Prince Edward Islanders must be present in the province at least six months
plus a day each year. This time is not consecutive, meaning that residents may take an unlimited number of trips
outside the province, provided that their total time inside the province amounts to six months plus one day. With
government approval, health coverage may be maintained despite an absence of more than six months; coverage
may be extended for up to one year. While the government’s website strongly recommends that travellers notify
the Department of Health and Social Services of any absence exceeding one month, the minister confrmed in cor-
respondence that this is not a requirement.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
While permitting six months of travel is a good step, this period should be extended to eight
months. In addition, Prince Edward Islanders should be permitted tomake an unlimited number of short-term trips
anywhere in the world without afecting eligibility; this could be accomplished by providing that a trip of less than
one month is not counted as time absent from the province.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
A+
(2006: A+)
Prince Edward Island is the only province to comply with sub-paragraph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act, by
reimbursing residents for out-of-country emergency services at provincial rates. P.E.I. reimburses up to $1,055 per
day (the current ward rate in the province) for emergency in-patient services and $238 per day (the average per
day rate for in-province service in other jurisdictions) for emergency out-patient hospital services. Out-of country
emergency physician visits are covered at P.E.I. rates.
Change since last report:
Increased daily provincial rate coverage from $959 to a maximum of $1,055 per day.
Recommendations:
Continue to update rates over time to match changes in real costs.
ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR USE DURING TRAVEL
C
(2006: C)
The province’s Seniors Drug Cost Assistance Plan covers only a 30-day supply of drugs (in the case of maintenance
medication, a 90-day supply). The 30-day limit is the smallest permissible supply in the country and well below the
six months that residents are permitted, by P.E.I.’s own rules, to be absent without jeopardizing their eligibility for
health coverage. The provincial health minister suggests that travellers make arrangements with willing pharma-
cies to obtain the appropriate supply of medication. A pharmacy that provides a longer supply must treat it as a
series of smaller, individual reflls for which it bills the provincial drug plan at 30-day or 90-day intervals.
On the other hand, Prince Edward Island will reimburse plan members, at provincial rates, for drugs purchased
outside the province. This policy somewhat ofsets the harsh efects of the 30-day supply limit, though a traveller
is required to pay for the out-of-country drug with his or her own funds and then obtain reimbursement later.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Extend Seniors Drug Cost Assistance Plan to cover a supply of prescription medication equiv-
alent to length of time a Prince Edward Islander may be absent from the province while maintaining health cover-
age.
Prince Edward Island