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The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
B+
(2006: B+)
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must reside in the province for at least four consecutive months in each
12-month period to maintain health benefts. A provincial resident may retain coverage while absent from the
province for up to 12 consecutive months by obtaining an Out-of-Province Coverage Certifcate from the Medical
Care Plan. Immediately following the return from this 12-month trip, the traveller must remain in Newfoundland
and Labrador for four consecutive months. Subsequent Out-of-Province Coverage Certifcates will only be issued
for up to eight months. This provides a maximum of twelve months’ out-of-province coverage to eligible benef-
ciaries. Travellers leaving for vacation purposes may receive an initial Out-of Province Coverage Certifcate for up
to twelve months coverage, however the normal four-month residency requirement must be met immediately
following their return to Newfoundland and Labrador. Additional Out-of-Province Coverage Certifcates will only
be issued to provide up to eight months’ coverage.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
While the four month consecutive residency requirement is the shortest in Canada, it could
beneft from additional fexibility. Specifcally, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be permitted to make
an unlimited number of short-term trips anywhere in the world without afecting eligibility; this could be accom-
plished by providing that a trip of less than one month is not counted as time absent from the province. The
limitation on Out-of-Province Coverage Certifcates (only one for 12 months, any subsequent certifcates for eight
months) should be lifted.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
C
(2006: C)
Newfoundland and Labrador does not reimburse emergency health services obtained abroad at the same rate as
in-province services. This contravenes sub-paragraph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act. The province reimburses
emergency in-patient care to a maximum $350 per day in a community or regional hospital and a maximum $465
per day in a tertiary or specialized hospital, while it pays $705 for the same services at home. In addition, New-
foundland and Labrador reimburses emergency out-patient hospital services at a rate of $62 per day, below the
average per day rate paid for similar in-provinces services in other jurisdictions. Haemodialysis is reimbursed at a
rate of $220 per day. Out-of-country emergency physician care is paid at Newfoundland and Labrador rates.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Comply with the Canada Health Act by reimbursing emergency in-patient and out-patient
services required by travellers at the same rate as that paid for services within the province. The province should
continue to update these rates over time to match changes in real costs.
ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR USE DURING TRAVEL
D-
(2006: D-)
Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial drug program will only cover the cost of a 90-day supply of prescription
medication. This does not provide travellers with the supply necessary to cover an eight-month absence from
the province. Unlike many other jurisdictions, the province will not reimburse residents for the cost of medication
purchased outside of the province.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Provide drug program coverage for a supply of medication sufcient for the length of time
that an individual may be absent from the province without losing health coverage. Reimburse the cost of medica-
tion prescribed by appropriately accredited physicians and dispensed outside the province.
Newfoundland and