Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/593532
istock W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 53 YOU'RE COVERED T ravel medical insurance is one of the most important things to take on a trip outside the province or country. For travellers over a certain age, obtaining travel medical insurance often means having to fill out a medical declaration form to qualify. For example, with Away From Home insurance plans through CAA, those over the age of 60 are required to complete the form to determine the plan they qualify for and their premium. "Filling out the form correctly will ensure you can travel with the peace of mind knowing you're protected," says Glynnis Fidler, man- ager for insurance services at CAA Manitoba. "We want to make sure people purchasing travel insurance understand what they're buying and that they're entering into a legal contract." So it's important to provide com- plete and accurate information up front – or the insurer may not pay any claims. Although completing the medical declara- tion form may seem intimidating, here are some pointers to help you through the process. Frequently Asked Questions When Completing Your Medical Declara- tion Form How much information do I have to disclose about my health? Disclose everything about your health and Nothing But the Truth Travel with peace of mind when buying out-of-province medical insurance Save time and get travel insurance online at www.caamanitoba. com/covered. Plans can include emergency medical, trip cancellation, interruption and baggage loss. medical history, no matter how minor you think it is. For example, let's say you have minor asthma and have been prescribed a puffer, even if you rarely use it; if you don't check off lung condition on the form, then you have not qualified yourself correctly and any and all claims will be denied because the policy would be void. When you have a claim, the insurer has full access to your medical records and if you did not disclose a condition, your claim could be denied, resulting in financial and emotional hardship for you. What is "a change in medical condition?" A "change" is: • any increase in symptoms • new symptoms • the deterioration of an existing condition • alterations in medication frequency or dosage • treatment changes • hospitalization or medical consultations/investigation (other than routine examinations) "Some mistakenly believe that if their dosage of medication is lowered or stopped, they don't have to mention anything to their insurance provider," says Fidler. "You need to disclose all changes to determine if coverage will be affected." What if I was prescribed medication but didn't fill my prescription? Once it's prescribed, it's considered used whether you filled the prescription or took any of the medication. A common mistake people make is not disclosing a prescribed puffer that they may throw in a drawer and only take out once a year when they have a chest cold. If my condition changes after purchasing medical insurance, what should I do? Call your insurance provider immediately to report the change and discuss the impact on your coverage. What should I do if I don't understand a question on the form? Never guess. Take the form and consult your doctor or ask your insurance provider for clari- fication. Remember, a travel medical insur- ance declaration form is a legal contract between you and the insurance company. Can my travel agent help me fill out the form? ey can assist with the application process, but they can't help you answer the questions because they don't know your medical history. If in doubt, consult your doctor. How soon before I leave should I purchase travel medical insurance? e sooner, the better. As soon as you know travel dates, contact your travel agent to put coverage in place. It's a good idea to allow enough time to consult your doctor if need be. Extra time may be required if you have multi- ple conditions or recent medical changes as this may require special coverage. e most important thing to remember is to be honest and up front. is will give you confidence and peace of mind that you have done everything possible to acquire the proper insurance coverage for your travels. GP To learn more about travel insurance and to get the right coverage for you, call 204-262-6000 or 1-800-222-4357, or get a quote and purchase online at www.caamanitoba.com/covered.