Health Issues

Extending OHIP • Supplementary health insurance

OHIP Extension

If you have a valid Ontario Health Card you are entitled to certain benefits when outside Canada.  Outside Canada, OHIP covers only emergency health services and the amount covered may be insufficient to cover all costs. OHIP will pay for health services outside Canada if the patient gets written authorization from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care before the treatment is given.

To ensure that your eligible for continuous OHIP eligibility during a longer absence (212 days or more within a 365 day period) when you are away for study, work, missionary work or vacation/other you will need to apply for an extended absense prior to your leaving. Please contact your local OHIP office for more details.

Supplementary Health Insurance

It is important that you ensure that you have adequate health and medical insurance coverage. In order to make a knowledgeable decision about your health insurance it is also necessary to familiarize yourself with the medical conditions, health care facilities and cost of health care available to you while you are on your sojourn.Remember that hospitals and health care workers may refuse to provide medical care without sufficient funds or security of funds available. Health care can be extremely costly; good health insurance protects you and your family.Canadian supplementary plans require that you be covered by a provincial government health plan or the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) as a basic or primary plan. Students should consult with their primary insurance (provincial Ministry of Health) and make arrangements to ensure that coverage is extended while you are overseas.

When purchasing health insurance, consider the following:

• Is there a booklet explaining the coverage in detail?
• Does the plan include hospitalization coverage for accidents and illnesses while abroad?
• Does it cover you for pre-existing medical conditions?
• Are any of the activities that you plan for your sojourn not covered by your health insurance? (Eg. some University health insurances may not cover you while travelling outside your host country.)
• Are emotional and/or psychological related issues covered?
• What is the maximum amount of coverage that is provided?
• Are there deductibles? If so, what are they?
• Will the plan include emergency room expenses? Is the coverage sufficient?
• What is the coverage for medical evacuation? Is the coverage sufficient? If you would likely be evacuate to the United States is the plan valid for expenses incurred while in the US?
• In the event of death, what is the coverage for repatriation? Is it sufficient?
• Will they cover the costs involving transporting you home if ill? If necessary, ill they cover the costs for a medical care provider to travel with you?
• What information does the Insurance company need prior to payment?
• Is there a 24-hour contact number in English (with translation services for health care providers in the Host country)?
• Does the plan cover visits to the doctor or medication prescribed while abroad?
• Is dental coverage provided?
• Is ambulance or emergency transport to a hospital covered?
• What are the procedures for filing a claim, and how long does it take to get reimbursed after filing the claim?
• When does the plan begin and end? Can you easily extend coverage? While overseas?
• Does the plan enable you to have continuous coverage before, during, and after you go abroad? What is the maximum amount of coverage?
• Does the plan assume it is the primary or secondary carrier? If it is the secondary carrier, when does coverage begin? What evidence do you need to support primary carrier?
• What is not coved by your plan? What are the insurance policy exclusions? Does this effect you?
• Are their any exclusions that limit your coverage during your sojourn? (eg. ensure all regions and countries of travel are covered)

For the plan(s) you select, it is important that you know in advance how to use it prior it a medical emergency. Review it carefully and consider the following:

• What is the process for enrolling in the plan?
• Can you extend the coverage should you choose to travel longer? Can this be done abroad?
• If you find it necessary to use your insurance, what do you show as proof of worldwide coverage?
• If you obtain medical assistance while abroad, when and how should you inform the agency?
• If you need to pay up front (some locations will require this) what will you do?
• What documentation of expenses is required? (Most companies will accept only original documents, not copies or faxes.) Does the bill need to be in English and the amount of the charges in Canadian dollars?

Understand your policy, know how this system works, and know how bills are paid. Carry details of your insurance with you. Tell a friend or relative at home, in addition to a traveling companion, about how to contact your insurer.

Coverage may be based on a student having Provincial Coverage. If so, carry your Provincial Health Insurance Number.