Out of country medical insurance

#1
Many of you fellow IBA members travel outside the US with Canada being most common. I am searching for medical coverage in Canada while I am on a several week ride there. I have Med Jet and other evac coverage.

Four years ago I had my motorcycle fall on my leg while in Nova Scotia thus breaking my leg. Med Jet shipped my motorcycle home, great service. I elected to have the leg fixed there, excellent care. However, it took my two US medical insurance companies 9 months and many phone calls to settle up. I was covered up there but I was told by both insurances to pay first and they would reimburse me. Right! They finally paid the docs and hospital.

So I am looking for a company that will pay direct to the hospital/surgeon if I end up in a hospital again while touring Canada.

Thanks
 

Patrick Ford

Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#4
I have Medicare and Anthem Blue Cross as a secondary, I called and asked about Coverage in Canada should I need emergency care. I was told, and have nothing in writing, that since Medicare doesn't work in Canada the Blue cross would be my primary. I didn't check any further as I'm not going to change our insurance company nor am I going to stop going to Canada. No use finding something to worry about. :):)
 

Marc11

Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#5
Per my broker in Canada she said there are insurance companies that you can buy short term or trip healthcare coverage in Canada, one initially mentioned was Blue Cross Canada.
 
#9
I have Medicare and Anthem Blue Cross as a secondary, I called and asked about Coverage in Canada should I need emergency care. I was told, and have nothing in writing, that since Medicare doesn't work in Canada the Blue cross would be my primary. I didn't check any further as I'm not going to change our insurance company nor am I going to stop going to Canada. No use finding something to worry about. :):)
In 2016 when broke my leg in NS I had Cigna as primary since my wife still works and has a family policy, I had Aetna as secondary through my retirement, and medicare. Cigna and Aetna told me I was covered in Canada. What they did not tell me was that I would have to pay up front then get reimbursed.

Fortunately our friendly neighbors to the north did not require their usual $600 to $900 up front as a "retainer" since I had two insurance companies covering me. Upon returning to the US of course I received my nice bills.

I called both insurance companies and both told me to pay the bill. They would then reimburse me. But when or even if? I made many calls and letters. Finally nine months later they paid up and I of course had to pay my deductible and coinsurance which wasn't a lot.

My hospital stay and surgery was much less expensive in Canada than it would have been in the US. So I saved the insurance companies money by not having MedJet evac me home.

So that is why I want temporary insurance that pays directly. I won't be changing insurance, just adding a temporary one. It was nine months of hassle I want to avoid if by chance I need medical service again while visiting our friendly neighbors to the north.
 

JAVGuzzi

Premier Member
#10
Ya, even for a few hundred bucks, it's worth eliminating the hassle, IMO.

I have done several rides in Canada ( and trips in the cage ) over the past several years without this additional insurance, but in the future in addition to Sky Med, I will be getting this "visitor" coverage. I'll be doing two rides in Canada this summer.
 
Last edited:
#11
my dad had a heart attack while on a river cruise in China, he was helicoptered to Hong Kong where he had a quadruple bypass.
Had to put it all on a credit card and get reimbursed from his insurance after he returned to the US