Last year one of clients called us about purchasing out of province medical protection before taking her family on a much-anticipated trip to Disneyland.
It was easy to set up for her and we gladly wished her "happy travels".
When she returned, she called to tell us that they'd had a great time, even though the first day was spent in the emergency room.
On their way into the happiest place on earth, her 5-year-old daughter tripped (on her shoe lace) hit her head on the sidewalk and got a deep gash on her forehead.
The medical insurance our client had purchased covered everything from the emergency room visit to the 3 stitches required without a single hassle.
If she hadn't arranged for this insurance, this little trip to the hospital would have tacked an additional $900.
00 US on to her family's vacation.
For any Canadian traveling out of the country - or even out of their province - purchasing travel insurance is a small but smart investment.
No one expects to be in an accident or struck by illness while on vacation.
But, just like it did to our Disneyland client, it can happen to you just like that.
And if you're without coverage, you could be facing huge medical bills and potential financial burden.
We're not big fans of promoting fear around here, but we are realists.
Here are some basic truths about the costs of medical care in the United States: * 1 night in a U.
S.
hospital can cost over $2000 * gall bladder surgery can cost over $9000 * treatment for an allergic reaction to a bee sting can cost more than $1000 * the cost of repairing a broken arm is more than $2500 * if you have to deliver your baby in the US, the total cost will add up to just under $9000 If you're traveling outside of the country - even just on a car trip to the U.
S.
- if something happens that requires surgery, air evacuation or other assistance, your health care bill could quickly add up.
You can even incur medical costs traveling between provinces within Canada.
For example, if you're a resident of Alberta and you were injured or became ill in another province, out-of-province travel insurance would cover the cost of emergency expenses like ambulance, prescriptions and transportation home.
Depending on the kind of coverage you decide to purchase, travel insurance can take care of: * emergency medical care * ambulance (land and air) * private and semi-private hospital rooms * return of vehicle * family transportation to bedside * emergency dental treatment * expenses related to death * return home, if recommended by attending physician * return of children in the care of the insured * additional expenses for meals and hotel If you're planning to travel outside Alberta this summer, don't leave without emergency medical travel coverage.
Whether you're heading to another province, the U.
S.
or abroad, travel insurance will give you peace of mind and affordable protection against the high cost of surprise illness or injury.
If you'd like to know more or would like to set up a travel insurance package for yourself and/or your family, feel free to: * call us at 1.
866.
333.
3737 * drop by our office * learn more online It only takes a minute and no matter where you live in Alberta, we can help you.
*These costs taken from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, California