Travel insurance is an important component for maintaining your health by ensuring you can get the health care you need when travelling outside of BC.
Tips & Links
- Travel insurance to cover health care costs is recommended for anyone, especially seniors, travelling outside of the province for any length of time.
- Learn how the Medical Services Plan (MSP) can provide only limited coverage to BC residents travelling outside of the province or country.
- Know you can apply for reimbursement using MSP claim forms. However, claims can usually not cover costs of any practitioner other than a physician. Medical transport may not be covered. MSP can pay up to $75 per day for a hospital stay – on average a hospital bed can cost $500-1000/ day.
- Be careful to check all travel insurance policies for limitations and exclusions of coverage. It is important to declare any pre-existing health conditions.
- Know that BC PharmaCare does not cover or reimburse for medications or medical supplies purchased outside of BC. Plan ahead and purchase your medications and over the counter (OTC) drugs for the length of your trip.
- Be aware that you can leave the province for up to 7 months on vacation per calendar year and up to 24 months every 5 years, and still maintain for MSP coverage.
- Learn about the recommendations for adult vaccinations if planning to travel outside of Canada from Healthlink BC.
- Update your vaccination record in your health profile with any travel vaccines you receive.
Tools – Handouts & Videos
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