Travel

Q1: Does the extended health plan include out-of-province/Canada coverage or travel assistance benefits for any medical emergencies due a pandemic flu?

A. Yes, the extended health plan does include this coverage.

Q2. What if I am traveling and I begin to feel flulike symptoms? What should I do and what would be considered eligible medical expenses?

A. If you are travelling outside of Canada and have a medical emergency or condition, the first step is to contact the emergency travel assistance provider. The provider will advise you what you are covered for and direct you to the closest medical facility, facilitate, monitor the medical care and make appropriate arrangements.

The provider will continue to administer claims in accordance with the terms of the group plan. Note there are no benefit exclusions relating to influenza outbreaks or pandemics in your extended health and out-of-province/Canada medical emergency coverage.

Only expenses covered under the out-of-province/Canada portion of your plan would be covered and only in the event of a medical emergency. Emergency means an acute illness or accidental injury that requires immediate, medically necessary treatment prescribed by a doctor. If the provider determines that return to Canada based on medical necessity is required, they will make those arrangements.

Your coverage does not include trip cancellation or hotel cancellation charges. Charges for changing flights are not covered based on the individual member’s discretion or choice, but by determination of medical necessity by the proveder.

Q3. Why is it important for me to contact the provider first prior to seeking medical assistance?

A. At the time of an emergency, the covered member/dependent or someone with them must contact the provider. If contact with the provider cannot be made before services are provided, contact with the provider must be made as soon as possible afterwards.

If contact is not made and emergency services are provided in circumstances where contact could reasonably have been made, then claims for expenses related to that emergency may be denied or limited payments made.

Q4. Where do I find the phone number for the provider and what information do I need to provide them in the event of a medical emergency?

A. You may download your personalized coverage card by logging onto the Sun Life plan member site and clicking on “my coverage” and printing your coverage card under “Resources”. Your personalized coverage card has the phone numbers including your group and certificate number / member ID that you will have to provide assistance.

While downloading your personalized coverage card, take some time to read the information on “what to do in event of a medical emergency and what is covered.” If you are unable to access your personalized coverage card by logging on to the Sun Life plan member site, you may download the Travel Benefit and Medi-Assist brochure off the UBC website.

The brochure has the information on what to do in the event of a medical emergency, what is covered, and includes a cut-out travel card. Your group number is 025205 and your certificate / member id is your seven-digit UBC employee number.

Q5. I’m scheduled to go to [insert name of any country]. Is it safe to travel there?

A. The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) provides regular travel updates for all world regions. Ultimately, the decision on whether to go is yours to make, but Foreign Affairs is your best source of information on the safety of travel outside of Canada as well as Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), which issues travel health notices and warnings.

You can contact Foreign Affairs Canada (Consular Affairs) at 1-800-267-6788 or 613-944-6788 or visit their website for travel updates and current issues.

Q6. Who do I call or where do I refer to if I have questions about my extended health plan coverage if I plan to travel?

A. If you want information on your out-of-province/Canada coverage, Sun Life’s Customer Care Centre are able to answer your questions by dialing 1-800-361-6212, or you can refer to Sun Life’s plan member website or your employee booklet by referring to the appropriate booklet based on your employment group.

To determine whether there are any limits or curtailment of services by Allianz Global Assistance, please call Allianz Global Assistance in advance of your departure for the latest information. If you are calling Allianz Global Assistance for information from Canada, please call: 1-800-654-1908.

Q7. If I ended up getting sick outside of Canada, what would I be covered for?

A. Your Sun Life group extended health care plan includes out-of-province/Canada coverage for emergency medical expenses such as hospitalization, prescription drugs, and doctor’s expenses. It is essential you contact Sun Life’s emergency travel assistance provider, Allianz Global Assistance, in the event of a medical emergency.

Your plan booklet or the Sun Life plan member website has details of covered expenses and limitations. Please refer to your employee booklet by referring to the appropriate booklet based on your employment group.

Q8. If I ended up getting sick while traveling, which number do I use to contact Allianz Global Assistance?

A. If you do have a medical emergency when travelling, you must call Sun Life’s emergency travel assistance provider, Allianz Global Assistance.  If you are in the United States or in Canada, call the toll-free number 1-800-654-1908.  If you are outside of Canada and the United States call 1-804-281-5700 (call collect if available).

Q9. What happens if authorities ordered an evacuation of an area, am I covered for the expenses to re-arrange my flights and hotel costs?

A. You should contact the local embassy for information in the event of an evacuation. The extended health plan coverage does not provide for reimbursement of expenses for flights and hotel costs in the event you and/or your dependents decide to forgo a trip or shorten the duration.

Please follow up with your travel supplier to determine if you are able to cancel or defer work-related travel without penalty. If you are assessed fees for cancelling or deferring travel, please follow-up with your department administrator to claim for these expenses per UBC policy #83: Travel and Related Expenses.

Q10. I’m going to be canceling my ticket and plans because of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. Is the ticket and any hotel costs reimbursable under my extended health plan’s travel assistance benefit?

A. No. Your extended health plan doesn’t cover the cost of your ticket and/or hotel costs if you decide to cancel your travel plans. The purpose of the extended health plan’s out-of-province/Canada and travel assistance benefit is to deal with medical emergencies while travelling for yourself and/or your covered dependents.

Please follow up with your travel supplier to determine if you are able to cancel or defer work-related travel without penalty. If you are assessed fees for cancelling or deferring travel, please follow-up with your department administrator to claim for these expenses per UBC policy #83: Travel and Related Expenses.

Q11. What if there is a travel advisory during the trip, as opposed to prior to the trip, will out-of- province/Canada coverage still be valid?

A. Yes, you will still be covered for out-of-province/Canada medical emergency coverage. If you do suffer a medical emergency, it is essential you contact Sun Life’s emergency travel assistance provider, Allianz Global Assistance, as soon as possible. Your booklet or the plan member website has details of covered expenses and limitations. Please refer to your employee booklet by referring to the appropriate booklet based on your employment group.