Medavie Blue Cross is a not-for-profit company that has provided health insurance to residents of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island for over 70 years. Medavie Blue Cross is a member of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross.
Medavie Blue Cross’ travel insurance packages are offered through Useblue.com (who also offer travel insurance for Ontario Blue Cross and Quebec Blue Cross).
Advantages
- Offers insurance for visitors to Canada
- A transparent overview of eligibility and pre-existing condition stability periods
Disadvantages
- If you are aged 76 or older, you’ll have to fill a lengthy medical questionnaire
- It can be confusing to choose the right plan, given that there are so many plan options
Overview
Medavie Blue Cross provides many travel insurance products to its clients including Annual Plan with Package and the Annual option.
The company also offers Summertime Blue Plan, Emergency Medical Care plan, DFAIT 30-day Annual Travel Protection plan, Package Plus, Canada Package without Trip Cancellation, Canada Package and Package without Trip Cancellation.
Medavie Blue Cross also offers Trip Cancellation or Interruption and numerous Visitors to Canada plans.
Annual (Multi-trip) Emergency Medical Care Plan
This plan offers emergency medical coverage of up to $5 million per person per individual for multiple trips in one year. You can choose between 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days maximum trip lengths. This plan doesn’t include trip cancellation, interruption or baggage insurance.
Annual (Multi-trip) Plan with Package Option
This plan provides insurance for multiple trips during a single year, and offers emergency medical coverage of up to $5 million per person.
You can choose from 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days for the maximum length of the trip.
There are four different plans available, with different amounts of trip cancellation benefits: Package $1,500 (with $1,500 in trip cancellation), Package $2,000, Package $2,500 and Package $5,000. All four plans include unlimited trip interruption and $1,500 baggage. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and above.
Emergency Medical Care Plan
This plan includes up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance for a single trip.
MasterCard Ovation Gold cardholders can get a discount on this plan.
The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under and six months for ages 55 and older.
Summertime Blue Plan
This plan includes up to $5 million emergency medical insurance per person. It covers unlimited trips from June 2nd to September 2nd, and is only available if you’re 75 years of age or younger.
Canada Package
This plan only for Canadians traveling within Canada.
It includes up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation of up to the amount of your trip, unlimited trip interruption cover, and up to $1,500 baggage amount among other benefits. There’s a 182 day maximum trip length.
If your trip cost per person is over $15,000, you’ll need to phone a representative to learn more. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and above.
MasterCard Ovation Gold cardholders can get a discount on this plan.
Canada Package without Trip Cancellation
This plan is for Canadians traveling within Canada only and offers $5 million emergency medical insurance, unlimited trip interruption, up to $25,000 accidental death or disbursement, up to $75,000 air flight accident, up to $500 baggage amount among other benefits. There’s a 182 day maximum trip length.
If your trip cost per person is over $15,000, you’ll need to phone a representative to learn more. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and above.
Package Plus
This plan is for a single trip, and offers $5 million in emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation for the amount of your trip, unlimited trip interruption, and up to $1,500 baggage insurance.
The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and above.
Package Plus without Trip Cancellation
This plan is for a single trip, and offers $5 million in emergency medical coverage, but no trip cancellation or interruption coverage. There’s $1,500 baggage insurance. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and above.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
This plan is for a single trip, and offers trip cancellation up to the value of your trip, and unlimited trip interruption. No emergency medical insurance or other benefits are included. For pre-existing conditions, a 3-month period of stability is required before the insurance purchase date.
DFAIT 30-day Annual Travel Protection
Medavie Blue Cross (through trueblue.com) offers a 30 day annual multi-trip plan specifically for members of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) and their dependents.
The annual premium is $125 for an individual and $250 for a family. Coverage is for an unlimited number of trips per year, with a maximum of 30 days allowed for each trip.
Comparison Chart for Medavie Blue Cross Travel Insurance Plans
| Plan | Medical Insurance Coverage | Deductible | Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Baggage | Maximum Age and Maximum Length of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Emergency Medical Care Plan | 5 million | 0 |  | | No age limit. Maximum trip length of 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Annual Plan with Package option | 5 million | 0 | Trip cancellation $1,500, $2,000, $2,500 or $5,000. Trip interruption unlimited. | $1,500 | No age limit. Maximum trip length of 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Emergency Medical Care Plan | 5 million | 0 | | | No age limit. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Summertime Blue | 5 million | 0 | | | 75 years and below. Unlimited amount of trips from June 2nd to September 2nd. |
| Canada Package | 5 million | 0 | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | $1,500 | No age limit. 182 day maximum trip length. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Canada Package without Trip Cancellation | 5 million | 0 | | $1,500 | No age limit. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Package Plus | 5 million | 0 | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | $1,500 | No age limit |
| Package Plus without Trip Cancellation | 5 million | 0 | | $1,500 | No age limit |
| Trip Cancellation and Interruption | | 0 | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | | No age limit |
Tips for Saving with Medavie Blue Cross Travel Insurance
- If you have another policy with Medavie Blue Cross, you may qualify for discounts on your travel insurance.
- MasterCard Ovation Gold cardholders can get a discount on the Emergency Medical Single Trip Plan and the Canada Package Plan.
Refunds
- You need to submit your refund from the agent you purchased your policy from. You may get a pro-rated refund for an unused part of your policy if you haven’t made a claim. All refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee.
- You must make a refund claim in writing.
You Need to Know
- Medavie Blue Cross travel insurance products are underwritten by Ontario Blue Cross.
- You need a valid Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan (except for visitors to Canada plans)
- You need to depart from and return to your province of residence at the end of the trip.
- You must apply for coverage before leaving on your trip.
- Policies and coverage can change at any time, without warning. This article is only intended as general advice. Please check your own policy carefully and visit Pacific Blue Cross for up to date information.
Visitors to Canada Plan
- This plan is designed for non-Canadians and their families travelling in Canada or returning Canadians that are not eligible for the Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan.
- You can choose from medical coverage of $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000 coverage for non-Canadian visitors and their families. Benefits include emergency medical care, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance.
- You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
Foreign Student Visitors to Canada Plan
This plan provides up to $100,000 coverage for foreign students age 49 and under while studying in. Students must have a full time status with a learning institution in order to qualify. Benefits include emergency medical care, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance. The maximum length of this plan is 365 days.
You need to get plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
Foreign Worker Visitors to Canada Plan
The plan is designed for foreign workers aged 69 and below who are not eligible to enroll for group insurance. This plan includes up to $100,000 coverage for non-Canadians who are working in Canada Benefits include emergency medical care, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance.
To get this plan, you will need to successfully complete the necessary medical test required by the Canadian Government and are required to have proof of active employment during the period of coverage.
The maximum length of this plan is 365 days.
You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
Immigrant Visitors to Canada Plan
This plan is for Landed Immigrants to Canada who are age 69 or younger. Coverage includes up to $100,000 for Canadians waiting for the processing their Canadian citizenship. Benefits provided include emergency care medical cover, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance. The maximum length of this plan is 365 days.
You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
How to Learn more
You can learn more about Medavie Blue Cross Travel Insurance plans online or by phone at 1 877 909 7686.
For the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) plan, you can learn more from Medavie Blue Cross.
Want to Compare Medavie Blue Cross’ Travel Insurance Rates?
The easiest way to compare Canadian travel insurance rates is to use a comparison website.
RATESDOTCA lets you compare Canadian travel insurance online in just minutes. They give free, no obligation quotes.
Type in a few details about your trip, and compare policy coverage and prices to help narrow down your choice.