Health This experience emphasizes the importance for travellers to remember these important tips: ▶▶ Unless it’s an emergency (in which case you call 911), always notify your insurer when it’s apparent that medical services are needed. Not only are they in many cases able to direct you to the most appropriate facility, they will also open a claim for you and be directly involved with providers should your illness or injury require more care than expected. Keep them informed of your situation following your investigation or treatment. ▶▶ Carry with you at all times a brief history of past and current conditions, including the exact spelling and dosage of any drugs which you are taking. Often, the names of drugs prescribed in Canada have different names than in the country which you visit, even the U.S. This allows the doctor to determine the exact medication that you are taking. ▶▶ Individual doctors’ offices – as well as walk-in clinics – usually require you to pay by cash or credit card. Although some payment arrangements have been made by insurers with such providers, these are the exception as there are millions of providers worldwide, making such arrangements usually impossible. Accordingly, don’t be shy about asking for a discount, especially when you have a deductible. ▶▶ Keep your receipt for services so that the insurer can recover your provincial health insurance contribution, as well as for possible use on your income tax return. See the back of your insurance card for the information needed to submit the receipts to your provincial health-care plan. In the case of more serious injury or illness, hospital care may be indicated. Again, if an emergency, call 911 first. After you call 911, call your insurance provider to update them about the situation. In most countries, you will be taken to the nearest hospital capable of treating your particular problem. For example, if a possible stroke, you would be taken to a site which has a stroke centre in order to stabilize your condition. In some cases, you might have a choice when you know a particular facility to be reputable and nearby. Once you have been assessed and deemed stable, your insurer may direct you to one of their preferred providers to continue your care. CSANews | SPRING 2016 | 29
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