Superior Court rules against decision to end out-of-country travel insurance in Canadian Province
A court ruling in Canada will mean that the snowbird community, and other individual’s planning trips abroad, will retain their out-of-country emergency insurance coverage
The Ontario Divisional court has ordered the Canadian province to reinstate Ontario Health Insurance Plan’s Out-of-Country Travellers Program, which it cancelled at the beginning of 2020 as part of efforts to address the province’s CA$11.7 billion deficit.
The insurance covers out-of-country inpatient services to a maximum of $400 per day for a higher level of care, and up to $50 per day for emergency outpatient services and doctor services. Health Minister Christine Elliott has said the province spent $2.8 million to administer approximately $9 million in claim payments through the programme every year.
A win for the CSA is an overall win for travel trade
In January, the Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) launched a judicial review of the changes in January, saying the government’s move was a ‘egregious violation’ of the Canada Health Act. Following this, on 23 September 2020, the Superior Court ruled in the CSA’s favour.
“The Canadian Snowbird Association is pleased with the Court’s decision,” said CSA President Karen Huestis in a statement. “The ruling affirms the right of Ontario residents to out-of-country emergency insurance coverage, as required by the Canada Health Act.”
The loss of this emergency insurance coverage would undoubtedly have inspired a downfall in travel trade, not to mention a sharp decline in traveller confidence. Knowing that they can get the help they need when they need it is perhaps the only think encouraging people to travel at the moment.