Traveling Outside Canada – video doctor appointments

One of my travel insurance providers just advised that they now have a partnership with Air Doctor. This will provide

even faster, easier access to video and in-person medical consultations while travelling.

The Air Doctor service provides customers with the ability to schedule virtual doctor appointments in over 80 countries if they become ill or have a minor injury while travelling, via an easy-to-use, digital booking tool.

Video consultations provide faster access to a doctor, no waiting rooms or lineups, and the ability to receive local prescriptions or requisitions virtually when needed. Depending on the country, booking in-person (at a clinic, home or hotel room) appointments may also be available through the tool.

As a key benefit, there are no up-front, out-of-pocket costs to customers for initial medical consultations when arranged via the Air Doctor web app.

This insurance company will send you an email with details  shortly before their trip with information about the Air Doctor service and a link to access the tool, in case they need treatment on their trip. As well, their 24/7 call center will continue be open. This is just another option.

Manulife Banking rates changing daily

Almost every day I receive an email from Manulife Bank that their rates are changing.

As of Sept 22nd, their Investment Savings Account has a 2% rate, and their Investment Savings F-class has 2.15%

They have no fee bank accounts (advantage accounts) as well as a combined Savings account-Mortgage HELOC (Manulife One) account. If you’d like to know more (I’m licensed in Alberta) give me a shout!

Do you need Travel Insurance while travelling within Canada?

Most people think that our Socialized Health care means that there is no costs if you are injured while travelling within the country. However, this isn’t always the case.

One of my Travel Insurance providers provided case studies. These are actual claims they paid out!

If you are traveling, make sure you ask me about insurance. Within Canada medical is very reasonable because our Health Care does cover a lot.

Out of Province Hospitalization

Samantha, a 21-year-old from British Columbia, was visiting friends in Toronto when she tripped and fell down a steep flight of stairs, suffering severe head injuries, including multiple skull fractures. She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors performed emergency brain surgery.

Samantha stayed at the hospital for 47 days, undergoing several procedures while doctors closely monitored her recovery. Her parents flew in from British Columbia to be by her side, offering support throughout the long and challenging journey. Once stable, the medical team recommended that Samantha return home for ongoing care and rehabilitation, so she was airlifted back to British Columbia.

While Samantha’s hospital stay was covered by her provincial healthcare, the air ambulance and her parents’ travel and accommodation costs were not. Fortunately, Samantha had Emergency Medical Insurance, which covered more than $82,000 in expenses, giving her family one less thing to worry about during an incredibly hard time.

$4000 broken leg

While exploring the remote wilderness near Caniapiscau in northern Quebec, 31-year-old Daniel from Ottawa suffered a serious fall, fracturing his femur. With no cell service, he used a satellite phone to call for help. An ambulance arrived and took him on a six-hour journey to the nearest hospital, where he underwent surgery.

After five days in hospital, Daniel was stable and ready to go home. However, because of his injury, he couldn’t sit upright for the long trip by bus that he’d originally planned. The Insurance Company arranged a ground ambulance to safely transport him back to his home in Ottawa, so he could lay flat during transport.

Fortunately, Daniel had purchased a Multi-Trip Annual Emergency Medical Insurance plan, which covered the ambulances not covered by his provincial health plan, saving him over $4,200 and easing the stress of his unexpected injury.

RBC closing some Mutual and Segregated Funds

On Sep 18th RBC advised its advisors that it is closing the following Mutual/Seg Funds:

  • RBC Bluebay Global Convertible Bond GIF
  • PH&N Total Return Bond GIF
  • O’Shaughnessy All Canadian Equity GIF
  • O’Shaughnessy US Value GIF
  • O’Shaughnessy International Equity GIF.

They do have “continuation” funds that have similar MERs that the closing funds investments will be moved into.