Community Information Update Akwesasne Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (ANIHB) OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL

The ANIHB Program would like to inform community members that anyone who is considering traveling Out of Country , whether it’s for business or leisure that you ensure you have the adequate travel insurance coverage. It is not within the mandate of the ANIHB program to cover the cost of any medical bills outside of Canada, they are your responsibility.

FACTS:

Quebec and Ontario Health Insurance will not cover the entire cost associated with your being injured or becoming ill when traveling outside of Canada.

They will ask that you pay for the cost up front and then seek reimbursement from the province in which you reside.

They will only reimburse you the amounts that are allowable in Canada.

In order to avoid having to pay for costly medical bills it is a requirement that you purchase insurance prior to traveling.

ALTERNATIVE INSURANCE COVERAGE:

Check with your employer to see if you have group insurance coverage that extends to family members.

You may apply at Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, or even take a look at your Visa or MasterCard, you may already have optional travel coverage that you are not aware of.

WHAT DO I DO WITH MEDICAL BILLS I HAVE RECEIVED?

If you have received bills from Massena/Malone or any other hospital outside of Canada, it is your responsibility to ensure that the hospital receives your valid health card information and proper billing address.

Please do not delay in providing this information to the hospital, you will be placed into collection should you not respond to the request for payment.

Should you require assistance in sending your bills to the Out of Country claims department of Ontario or Quebec please bring your bills in to the ANIHB office or call us at 613-575-2341 ext. 3242 or 3241.

Thank you

Cynthia Francis-Mitchell, Program Manager

Akwesasne Non-Insured Health Benefits