GroupHEALTH members with Out of Country coverage who are unvaccinated will no longer be excluded from receiving coverage based on vaccination status.
The Government of Canada travel advisory states that unvaccinated travelers should “avoid all non-essential travel”, effectively excluding them from coverage. GroupHEALTH has made the decision to administratively override this exclusion and provide coverage to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers effective immediately.
It should be noted that:
- Travel to countries or regions under a Government of Canada travel advisory recommending against “all travel” or “all non-essential travel” are not covered.
- Medical expenses incurred due to COVID while travelling to countries not under a Government of Canada travel Advisory are covered.
- Any costs associated with COVID vaccinations, including travel costs, are not covered.
- COVID is now a known issue and there is a pandemic exclusion for Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption coverage. This means that the following conditions apply. Note this list may not be exhaustive and each case will be adjudicated on it’s own merits.
- Trip cancellation or interruption of travel because of the pandemic will not be covered unless the Government of Canada issues an advisory against “all travel” or “non-essential travel” following departure.
- Trip cancellation or any non-medical expenses incurred while travelling because the traveler chooses not to receive required vaccines will not be covered.
- The following will not be covered:
- Delay or cancellation of departure as a result of quarantine rules that are in place on the day the trip is booked
- Delay or cancellation of a return trip as a result of the quarantine rules that are in place on the day of departure
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption due to medical reasons that arise from having COVID will be covered.
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption because of the following will be covered:
- A positive COVID test before departure does not allow you to travel due to government or airline restrictions (other than the Government of Canada travel advisory), provided the person was not positive at the time of booking.
A positive COVID test while travelling does not allow you to travel home due to government or airline restrictions other than the Government of Canada travel advisory), provided the person was not positive at the time of departure.
Please refer members to the Covid-19 Hub for access to this information.