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Stability Period

Also known as a 'Stability Period Exclusion', or 'Stability Clause'.

A stability period is a clause that defines how long a pre-existing medical condition must remain stable before you qualify for emergency travel medical coverage. “Stable” means no new symptoms, treatments, or medication changes during the specified period, which is typically 90 to 180 days before departure.

This clause ensures travellers are medically stable to reduce the likelihood of claims from ongoing or worsening conditions. Insurers assess stability based on physician reports and prescription history. Any recent changes to dosage or treatment could reset the stability period and limit coverage for that condition.

Example:

If your travel policy requires a 90-day stability period and your blood pressure medication was adjusted 30 days before travel, related expenses may not be covered.

What to Watch For:

Read stability definitions carefully since each insurer sets unique rules. If uncertain, confirm eligibility in writing before traveling to avoid claim denials.

Related Terms

Exclusions For Recent Changes

Exclusions for recent changes refer to a rule in travel medical and health insurance policies that limits or denies coverage for medical conditions that have recently changed in treatment, medication, or stability before your coverage began or before you travel. These exclusions are designed to prevent claims related to conditions that may be unstable or unpredictable due to recent medical adjustments.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance provides financial protection for unexpected events that occur while you are traveling outside your home province, territory, or country. It helps cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, interruptions, delays, lost luggage, and other unforeseen travel-related incidents. The most important component of travel insurance is emergency medical coverage, which pays for hospital and physician costs, medical evacuations, and repatriation in case of serious illness or injury abroad

Extended Health Care Insurance

Extended health care insurance (EHC) is supplemental coverage that helps pay for medical expenses not covered by your provincial or territorial health plan. It protects you from out-of-pocket costs associated with services such as prescription drugs, vision care, medical equipment, hospital upgrades, emergency travel medical care, and paramedical services like physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is a type of coverage that helps pay for medical and healthcare expenses not fully covered by Canada’s public health system. It protects individuals and families from the high cost of prescription drugs, medical services, and treatments that fall outside provincial or territorial government health plans. Health insurance can be obtained through an employer’s group benefits plan or purchased individually from a private insurer.

Optional Benefit / Rider / Add-On

An optional benefit, also called a rider or add-on, is an additional feature that can be purchased to enhance your existing health, dental, life, or disability insurance plan. Optional benefits allow you to customize coverage by adding protection that suits your personal needs, rather than relying only on the base plan design.

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