Emergency Medical Coverage

What to do in Emergency Medical Situations

If you are in an emergency medical situation while travelling outside B.C., call Europ Assistance. The information on how to contact Europ Assistance is on the downloadable Travel Benefit and Medi-Passport Information Sheet.

What is a Medical Emergency?

A medical emergency is defined as an acute illness or accidental injury that requires immediate, medically necessary treatment prescribed by a doctor. Here are some examples:

• A sudden, unexpected injury;
• An acute episode of a medical condition that was not identified or being treated prior to departure from BC; and
• An unexpected and unforeseen acute episode of a previously identified medical condition that was stable and controlled at the time of departure from BC.

Emergency Medical Coverage

Your UBC extended health coverage provides out-of-Province/out-of-Country coverage including coverage for assistance in the event of a medical emergency. The emergency travel assistance is provided by Europ Assistance which is part of the world’s largest network of these services.

While these services are typically utilized in emergency situations while travelling outside of Canada, they can also be used within Canada if an emergency situation arises when you are travelling in Canada, outside of BC.You are covered for a period of 365 days of absence per trip. If you are hospitalized during this period as a result of a medical emergency, in-patient services are covered for up to 90 days.

FAQs on Medical Emergencies:

Q: What is my coverage while travelling outside B.C.?
Q: What is Medi-Passport?
Q. What is considered a “medical emergency”?
Q. What should I do if I have a medical emergency?
Q. What information do I need to provide Eurpo Assistance in the event of a medical emergency?
Q. What emergency services are provided by Europ Assistance?

Emergency Medical Travel Benefit (Out of Province/Country)

As part of your extended health plan, your out-of-Province/out-of-Country Emergency Medical Travel Benefit not only provides you access to the services of Europ Assistance, but also covers you and your eligible family members for certain eligible emergency medical expenses and emergency services. Refer to our FAQs on emergency medical situations for more information on what’s covered and what to do if you need assistance.

Eligible emergency medical expenses and emergency services that are considered reasonable are covered at 100% less the deductible, up to your overall extended health lifetime maximum. The overall extended health lifetime maximum is $1,000,000 per covered person less any amounts reimbursed since joining the UBC extended health benefit plan.

For more information on the lifetime balance for you or each dependent on your plan, contact Sun Life directly at 1-800-361-6212 or 1-800-661-7334.

Expenses for all other services and supplies eligible under your extended health plan are outlined in your Sun Life booklet (e.g., prescription drug medical equipment and supplies (out-patient), paramedical services, and vision care benefits). Payment for these expenses will be limited to the reasonable & customary charge within BC, and in Canadian funds.

For more detailed information about your out-of-Province/out-of-Country Emergency Medical Travel Benefit conditions and limitations, please refer to your benefits coverage based on your employment group.