Travel frequently asked questions

UBC is able to provide information about your coverage through the UBC group plans while travelling outside of BC; however, the decision to purchase additional medical or other insurance is yours to make. Should you choose to speak with your travel agent or insurance broker about additional coverage while travelling, have them refer to the Sun Life extended health benefits booklet and other coverage booklets. Note that coverage, exclusions and limitations vary across plans, so it is important that you read and understand your benefit coverage and conditions.

If you are faced with a medical emergency when traveling outside of your home province, your Medi-Passport benefit can help. Medi-Passport supplements the emergency portion of your Extended Health Care coverage, and is subject to any maximum applicable to the emergency portion of the Extended Health Care coverage. Medi-Passport coverage is provided through Global Excel Management, Sun Life’s travel benefit provider.

You are covered for Medi-Passport if you are enrolled in the Extended Health Plan.

Some examples of expenses covered by Medi-Passport include:

• hotel accommodation and meals, if your return trip is delayed by a medical emergency involving you or another person travelling with you who is also covered under your plan;
• replacement of transportation tickets, if you lose the use of your return ticket due to a medical emergency; and
• return of remains to BC, in the event of death.

Maximums apply. For more information, please refer to the Sun Life Extended Health booklet based on your employee group.

You can download your personalized coverage card by logging onto mysunlife.ca or my Sun Life mobile app and clicking on “my coverage” and printing your coverage card under “Resources”. Your personalized coverage card has the Global Excel Management phone numbers and includes your group and certificate number/member ID that you will have to provide Global Excel Management in the event of a medical emergency. If you prefer to print the cut-out travel card, your group number is 025205 and your certificate/member ID is your seven-digit UBC employee number.

Vaccinations are covered under the Extended Health Plan up to a maximum amount of $300 per person per benefit year. For more information, please refer to the Sun Life Extended Health booklet based on your employee group.

No.

Yes, if the pre-existing medical condition was stable and controlled at the time of departure from BC/Canada and your doctor has stated that you are cleared to travel. It is strongly recommended you obtain a letter from your doctor clearing travel or request a note to your file.

You are only covered for emergency services related to a pregnancy. Emergency services mean any reasonable medical services or supplies, including advice, treatment, medical procedures or surgery, required as a result of an emergency. Any emergency incident that happens while out of Canada must be considered unexpected to be processed through the travel benefit.

All pregnancy related claims are reviewed by Sun Life’s out-of-country benefits provider. Travelling to another province or country with the intention to give birth or get regular prenatal checkups are not covered.

If you, or your covered spouse, is travelling while pregnant and close to the expected due date, it is recommended that the pregnant person be cleared for travel by their doctor.

Yes. If you are injured while participating in extreme sports your emergency medical costs will be covered.

Yes. Contact Global Excel Management, Sun Life’s travel assistance provider, as soon as possible. Global Excel Management will try to connect you with medical services to the best of its ability; however, services may be delayed or unavailable depending on the situation.

Yes. Contact Global Excel Management, Sun Life’s travel assistance provider, as soon as possible.Global Excel Management will try to connect you with medical services to the best of its ability during a natural disaster; however, services may be delayed or unavailable depending on the situation.

Yes, as long as you are not a participant in the activity. Contact Global Excel Management, Sun Life’s travel assistance provider, as soon as possible. Global Excel Management will try to connect you with medical services to the best of its ability during a terrorist activity; however, services may be delayed or unavailable depending on the situation.

No. Your Extended Health Plan doesn’t cover the cost of your ticket and/or hotel costs if you decide to cancel your travel plans. The Travel Assistance benefit is designed to address medical emergencies while travelling for yourself and/or your covered dependents.

Contact UBC Benefits.

Translation costs will only be covered if you contacted Global Excel Management (Sun Life’s travel benefits provider) before seeking medical treatment. Global Excel Management will assume all of these expenses directly as they manage the case.

If a claim is submitted after the fact and Global Excel Management was not contacted to provide assistance, any expenses required in order to submit the claim (such as fees for obtaining medical records, translation expenses, etc.) are your responsibility.