This document will review what constitutes as an extension and for what products and how to process and extension.
Automatic extension of coverage are applicable when the return to the place of residence is postponed, all coverage are automatically extended free of charge:
Up to 24 hours due to a transportation delay beyond the control of the insured person.
For the duration of the hospitalization and the 24 hours following the discharge of the insured person from the hospital.
Up to 72 hours due to an illness that requires emergency medical care and that began within 24 hours of the expected return date.
For the period the insured person is restricted from boarding and the following 24-hour period when the return to their place of residence is postponed due to a diagnosis, a positive screening test or contact tracing in relation to a pandemic (Does not apply to Top-Up and Visitors to Canada insurance).
A Travel Plan Extension is purchased when a member is planning a trip that exceeds the number of days on their existing Saskatchewan Blue Cross Stand-Alone Individual or Annual Travel Plan.
A Top-up Travel Plan gives customers the option to buy additional days coverage for trip that aren't included in their current travel insurance plan. For example, if their existing plan covers 30 days but they plan to travel for 40 days, they can purchase a top-up to cover the additional 10 days.
Click here to learn who is eligible for Top-Up Travel Insurnace
Click here for step-by-instructions on how to quote and apply for Top-Up Travel Insurance
A customer is able to extend and existing travel policy if:
The original coverage has not expired
The member does not have a claim they are intending to submit
B2B does not indicate a claim is currently on file
Member has a claim but hasn't submitted yet? And still traveling?
Extensions can be sold as long as the covered persons
Still have valid provincial health coverage
Health condition remains unchanged since the departure date
Extensions are available for the following Saskatchewan Blue Cross Travel Plans:
An active Individual Travel Plan
An active Annual Travel Plan
Before the Effective Date: Select the "Modifications" button
After Effective Date: Select the "Extensions" button
Before departure from SK, to increase the number of days on an Annual policy:Select the "Modifications" button and adjust the number of days on the Available Products page.
Before departure from SK, to purchase an Extension:Through the Advisor Travel Portal, "Quote/Issue" a new Individual policy for the full duration of the member's trip. Enter their Certificate number from the Annual coverage into the discount field, which will credit the days already covered by the Annual policy.
After departure from SK (for extensions):Contact Saskatchewan Blue Cross directly when extending an Annual plan for a member who has already departed. The Advisor Travel Portal does not support backdating travel dates, so the system cannot calculate the coverage period accurately.
Contact the Member Experience Centre: 1-800-667-6853
Please gather the following information before contacting Saskatchewan Blue Cross:
Has the member’s health changed since departure?
Are there any claims (submitted or pending) that the member intends to file?
Have your distributor number and agent code ready.
Review the Preexisting Condition clause with the member as a reminder.
Rates:
Once the extension is approved, the additional premium must be paid to keep the contract valid.
If the extension or coverage conditions impact the initial rate of the contract, a new rate will apply for the entire contract duration.
Duration:
The contract must cover the entire trip, including the return date, unless the extension request is denied by the insurer.
Extensions can only be purchased for up to 365 days, which includes the original travel coverage dates.
Saskatchewan Blue Cross Requirement:
Extensions must be purchased through Saskatchewan Blue Cross. Buying an extension from another insurance company will make the Saskatchewan Blue Cross contract void, unless the extension request is denied by the insurer.
Notifications:
After an extension is sold, the member will receive an email detailing the changes to their plan.
A new policy number will not be issued.