Canada’s ‘snowbirds,’ residents who take to warmer climates in winter, have won back their out-of-country medical coverage in a court decision that will reinstate coverage for medical bills on the road.
The decision applies to Ontario residents whose coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Act incluided an Out of Country Travellers Program that was terminated by the Ontario government on January 1, 2020. The unanimous court ruled that the Province’s executive had to authority to do so. Ontario is the only province whose government took such a step.
The Canadian Snowbird Association had filed the suit; the decision will now restore reimbursement of $200 and $400 a day for emergency inpatient services and $50 for emergency outpatient. Most snowbirds also buy travel medical insurance because the coverage is not comprehensive, but the suit argued, among other grounds, that loss of the coverage would cause a rise in cost for travel medical.
Canada’s snowbirds are grounded this year. The US/Canada border is closed to them for “nonessential” travel, and should they manage to slip through they’ll be required to self-isolate for 14 days when returning to Canada.
The border closure has been in place since March. It was to be temporary but the Canadian government has requested it be renewed repeatedly. It is currently set to expire in October, but I expect the closure to continue into 2021.
Nice to know that tourists are welcome back in Cuba. But I expect few to take advantage of it. Most elderly tourists are still unsure about flying until there is a vaccine, and at least in the case of Canadians, they have a 14 day quarantine awaiting them on their return to Canada. Not everyone has the time or interest in doing that.
The Snowbirds are now travelling to Cuba for sunshine – sea and strawberry Ice Cream. They are allowed onto the islands that are miles out to sea. Isolated but fun.
I run the Facebook site for 2 Hotels in Cuba and many Snowbirds who’ve been returning for 20 years to the same Hotel are chomping at the bit to be first back. Some Snowbirds get a great price for a 3 months stay. Many retired visitors give Covid no consideration. If you’re going to get it you will anyway. Brave bunch.