Meridian credit union credit card | Credit card reward programs | Discussion forum

You may have read my post alluding to my own experience with Allianz that, until recently, administered claims for Sun Life group health emergency out of Country medical claims .

I believe Meridian cc's are administered by Collabria, who contracts insurance coverage, perhaps Cumis.

Having had some experience with my own out of Country medical claims, as well as being familiar with the experiences of other Canadians in our Florida community, if one has no group insurance, and needs to get individual coverage, the best option is probably Snowbirds Association Medipac insurance for competence, reliability and effective claims settlement.

If your travel is to the U.S. in particular, one cannot rely on imprecise credit card benefits where supposed savings could result in false economy.

Stephen

One needs to read the certificate of insurance and see what is covered and the qualifications for the coverage.

There's no legal standard for what is "travel medical insurance". So, differences in the price of different policies could be from differences in coverage.

For example, the travel insurance policy for the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards card does not cover any expenses directly or indirectly resulting from medical conditions that are not "stable" for at least six months before the trip for those age 55 or more. One will likely have a claim for emergency heart attack treatment denied if the insurer finds that one's heart medication was increased four months before the trip.

A different travel medical insurance policy may be more expensive because the policy may require only three months of stability instead of six months.

tc said
Thanks all for your comments. I read the policy from beginning to end.It looks like legit especially under 'pre existing conditions.'
If taking medications make sure the dosage is not changed (up or down)for previous 6 months etc etc.
What I am worried is they will try to neatpick your claim or worst case scenario, denied your claim and let you challenge them that you are eligible.
If forum members had ANY MEDICAL CLAIMS experience with credit card benefits or purchased plans ,please share them.
Very interested in knowing your outcome.
I heard horror stories that the insurance reps got rewarded for successfully REJECTING CLAIMS.
Thanks again  

You should assume that ANY travel insurance (medical, trip cancellation, etc.) will "nitpick" your claim, bury you with multiple & repeated paper work requests (even for the same information that has already been supplied once or more), in an attempt to justify denying your claim, or the very least, drag out even the most straightforward claim for a covered item. It will rarely be easy or quick.

Claim experience has shown me that it makes no difference whether it's a (lower cost) policy included with a credit card, or a much more expensive stand alone policy. The certificate of insurance will be examined with a fine tooth comb to find wording that can deny your claim. On the other hand, if there are no loopholes they can find in the wording, your claim will (usually, and eventually) be paid.

I have read several of these policies over the years and the fact of the matter is that they are all written in language which a lay person will have difficulty deciphering with full confidence. One person's "stable" is not another's, and it goes beyond changes in medications. And so on I have sometimes discussed these with physicians in order to be sure we are covered but even they often don't know.

The insurers have armies of lawyers whose sole job is to figure out how to deny claims. They also have rosters of medical specialists who will agree with them in court.
Try to take a conservative interpretation; assume the worst. And don't pay up front for care if you can avoid it.
I've run into other catchy phrases like "claim must be initiated within X hours - which is totally impossible if you are unconscious or seriously ill. If they meant to allow an extension in such circumstances, they would have said so.