A long-term visit to Canada can be exciting for parents and grandparents, but medical costs can become a serious concern without suitable insurance. When comparing Blue Cross vs Manulife, families should look beyond the premium and consider emergency medical limits, pre-existing condition coverage, deductibles, policy duration and assistance services. Both insurers offer Visitors to Canada plans that can meet Super Visa insurance requirements, but their features are not identical.
Blue Cross vs Manulife: How Their Super Visa Plans Compare
For Super Visa applicants, the insurance policy must meet specific Canadian government requirements. The policy must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency coverage, and cover healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation.
Medavie Blue Cross offers a Visitors to Canada plan with coverage options of $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000. Its website specifically states that the Visitors to Canada insurance meets the requirements for obtaining a Super Visa when the required minimum coverage is selected. Coverage can be purchased for trips of up to 365 days.
Manulife’s Visitors to Canada plans offer emergency medical coverage up to $200,000. Its Basic, Standard and Enhanced plans all meet the requirements for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. Coverage can be selected at different levels, including $100,000, $150,000 and $200,000.
This gives Manulife an advantage in terms of the maximum available emergency medical limit. However, maximum coverage is only one consideration when choosing insurance for a long stay.
Emergency Medical Benefits
Blue Cross includes a broad range of emergency medical benefits in its Visitors to Canada plan. These can include hospital accommodation, physician services, medical appliances, private registered nursing, laboratory tests, emergency prescription drugs, ambulance services, emergency transportation home and repatriation services.
Manulife similarly covers emergency medical expenses, including physician services, ambulance transportation, semi-private hospital accommodation, diagnostic tests and treatment from registered specialists or therapists, depending on the selected plan and policy terms. Its plans also include benefits such as prescription drugs and transportation-related expenses.
For a parent staying in Canada for several months, these benefits can matter more than simply choosing the lowest premium. An emergency hospital visit, ambulance ride or specialist treatment can result in substantial expenses, so understanding the actual benefit limits is important.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Long-Term Stays
One of the biggest considerations in Blue Cross vs Manulife is how the policy handles existing medical conditions.
Manulife offers three Visitors to Canada plans. Its Basic plan does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, while the Standard plan provides coverage for certain pre-existing conditions that did not exist within the 180 days before the policy’s effective date. The Enhanced plan can cover eligible pre-existing conditions that have remained stable for at least 180 days, subject to its conditions and exclusions.
This distinction can be particularly important for older parents and grandparents, who may have a history of medical treatment or ongoing prescriptions.
Blue Cross also provides emergency medical protection, but travellers should examine the applicable policy wording carefully to determine how pre-existing conditions are treated. Its published Visitors to Canada information notes that eligibility and benefit details can vary by age and circumstances. For individuals aged 55 to 75 travelling for 32 days or more, and for those aged 76 and over, Blue Cross advises contacting an agent for information about the Emergency Medical Care benefit.
Deductibles and Assistance Services
Another difference worth considering is the deductible. Blue Cross states that its Visitors to Canada plan has no deductible, which may make it attractive to travellers who prefer predictable out-of-pocket costs when an eligible claim occurs.
Manulife’s plans provide different deductible options, allowing travellers to choose coverage based on their preferences and budget. A deductible can reduce the premium, but it also means the insured person may need to pay a specified amount when making an eligible claim.
Blue Cross also provides 24/7 emergency assistance through CanAssistance. The service can assist travellers with medical, legal and translation needs, while Blue Cross states that it can make payments directly to healthcare providers within its network when possible.
Manulife provides 24/7, 365-day Travel Assistance with its Visitors to Canada plans. This can be valuable during a medical emergency, particularly when a parent or grandparent needs help navigating healthcare services in Canada.
Which Is Better for a Long-Term Super Visa Stay?
There is no universal winner in Blue Cross vs Manulife because the better choice depends on the visitor’s age, medical history, desired coverage limit and budget.
Blue Cross may appeal to travellers who prefer no deductible and require coverage up to $150,000. Its 365-day coverage option and Super Visa eligibility make it a practical choice for longer visits.
Manulife may be preferable for families seeking a higher maximum emergency medical limit, with coverage available up to $200,000. Its Standard and Enhanced plans can also provide options for eligible pre-existing medical conditions, subject to the applicable stability requirements.
Therefore, Blue Cross vs Manulife should be evaluated based on the actual needs of the parent or grandparent rather than choosing solely on brand reputation or premium. Review the policy’s emergency medical limit, deductible, pre-existing condition provisions, exclusions and assistance services before purchasing.
For families comparing Super Visa Insurance options, Parent Super Visa Insurance Company can help you explore available plans and compare coverage based on your parent’s individual circumstances. Contact the team to discuss suitable options for a long-term stay in Canada.
FAQs
1. Does Blue Cross offer Super Visa Insurance?
Yes. Medavie Blue Cross offers a Visitors to Canada plan with coverage options up to $150,000 and states that the plan meets Super Visa insurance requirements when the minimum required coverage is selected.
2. What is Manulife’s maximum Super Visa coverage?
Manulife’s Visitors to Canada plans offer emergency medical coverage up to $200,000, depending on the selected plan and policy limit.
3. Can Super Visa insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Some plans may provide coverage for eligible pre-existing conditions, but stability requirements and exclusions apply. Manulife’s Standard and Enhanced plans have specific provisions for eligible pre-existing medical conditions.
4. Does Blue Cross have a deductible?
Medavie Blue Cross states that its Visitors to Canada plan has no deductible. Travellers should still review the policy wording for applicable limitations, exclusions and benefit conditions.
5. Which is better for a long Super Visa stay?
Neither insurer is automatically better for every visitor. Compare the coverage limit, deductible, pre-existing condition provisions, policy terms and emergency assistance services based on the parent’s specific needs.