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GMS Visitor Insurance Review – 2024
GMS Immigrants and Visitors Insurance offers comprehensive emergency medical coverage for new immigrants and visitors to Canada. The policy covers medical services such as hospitalization, outpatient treatment, prescription drugs, etc. with options for different deductible amounts and coverage limits. There is no waiting period for those who apply before they arrive in Canada. While GMS provides excellent coverage, some limitations include coverage exclusions for visitors over 80 and services in specific provinces.
- What are the key features of GMS’s visitor health insurance?
- What does GMS’s visitor health insurance plan cover?
- Does GMS cover pre-existing conditions?
- How much does visitor health insurance from GMS cost?
- Who is eligible for GMS’s visitor health insurance?
- When does my GMS visitor health coverage begin?
- What are the pros and cons of GMS’s visitor health insurance?
- Can I get a refund if I cancel my GMS visitor health insurance?
- How do I submit a claim for GMS visitor insurance?
- Are there any exclusions or limitations to GMS’s visitor health insurance?
- Frequently asked questions
GMS Immigrants and Visitors Insurance offers both, reliable and comprehensive visitor health insurance in Canada. Their plans are aimed at protecting visitors from emergency medical expenses during their stay.
Visitor to Canada insurance from GMS covers emergency medical care, hospital stays, and more. In this review, we’ll explore the key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of GMS visitor health insurance, helping you make an informed decision for your visitor insurance needs in 2024.
What are the key features of GMS visitor health insurance?
GMS offers visitor health insurance for up to $150,000 in coverage with deductible options ranging from $100 to $1,000. GMS offers coverage for stable pre-existing health conditions in all its insurance plans. Here’s a glance at the key features of GMS’s visitor to Canada insurance:
Key features of GMS’s visitor medical insurance
| Category | Details |
| Maximum age | 80 years |
| Maximum coverage amount | $150,000 |
| Deductibles | $0, $100, $500, or $1,000 |
| Waiting period | 2 days, if the policy is bought within 30 days of arrival in Canada; 7 days, when the policy is bought after 31 days |
| Monthly payment plans offered | No |
| Stability period for pre-existing conditions | 180 days |
| Availability | Available for visitors to Canada in all provinces except Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nunavut |
What does GMS visitor health insurance plan cover?
GMS visitors to Canada insurance covers emergency medical services like hospital stays, nursing care, ambulance services, diagnostic procedures, repatriation, and more. It is a reliable option for foreign travellers, immigrants, students, and work permit holders seeking medical insurance.
GMS visitor to Canada eligible expenses
| Category | Details |
| In-hospital care | Semi-private room accommodation, hospital services, and supplies. Follow-up visits within 14 days of the emergency, unless otherwise instructed and approved by GMS |
| Medical services | Any emergency Treatment by a physician or surgeon |
| Diagnostic services | X-rays and diagnostic tests. Pre-authorization required for MRI, CT scans, sonograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies |
| Out-patient treatment | Emergency room expenses for outpatient care |
| Prescription medication | Up to 30-day prescription for drugs/medication prescribed by the attending physician. Refills and associated physician expenses are excluded |
| Ambulance | Licensed road or air ambulance for immediate hospital transport. Air ambulance requires pre-authorization from GMS |
| Health practitioners | Emergency services from osteopaths, optometrists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, chiropodists, and podiatrists (max $500 per person) |
| Accidental dental | Up to $2,000 for accidental dental injuries. Up to $300 for dental pain relief. Dental implants excluded. |
| Return of remains | Up to $10,000 for preparation/transport of remains. Cremation or burial costs up to $4,000 (excludes funeral services) |
| Child care | Up to $500 for licensed child care if you’re hospitalized due to a medical emergency (with prior GMS approval) |
| Out-of-pocket expenses | Up to $150 per day (max $1,000) for accommodations, meals, calls, and transport for an accompanying family member during hospitalization |
| Repatriation (no attendant) | Up to $5,000 for transport to your country of origin without a medical escort. Includes airfare for 1 accompanying family member. Pre-approval required |
| Repatriation (with attendant) | Economy airfare, medical escort, stretcher, or air ambulance for return to your country of origin. Includes airfare for 1 family member. Pre-approval required |
| Side trips coverage | Covers trips outside Canada up to 30 days, provided they originate and terminate in Canada. Coverage excludes your country of origin and includes:
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Does GMS cover pre-existing conditions?
GMS offers some of the best visitor insurance plans that cover pre-existing conditions that have been stable for at least 180 days prior to the policy’s effective date.
GMS considers your condition to be stable if you have not received any new or different treatments, experienced any worsening symptoms, or had any changes to your medications during this period.
Additionally, you should not have required hospital care, specialist referrals, or ongoing diagnostic tests related to the condition. Changes in medication, such as dosage adjustments or new prescriptions, can also impact your condition’s stability and affect your coverage eligibility.
How much does visitor health insurance from GMS cost?
Visitor health insurance from GMS can cost anywhere between $108-$454 for $100,000 in coverage for a 30-day period across different age groups. Here’s a table highlighting the costs:
Cost of GMS visitor insurance to Canada
| Age Group | Premiums (per month) |
| 25 Years | $108.00/mo |
| 35 Years | $134.70/mo |
| 45 Years | $134.70/mo |
| 55 Years | $137.40/mo |
| 65 Years | $221.40/mo |
| 75 Years | $454.80/mo |
*These costs are for $100,000 in coverage for a visitor travelling to Canada for 30 days,
Who is eligible for GMS’s visitor health insurance?
Any visitor to Canada, including tourists, new immigrants, Super Visa applicants, and family members or friends of Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for GMS’s medical insurance for visitors to Canada.
Different eligibility criteria are based on an applicant’s age and pre-existing health conditions. GMS does not cover individuals whose main place of visit is in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nunavut.
Here’s a detailed look at the eligibility requirement for GMS’s visitor health insurance:
If you are under 55 years of age, you are NOT eligible if:
- You need medical treatment, except for regular care of a chronic condition or a medical evaluation for a travel visa
- You are currently in Canada and have been denied similar coverage by another Canadian insurer
- You are currently in Canada and have had over $5,000 in medical treatment in the last 12 months
If you are 55 years or older, you are NOT eligible if you are 80 or older at the policy start date, need medical treatment beyond routine care for chronic conditions, or have been denied similar coverage by another insurer.
Other disqualifiers include having received over $5,000 in medical treatment in Canada within the last 12 months, requiring heart disease treatment, using home oxygen, having metastatic cancer, or possessing an untreated vascular aneurysm.
Additionally, you are ineligible if you have an ICD, experienced unexplained fainting, or have undergone valve replacement, kidney dialysis, or an organ transplant. Conditions like congestive heart failure, atrial flutter, stroke, or AIDS, diagnosed or treated in the last 12 months, also affect eligibility. If you are 70 or older and need assistance with daily living, you are likewise ineligible.
When does my GMS visitor health coverage begin?
If you apply for coverage before arriving in Canada or continue without a gap from another Canadian insurer, your GMS visitor health plan coverage starts on the effective date specified on your policy without a waiting period.
If you get the policy after arrival in Canada, a waiting period is applied, during this time you will only be covered for any injury but illness will not be covered.
If you are uninsured and applying within 30 days of arrival, coverage for injury starts immediately, while a 2-day waiting period applies to medical conditions. After 30 days, injury coverage starts immediately, but a 7-day waiting period will apply for medical conditions.
The plan ends when you leave Canada (unless covered under specific extensions), when your coverage period ends, when GMS returns you to your home country, or when you become eligible for government health coverage.
What are the pros and cons of GMS’s visitor health insurance?
While GMS offers extensive medical coverage, coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, convenient administration, and 24/7 customer support, it limits coverage for dental and paramedical services, has eligibility restrictions in a few provinces, and does not cover high-risk activities.
Pros and cons of GMS’s Visitor to Canada insurance
| Pros | Cons |
| Covers stable pre-existing conditions if there have been no change in the condition for at least 180 days prior to the policy’s effective date | Limited coverage for dental and paramedical services |
| No waiting period if purchased before arrival or replacing an existing plan | Coverage is unavailable for visitors using addresses in Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut |
| Easy online claims submission and direct billing | Coverage is unavailable for visitors above 80 years |
| 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance | There are no lower priced plan options for healthy individuals with no pre-existing medical issues, as all GMS plans include pre-existing conditions. |
| Easier eligibility criteria for travellers under age 55 |
Can I get a refund if I cancel my GMS visitor health insurance?
Yes, GMS offers full refunds if no travel has occurred, and the request is made before the policy’s start date or after, in case of a visa application rejection, with an administration fee and proof required. Partial refunds apply under conditions like no travel after the policy starts, return to the country of origin (with proof), or obtaining government health coverage. A $40 administration fee is deducted from partial refunds requested after the effective date.
Refunds are not granted if a claim has been reported or if the request is made after the policy expires. However, a partial refund may be possible if only one contact was made with GMS, and no payment for medical treatment was issued. Refunds for visitor insurance are calculated based on unused coverage days and processed according to the original payment method.
How do I submit a claim for GMS visitor insurance?
In case of a medical emergency, contact GMS Travel Assistance within 24 hours to ensure full benefits. Written notice must be provided within 30 days, and claims can be submitted online or by mail, with all documents sent within 90 days of the incident. You will need to gather original receipts, proof of payment, complete medical records, and proof of travel dates.
GMS also provides 24/7 emergency assistance in multiple languages, ensuring support when needed. Claims are reviewed and processed based on policy terms, making the experience efficient and accessible for travellers managing medical expenses in Canada.
Are there any exclusions or limitations to GMS’s visitor health insurance?
Yes, GMS visitor health insurance has certain exclusions and limitations including coverage for treatment against doctor’s advice, non-urgent/elective treatment, childbirth, etc.
Exclusions due to pre-existing conditions
| Exclusion | Details |
| Country of origin | Expenses incurred in your country of origin are not covered |
| Medical advice | Expenses from acting against medical advice or GMS advice are not covered |
| Chronic conditions | Regular care of chronic conditions is not covered |
| Pre-arrival medical management | Failure to adhere to treatment, obtain tests, or receive results before arriving in Canada is not covered |
| Condition stability | Expenses from conditions that are not stable for 180 days before the policy effective date are not covered |
| Travel advisory | Expenses incurred during travel to areas with Canadian government advisories like “Avoid non-essential travel” are not covered |
| Continuation/recurrence | Expenses from continued or recurring medical conditions are not covered |
| Non-emergency medical treatment | Routine exams, checkups, elective surgery, and non-emergency treatments are not covered |
| Duplicate coverage | Expenses duplicated by government or private plans are not covered |
| Non-emergency treatments | Treatments not considered emergencies are not covered |
| Diagnostic facilities | Medical treatment at diagnostic facilities requires pre-approval |
| Unapproved air transportation | Emergency air transportation or return not pre-approved by GMS is not covered |
| Drugs | Non-prescription, unapproved, experimental, or preventative drugs are not covered |
| Diagnosis/treatment trips | Expenses incurred for trips taken for diagnosis or treatment are not covered |
| Travel against medical advice | Expenses incurred while traveling against medical advice are not covered |
| Pregnancy and related conditions | Expenses related to pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, childbirth, or complications are not covered |
| Newborn coverage | Newborns are not covered until released from the hospital for 48 hours and added as a dependent |
| Cardiac procedures | Expenses for coronary artery angioplasty, cardiac surgery, or ICD are not covered unless in a medical emergency and pre-approved |
| Experimental treatments | Experimental treatments or surgeries are not covered |
| Criminal acts | Expenses resulting from criminal or illegal acts are not covered |
| Drug/alcohol abuse | Expenses from sickness, injury, or death caused by drug, alcohol abuse, or misuse of medication are not covered |
| Motor vehicle accidents | Expenses from motor vehicle accidents are not covered unless not covered by other insurance |
| High-risk activities | Expenses resulting from professional sports, speed contests, or extreme sports are not covered |
| Air travel | Expenses from air travel unless as a passenger on a common carrier are not covered |
| Legal violations | Medical treatments or services that contravene Canadian laws are not covered |
| Armed forces and risky activities | Expenses resulting from service in armed forces or willful exposure to peril are not covered |
| Out-of-Canada services | Medical treatment outside Canada, except under specific policy sections, is not covered |
| Nuclear or radioactive exposure | Expenses from nuclear reactions or radioactive contamination with pre-existing risk are not covered |
| War and terrorism | Expenses resulting from war, terrorism, or foreign rebellion are not covered |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GMS offer automatic coverage extensions?
Yes, GMS includes automatic coverage extensions under specific circumstances. If you are hospitalized on your policy’s expiry date, your coverage will extend for your hospitalization and up to 72 hours post-discharge. Additionally, if delays occur due to common carriers, severe weather, or mechanical issues, coverage may be extended for 72 hours with documented proof of the delay’s cause.
Can I get family coverage with GMS?
Yes, GMS offers family coverage under their Visitor to Canada plans, which includes you, your spouse, and dependent children. The premium is based on the age of the oldest family member, providing a flexible option for families travelling together.
What is the maximum duration of coverage for GMS’s visitor insurance policy?
GMS’s Visitor to Canada insurance covers up to 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year). If you need coverage beyond your policy’s expiry, you can purchase a new policy, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Does GMS cover travel outside Canada?
Yes, GMS provides coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred while traveling outside Canada, as long as it is within the coverage period of your policy. This benefit is valuable for those needing medical assistance abroad.
Is there a waiting period for GMS’s visitor medical insurance?
Yes, GMS has a 2-day waiting period if the policy is bought within 30 days of arrival in Canada; and a 7-day waiting period for when the policy is bought after 31 days.
Can I pay monthly for my GMS visitor health insurance?
No, you cannot pay monthly for your GMS visitor health insurance. There is only a one time lump sum payment option.
- GMS provides up to $150,000 in emergency medical coverage, including hospital stays, diagnostic services, and ambulance transport
- Coverage is available for pre-existing conditions, but only if they’ve been stable for at least 180 days prior to the policy’s effective date
- The policy has strict eligibility rules based on age and medical history, especially for those over 55 years of age
- GMS doesn’t cover elective treatments, services in the traveller’s home country, and certain high-risk activities
