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How To Travel Internationally While On Long Term Disability
Long term disability benefits provide crucial support for individuals unable to work due to an injury or illness. However, being on disability doesn’t necessarily mean you're confined to your home, and there may be times when you need to travel, even internationally.
Whether you’re handling an emergency, visiting family, or addressing personal matters abroad, travelling while on long term disability may be possible, provided you follow the necessary guidelines to protect your benefits.
This quick and easy-to-understand guide will help you understand how to travel internationally while on long term disability.
Need to know how to travel internationally while on long term disability? Share Lawyers’ experienced team can help you explore your options.
How To Travel Internationally While On Long Term Disability
If you’re unable to work but need to travel, it’s natural to wonder how to travel internationally while on long term disability. It’s crucial to thoroughly understand your specific policy, as each has different travel rules. Failing to adhere to these guidelines could jeopardize your benefits, making it essential to carefully review the details before leaving the country.
There are various essential steps that you should be aware of.
Travelling Internationally While on LTD | |
Policy Restrictions | Many LTD policies include specific restrictions on travel, particularly for trips outside Canada. Short trips (under 2-3 weeks) are often acceptable if a healthcare provider approves. However, longer trips may require pre-approval and could result in suspension or termination of benefits if not cleared by the insurer. |
Get Doctor’s Approval | Doctor approval is typically required before any trips are planned. This ensures that travel won’t negatively impact health, recovery, or treatment, as insurers may review the need for LTD benefits without proper medical clearance. |
International Travel Considerations | Extended travel outside Canada or the U.S. (beyond 2-3 weeks) generally requires pre-approval from insurers, which is only sometimes guaranteed. Policies are often reviewed to determine if benefits will continue during international travel. |
Medical Treatment During Travel | Requirements for ongoing medical treatment and evaluations remain in place during travel. Failure to meet these obligations may result in a suspension or termination of benefits. |
Transparency with Your Insurer | It is essential to maintain honesty and transparency with the insurance company. Open communication about travel plans ensures that there are no misunderstandings, reducing the risk of benefits being interrupted or terminated. |
Be Cautious of Surveillance and Social Media | Insurance companies may monitor social media or use surveillance to discredit claims. Be mindful of what is posted online during your travels, as activities that contradict your medical condition could be used to deny or suspend benefits. |
Travel Insurance | Travel insurance is essential for covering medical expenses abroad. However, most policies exclude coverage for pre-existing or unstable medical conditions, making it necessary to carefully review the fine print to understand what is and isn't covered. |
Example: Megan’s Travels While Receiving LTD Benefits
Megan, a Toronto resident, has been receiving LTD benefits for the past year due to rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic condition causes severe joint pain, making it impossible for her to work as a veterinary technician, and it worsens in cold weather.
On her doctor’s advice, Megan plans to spend a couple of weeks in Mexico, where the warmer climate can help alleviate her symptoms and reduce her pain. However, she needs to ensure her travel complies with her LTD policy to avoid any issues with her benefits.
- LTD Policy Restrictions: Megan reviews her LTD policy, which allows short trips within North America (under 2-3 weeks) with doctor approval. She confirms with her insurer that her two-week trip to Mexico meets these guidelines.
- Doctor’s Approval: Megan’s doctor provides written approval for the trip, confirming that the warmer weather will help her condition and that the travel won't negatively impact her health.
- International Travel Considerations: Because Megan is travelling to Mexico, she checks with her insurer to ensure her benefits won’t be affected. Her insurer confirms that her trip is acceptable, provided she continues her treatment and keeps in touch with her doctor abroad.
- Travel Insurance: Megan looks into travel insurance but discovers that most policies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. She prepares for any out-of-pocket medical expenses while in Mexico.
- Medical Treatment During Travel: Megan schedules telehealth appointments with her doctor during the trip and ensures she has all the necessary medications with her to continue her treatment.
- Transparency with Her Insurer: Before departing, Megan informs her insurer of her travel plans, providing her doctor’s approval and details about her treatment while abroad, ensuring no disruption to her benefits.
- Caution About What She Posts on Social Media: Megan knows that insurance companies may monitor social media and use surveillance to validate claims. To protect her benefits, she is careful about what she posts online. She avoids sharing any photos or activities that could be misinterpreted as inconsistent with her disability, ensuring that her actions align with her medical condition while travelling.
By following these steps, Megan should be able to enjoy her trip to Mexico, manage her arthritis, and keep her LTD benefits intact. However, even when individuals follow all the best practices, this isn't always guaranteed.
Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize expenses, and it's not uncommon for benefits to be denied or terminated over technicalities—especially when travelling abroad. Unfortunately, this happens more frequently than many expect.
If this happens to you or you’re still wondering about travelling internationally while on LTD, contact Share Lawyers. We’ll make sure your rights are protected and that you can secure your benefits,
Turn to Share Lawyers When Facing LTD Challenges
Now that you know how to travel internationally while on long term disability, you know how to best protect your benefits. However, challenges may still arise even if you do everything right. If that happens, Share Lawyers has your back.
Our experienced team of disability lawyers is here to assess your situation and provide a path forward.
“David Share and his team were vital to my being able to travel this past winter with regards to my insurance policy. They did their due diligence so I could leave with some peace of mind, and I couldn't be more grateful. They were attentive, caring, and efficient when our situation was urgent. I would not hesitate to hire Share Lawyers again for any issue.” — Lynne M., Edmonton |
It’s free to talk to us and you’re under no obligation. Ultimately, we’ll help you decide the best path forward, even if it isn’t with us. If we do take your case, you won’t owe us anything until your benefits are secured.
Still wondering how to travel internationally while on long term disability? We’re ready to help.
Contact Share Lawyers today and let our experience work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. Our legal team offers a free consultation and works on a contingency basis - there are no fees unless you win your case.
