Canadians visiting Cuba need travel health insurance
The Canadian Press
Updated: Wed. May. 5 2010 7:25 PM ET
HAVANA, Cuba — Canadians and other foreigners travelling to Cuba now need to hold travel insurance approved by island authorities before they can enjoy their time in the sun.
Those without coverage will have to buy a local policy that can cost up to $3 a day. The new law took effect Saturday and requires travellers who can't show they have authorized insurance to buy a policy from state-run Cubatur before being allowed into the country.
The measure was made law in February, but there had been no mention of how it would be implemented.
A record 2.4 million foreigners came to Cuba last year, with Canada the largest source, followed by Britain, Spain, Italy and France.
Like Cuba, all of these countries provide their citizens with health care financed totally by taxes, and often reimburse the cost of care during overseas travel.
Still, the department of foreign affairs in Ottawa is recommending its citizens visiting Cuba purchase supplemental health insurance.
The department's travel advisory says Canadians' "provincial plan may cover only part of the costs and will not pay the bill upfront, as required."
But at least one Canadian travel agent doesn't think the new regulation will hurt sun-seekers heading south.
"We're not anticipating a big backlash, largely because we would always recommend someone get traveller's insurance anyway," Allison Wallace, communications manager for Flight Centre Canada said on Monday.
"(Travellers) can get it in their country of origin and if they don't get it before they leave, they have to get it at their point of entry."
Wallace said insurance for a one-week stay in Cuba would generally range from $40 to $100 depending on the package traveller invests in.
"The fact that it's actually required sends a little flag up in a client's brain who normally wouldn't buy (insurance)," she said. "But it's really a minimal requirement."
Wallace added that trips to Cuba are still value for money, despite the added insurance requirement.
She said travel agents will have a better idea of how travellers are reacting to the new rule come the fall, when peak season for travel to Cuba approaches.
State-run insurance provider Cubatur said kiosks selling health insurance have been established in international airports across Cuba. They accept U.S. or Canadian dollars, euros, British pounds and Swiss francs - though all prices are set in Cuban convertible pesos, pegged at US$1.08.
A policy covering medical expenses up to 7,000 pesos, or $7,560, costs between 2 and 3 pesos ($2.16-$3.24) a day, depending on an array of factors.
Travellers 70 years or older or those planning to engage in high-risk activities will have to pay an unspecified additional premium.
Cuba has said it will accept state or private insurance from any country except the United States, given Washington's 48-year trade embargo.
Cubatur said all foreigners - except diplomats and those who live here while working for overseas companies - would be required to show proof of insurance.
© 2010 All Rights Reserved.
Well, this is such a great news. The Canadian government will have to support this very good purpose of its people. Cuba needs some help for their different projects to make their country more improved.
Just got back from varadero and this insurance thing for tourists is a bunch of crock ;on the way in through customs and imigration at no time does the questions arise about having medical insurance .
I think this is something invented by the travel companies to sell expensive canadian insurance .
As a matter of fact insurance can be had in cuba through assisture for half the money albeit not as good of a coverage .
besides o.hi.p. provides 400.00 a day for inpatient care and 50.00 aday for outpatient care for each case . at least this is better than nothing in most cases .
(Jun 10, 2010 03:31 PM)new frodo Wrote: [ -> ]Just got back from varadero and this insurance thing for tourists is a bunch of crock ;on the way in through customs and imigration at no time does the questions arise about having medical insurance .
I think this is something invented by the travel companies to sell expensive canadian insurance .
As a matter of fact insurance can be had in cuba through assisture for half the money albeit not as good of a coverage .
besides o.hi.p. provides 400.00 a day for inpatient care and 50.00 aday for outpatient care for each case . at least this is better than nothing in most cases .
I was asked for proof of insurance a couple of weeks ago at Manzanillo airport by Immigration, arriving from Toronto. I stay on an A2 visa and this might have been the reason.
From the Cuba Embassy to Canada website:
http://embacu.cubaminrex.cu/Default.aspx?tabid=17941
It is really great news that any foreigners visiting to Cuba required travel health insurance. There are two advantages from it:
(1) Every person get the health insurance during the travelling and assure about their coverage.
(2) Cuba can increase in the total revenue of the income.
(Jun 11, 2010 12:51 PM)smithshn Wrote: [ -> ]It is really great news that any foreigners visiting to Cuba required travel health insurance. There are two advantages from it:
(1) Every person get the health insurance during the travelling and assure about their coverage.
(2) Cuba can increase in the total revenue of the income.
Stop spamming and hire a real translator. You're butchering the English language.
Those traveling air only on a a 2 visa are most likely there for an extended length of time I can see cubas point with insurance ;they dont want to be shafted by the tourists ; I have entered cuba as a "tourist "this year three times and at no time did they "require"me to have proof of medical insurance ; but most are not listining ;Most canadians from any province have provincial "out of province and country insurance coverage go back three threads what I said and if you doubt me go on line yourself and ask for out of contry coverage
Another point " I this cuban rule is aimed at those going there on a a2 visa ;and mostly just cuban americans returning home for a extended visit and they sure as hell know how the cuban medical system works ; and get free medical care ;
Another point " I this cuban rule is aimed at those going there on a a2 visa ;and mostly just cuban americans returning home for a extended visit and they sure as hell know how the cuban medical system works ; and get free medical care ;
It's not a question of being shafted at all. It is a ploy to get more money out of the CAs since they are now allowed unlimited travel. They previously paid cash for any treatment, not free.
Cubans with a PRE are the only ones who get the free medical care.
That is a great news because as for me Cuba needs more help for their different projects to make their country more improved.
I can definately confirm that those applying for an A2 visa are the only ones asked for proof of health care insurance. US health care insurance is not accepted which means the CAs pay. It is simply a money play by the Cuban government to take advantage of the influx of CAs after Obama lifted their restrictions.
I see nothing wrong with requiring visitors to carry health care insurace. I do this wherever I travel and do not see it as a money play at all. What is wrong is specifically targeting A2 visa holders. It was supposed to apply to everyone, that would be perfectly fair.
(Feb 22, 2011 10:13 AM)Pescador Wrote: [ -> ]I see nothing wrong with requiring visitors to carry health care insurace. I do this wherever I travel and do not see it as a money play at all. What is wrong is specifically targeting A2 visa holders. It was supposed to apply to everyone, that would be perfectly fair.
In November they targeted me for the question. Actually took my daughter and I out of line after passport control, back into the reception lobby to get me to show proof of insurance, which my wife had (her card) too. When I told them to take a pick between my standard insurance and my RBC Avion, they took the standard SunLife card as sufficient. The Avion's coverage is as good or better...
I understand the need to insure the diaspora and A-2 family class visitors. I know many Cubans in Canada that get dental work done in Cuba for a song. Same with simple medical procedures. Despite the patient paying for it direct to the care giver, the state sees nothing from this other than the loss of precious and costly resources. So why not charge?
(Feb 22, 2011 10:13 AM)Pescador Wrote: [ -> ]I see nothing wrong with requiring visitors to carry health care insurace. I do this wherever I travel and do not see it as a money play at all. What is wrong is specifically targeting A2 visa holders. It was supposed to apply to everyone, that would be perfectly fair.
Can you name one other country that requires this? Why not?
The point is it is not an internationally accepted policy and only was put in affect to milk more money from the CAs who already provide a large portion of the cash the regime needs.
They are not the only ones obtaining black market medical services from that country.
What makes you think that this black market will cease by charging a medical fee? It is up to Cuba to deal with this illegal activity. They are doing so and it is no longer so easy to obtain these services as it used to be. It is a serious offence and those involved are subject to long jail terms and their credentials are stripped from them. I see nothing wrong with that. Cuba is within their rights to obtain the revenue from their investment in training medical practioners.
Maybe they should also start paying these people more than a tourist worker for the years of effort they have put into studying for their profession. Right now they are among the poorest in that country. Some doctors can not even afford a bicycle.
There is more to this story that you see on the surface.
Well, it is not internationally accepted to charge visitors an "inspection fee" when they enter another country either. Especially when visitors provide a huge economic input that the country needs. Ahem.. usa... cough.
If Cuba has a problem with foreign visitors making use of their health care system, they are within their rights to take action. If I go to another country and make use of the medical system there, I expect to pay for it. That's why I carry good insurance. In an economy such as Cuba's it makes sense to require medical insurance 'because' of the extensive black market you point out. Better enforcement would be effective but costly and I'm quite sure you would rail against that idea anyway. They know the black market exists, this is their way of essentially charging a user fee and turning a blind eye.
It's pretty obvious that Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals should be better paid. I doubt you will find anyone here who disagrees. But that's a separate argument.
(Feb 22, 2011 09:20 PM)Pescador Wrote: [ -> ]Well, it is not internationally accepted to charge visitors an "inspection fee" when they enter another country either. Especially when visitors provide a huge economic input that the country needs. Ahem.. usa... cough.
If Cuba has a problem with foreign visitors making use of their health care system, they are within their rights to take action. If I go to another country and make use of the medical system there, I expect to pay for it. That's why I carry good insurance. In an economy such as Cuba's it makes sense to require medical insurance 'because' of the extensive black market you point out. Better enforcement would be effective but costly and I'm quite sure you would rail against that idea anyway. They know the black market exists, this is their way of essentially charging a user fee and turning a blind eye.
It's pretty obvious that Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals should be better paid. I doubt you will find anyone here who disagrees. But that's a separate argument.
As I said, the CAs are not the only ones using black market medical care. Why are they singled out over the much larger flow of AI tourists?
What about non-AI tourists who receive black market services. There are a lot of them who come for that reason.
No matter what country you are in, you have to pay for medical service by insurance or by cash. That is common knowledge.
If they paid the medical people enough, they would not be involved in the black market. That is part of the issue, not separate.
When someone disputes your posts, you have to respond with words like "railing". It is a sign of a weak position.