Traveling with Pre-Existing Conditions: A Canadian Senior’s Guide

With the holiday season right around the corner, many people are starting to put together their travel plans. But between purchasing plane tickets and making sure you pack the right clothes, there's one other important thing to keep in mind: your health.

For Canadian seniors traveling with pre-existing medical conditions, the excitement of the season can come with added stress. Changes in routine, rich holiday foods, crowded airports, rapid temperature changes, and unfamiliar environments can all make it harder to manage ongoing health concerns.

But having a pre-existing condition doesn't mean you have to stay home for the holidays. It just means you need to make some careful preparations. In this guide, we'll go over everything those with pre-existing medical conditions should consider before and during holiday travel, including the importance of factoring any pre-existing condition into travel insurance planning.

Understanding What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition

A pre-existing medical condition typically refers to a health condition, injury, or symptom(s) that exists before the application and/or start date of your travel insurance policy. This can include a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and symptoms of undiagnosed medical conditions. Here are a few of the more common conditions that tend to qualify as pre-existing:

Heart disease or hypertension
Diabetes
Asthma or COPD
Cancer
Autoimmune disorders
Chronic pain conditions
Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety
Neurological conditions
Recent surgeries
Pregnancy (depending on stage)

When traveling, pre-existing conditions matter for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's always important to plan your trip with your condition in mind (for example, ensuring you pack the right medication). Second, travel insurance policies—which are essential if you are travelling outside your province—may require you to disclose any pre-existing conditions you have when you apply for the policy and many insurance policies have an exclusion for pre-existing conditions if they have not been stable for a certain period of time that is outlines in the policy before medical expenses related to them will be covered.

Why Extra Preparation Matters During the Holiday Season

Traveling during the holiday season isn’t quite the same as traveling at any other time of the year. Between the weather, the crowds, and the activities associated with the season, there are a lot of unique factors at play.

Just the time of year alone can create some challenges. November through January is peak flu season, and the cold temperatures can also aggravate many conditions.

The holidays also tend to come with a lot of temporary lifestyle changes. When traveling for the holidays, you're likely to be eating different foods and following a different sleep schedule than what you are used to. Add in the extra stress that the holidays often bring, and it's a recipe for triggering pre-existing conditions.

The key is anticipating where your condition may be triggered and planning ahead, so you can celebrate without compromising your health.

How to Prepare for Travel with a Pre-Existing Condition

As you go about planning your holiday trip, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider Well Before Departure

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, your first travel planning step should be a conversation with your doctor — ideally at least four weeks before your trip. This allows time for any testing, prescription updates, or documentation you may need.

There are a variety of things you may want to discuss with your provider, depending on your condition and travel plans. Start by confirming that you are medically fit for the trip, then discuss the best ways for managing your symptoms while traveling. If you plan to fly, be sure to tell your doctor, as the change in altitude could have an impact on your condition. It will be very beneficial to review your travel insurance policy with your physician to ensure that you are still eligible for the plan and that your medical condition has been stable long enough to be covered.

Other questions to ask or topics you may want to bring up include:

Recommended vaccines
Dietary concerns
Whether you need medication changes before you leave
Whether you should carry a medical note explaining your condition and medication
What to do if symptoms worsen while you are away

After a thorough conversation with your healthcare provider, you'll have a much clearer roadmap for a safe and healthy trip.

Packing Medications: Plan for More Than You Need

The holidays often bring unpredictable travel delays, so it’s wise to pack more medication than your itinerary requires. It's generally recommended to pack enough for at least one extra week.

When flying with medication, be sure to store it in your carry-on luggage rather than your checked bags. Checked bags have a much higher chance of getting lost in transit, and you don't want to risk losing your medication due to an airline's mistake. If your meds require refrigeration, research the accommodations provided by your airport and airline for temperature-sensitive medication. Also, keep in mind that you may need a doctor's note if you are flying syringes, inhalers, or liquids over standard airport limits.

Once you arrive at your destination, it's a good idea to set an alarm on your phone as a reminder to take your medication; travelling and holiday activities can mess with your routine and make it easy to forget. Using a pill organizer can help as well.

Be Mindful of Holiday Meals and Alcohol

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the food, but festive meals can sometimes be hard on medical conditions. Large feasts, excess salt, sugar, and alcohol can contribute to blood pressure spikes, glucose fluctuations, digestive issues, or interactions with medications.

You don’t have to skip the celebrations to stay healthy. Instead:

Eat smaller portions and stick to foods you know are safe
Limit alcohol, and be cautious about combining it with medication
If you’re diabetic, track your glucose more frequently during the holidays
Ask your host ahead of time about ingredients; most people are happy to accommodate
If you follow a strict diet (low-salt, gluten-free, etc.), pack safe snacks just in case

Have a Plan for Emergencies

A holiday getaway is meant to be relaxing, but unexpected situations can happen, and being prepared can make the difference between a mild inconvenience and a true emergency.

Before leaving home, print or save a digital copy of your travel insurance policy number and policy details that include the travel assistance numbers you should call in case you need assistance. Take time to note the locations of hospitals, walk-in clinics, and pharmacies near where you’re staying. If you’re traveling abroad, learn the local emergency number and consider carrying a translation card or digital document explaining your condition and medication in the language of the destination.

Carrying a printed medical summary in your wallet or day bag can be helpful if you require urgent care. If you live with a condition in which symptoms might prevent you from communicating, a medical alert bracelet may be worth considering.

These steps take only a little effort but can provide tremendous reassurance for you and for your loved ones.

Traveling with Medical Devices

If you rely on a medical device such as a CPAP machine, it’s important to understand how travel may affect its use.

Airlines have specific guidelines for screening and transporting medical devices, and many allow passengers to board early or access electrical outlets when needed. However, these accommodations usually have to be requested in advance.

If your device uses batteries, consider bringing backups in case of power outages or delays. For international travel, make sure you have the correct plug adapters or voltage converters needed for the country where you'll be staying.

Staying Healthy While Away

Preparing ahead of time is important, but it's also important to continue looking after your health after you reach your destination. Be sure to:

Stick to your medication schedule
Stay hydrated (winter air and holiday drinks can cause dehydration)
Dress warmly and protect yourself from extreme cold
Take breaks if you need them, especially during long celebrations
Monitor your symptoms and don’t ignore warning signs
If your condition is stress-sensitive, build quiet time into your itinerary

Holiday excitement can make it tempting to push your limits, but stepping out of a late-night event or taking a quiet break when your body asks for one is perfectly acceptable. Listening to the early signs of fatigue or discomfort will help you fully enjoy the rest of the trip.

Why Pre-Existing Condition Travel Insurance Matters

Many Canadians are surprised to learn that their provincial health coverage does not cover all emergency medical costs when traveling outside their home province. And when you are traveling outside of Canada, coverage is even more limited.

Without travel insurance, an unexpected health issue can be financially devastating. Thankfully, there are plenty of travel insurance options available to Canadians, including those with pre-existing medical conditions.

When applying for travel insurance as someone with a pre-existing condition, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

Choose a policy that includes pre-existing condition coverage
Understand stability periods (the required length of time your condition must be unchanged to qualify for coverage)
Disclose your medical conditions honestly and accurately
Ask questions if anything in the policy wording isn’t clear

Do your research when choosing a travel insurance policy, and you can choose one that will provide complete peace of mind that any expenses related to your pre-existing condition will be covered.

Frequently Asked Questions: Travel Insurance for Canadian Seniors with Pre Existing Medical Conditions

What is a pre-existing condition?

It is a disease, illness, or injury including symptoms of undiagnosed conditions that you were aware of prior to your departure date, booking date of your trip, or the purchase date of your plan depending on the product you have purchased. A pre-existing condition can impact your coverage including the premium you have to pay, being eligible for a policy, and/or exclusion from coverage due to a stability period clause.

What is a stability period?

The stability period will be outlined in the pre-existing medical conditions exclusion section of the policy. This period will determine whether or not a pre-existing condition is stable enough to be covered. A stability period can range differently by insurance carrier.

How do I know if my pre-existing condition is considered “stable” and can be covered by travel insurance?

Your policy will define what “stable” means. We suggest for you to review the terms and conditions along with the definitions of your insurance policy.

If my condition changes before I leave, does it affect my coverage?

Yes, any change in your medical condition before your departure may affect your travel insurance coverage.

If your condition changes in any way before you leave—such as a new prescription, a dosage adjustment (outside of the exceptions), or if you developed a new medical condition, have undiagnosed or new symptoms—it may be considered unstable, and coverage for that condition could be excluded or eligibility for the plan could change if that condition was listed in the medical eligibility criteria.

What is the required duration of stability for my pre-existing condition?

The required stability period for pre-existing conditions depends on the specific insurance product you have or are applying for. Depending on the insurance provider and the type of plan, stability periods can vary. To determine the exact requirement of stability, please always refer to policy documents or contact an insurance provider directly.

Why purchase travel insurance if my pre-existing condition is excluded from coverage?

Even if your pre-existing condition is excluded, travel insurance still provides valuable protection for many unexpected events that can occur while you're away from home. Here’s why it’s still worth having:

Emergency Medical Coverage - you’re still covered for new, unforeseen medical emergencies that are not related to your pre-existing condition.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption (TCI) - if you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to reasons like illness (unrelated to your condition), family emergencies, or natural disasters, travel insurance can help recover non-refundable costs. However, it’s important to note that unstable pre-existing conditions can also affect TCI coverage, as this benefit typically has its own stability period requirement.
Lost or Delayed Baggage - coverage for lost, stolen, or delayed luggage can help you replace essential items and reduce stress.
Travel Delay & Missed Connections - insurance can reimburse you for additional expenses if your travel is delayed or you miss a connecting flight due to reasons beyond your control.

Additionally, some insurance companies offer riders that may provide coverage for unstable pre-existing conditions. If this is something you’re interested in, it’s worth exploring those options to find the best fit for your needs.

While coverage for your pre-existing condition may be limited, travel insurance still offers peace of mind and financial protection for many other risks.

Are there any special information for Canadian seniors with pre-existing medical conditions that they need to take into consideration?

It is essential to carefully review the insurance policy, especially the defined terms, to fully understand what is and isn’t covered. All pre-existing conditions must be disclosed during the application process. This ensures the coverage is accurate and complications can be avoided during claims. It is also recommended to contact the insurance provider for policy-specific questions, or a broker for guidance on coverage options.

Final Thoughts

Living with a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t mean sacrificing the magic of the holidays. It just requires a little extra preparation and planning.

At GMS, we offer a range of affordable travel insurance policies, including policies that provide comprehensive coverage to Canadians with pre-existing medical conditions.