In january 2024, Alice john traveled from india to Brampton, Ontario, on a six-month super visa, which permits parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens to remain for extended periods. Joseph Christy, her son, was ecstatic to have his mother present when she visited him. But soon after arriving, Alice was having trouble breathing, according to CTV News.
Alice required ventilator assistance during her three-week hospital stay.
Manulife had sold the family a basic super visa travel insurance policy that covered up to $100,000. However, the claim was rejected because of her pre-existing condition after John's treatment.
According to Christy, this was a total surprise. "The term congestive heart failure was never in any of her prescriptions going back three years."
The family was informed that they would be responsible for paying the entire $96,311 cost of John's hospital stay when the claim was rejected.
Christy remarked, "We felt let down and really disappointed."
A medical questionnaire is not included in the basic insurance policy that the family has chosen. Pre-existing condition inquiries are usually made only when a patient needs medical attention.
The family insisted that there had been an oversight and that they were not aware of any heart conditions in John's medical background.
After CTV news contacted Manulife for a statement, they chose to further investigate the situation, even though the claim was first rejected. Alice and her family won't have to pay more than ₹57 lakh out of pocket because they have finally agreed to pay the claim.
"Unusual circumstances may arise where the contract and the interpretation of the medical information diverge. We've investigated further and, considering the situation, we will cover the claim," a Manulife representative stated. "We've notified the relevant parties and are now initiating the payment process."
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