People and Culture

Travel Coverage

 

Benefits coverage when travelling

Travel coverage is applicable to employees (in certain employee groups) who are enrolled in Dalhousie University’s health plan. For clarification, please refer to your benefit package. Travel coverage is applicable to all eligible dependants listed under your health coverage with Dalhousie University.

Change to Travel Insurance Provider effective April 1

Dalhousie University is changing its emergency medical travel insurance provider from Beneva (formerly SSQ Insurance) to Medavie Blue Cross, effective April 1, 2026.

  • Claims incurred on or before March 31, 2026, will continue to be covered by Beneva/SSQ.
  • Claims incurred on or after April 1, 2026 will be covered by Medavie Blue Cross.

Updated Medavie Blue Coss travel coverage booklets will be posted on this page when they become available. In the meantime, you can review more details about the transition and new flight delay services:

If you experience a medical emergency while travelling after April 1, 2026, contact Medavie Blue Cross’ Worldwide Travel Assistance, CanAssistance, immediately:

  • 1-800-563-4444 (toll free from Canada and the U.S.) 
  • 1-506-854-2222 (collect from outside Canada/U.S.) 

Members should contact CANAssistance as soon as possible and before seeking treatment whenever feasible, to ensure services are coordinated and eligible.

Travel Coverage - Transition FAQs

  • Will I receive a new travel card from Medavie Blue Cross? Yes. If you are enrolled in travel coverage, you will receive an updated Medavie Blue Cross member card in the mail. Digital ID cards will also be available through the Medavie Mobile App or Member Services Site starting April 1, 2026. 
  • Is my policy number or member ID changing? The same Medavie Blue Cross policy number and member ID you currently use to submit health claims will now be used to submit travel claims.
  • Is coverage changing? There is no reduction to your existing travel coverage. You may notice some coverage enhancements, such as flight delays services for eligible, pre-registered flights. Pre-travel consultations are also now available. 

International Travel

When travelling employees should note there are exclusions that apply under the benefit policies pertaining to war, civil commotion, riot and insurrection. For information regarding these exclusions please contact Employee Benefits.

Visit Travel Notices, the Government of Canada’s official source of travel information and advice to help you make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. 

International Travel Framework

Employees are advised to review the International Travel Framework [login required], which includes important information about the university's International Travel Policy and details about Dalhousie's partnership with International SOS that provides 24/7 guidance and support to faculty, staff, and students before and during international travel. If you have questions about the policy or International SOS, please contact Karin McLay, Office of Vice President, Strategic Engagement, karin.mclay@dal.ca. 

Travelling Out of Country for more than 180 days

If you plan to travel outside of Canada for more than 180 days, you are required to contact Nova Scotia MSI because you may be eligible for an extension of MSI coverage. Please contact benefits@dal.ca if your MSI coverage ends as your participation in the group health and dental plan is dependant on having active provincial health coverage.

Please note: travel coverage is limited to the first 180 days of a trip. If you are taking an approved Sabbatical leave out of country for a period of more than 180 days, please contact benefits@dal.ca as a travel coverage extension may be possible but more information will be required before this can be determined. Travel extensions are not possible in other situations.