Federal Retirees and its travel insurance partner, MEDOC, would like to share this information about repatriation in the event of a death while traveling.
Recently, a member of the National Association of Federal Retirees experienced the tragic loss of her spouse while traveling. While this is an extraordinarily rare event, the member asked us to work with the MEDOC team at Johnson Insurance to develop this information so others might be spared the need to research at such an emotional time. She also asked us to remind everyone of the importance of learning CPR as it could very well save the life of a loved one or even a stranger.
21 January 2024
Repatriation of a Deceased Person
Public Service Healthcare Plan (PSHCP)
In the event of death, the coordinators will arrange for the return of a deceased family member to your province of residence, reimbursing up to a maximum of $3,000 towards the cost of the preparation and transportation of the deceased.
Additional Information
Claims
All claims are administered by Canada Life and should be submitted either:
Online at
General: assist@pshcp-msh.ca
To submit a claim: claim@pshcp-msh.ca
Or by mail
To submit a claim by mail, download a paper claim form from the MSH PSHCP Member Portal or contact the MSH PSHCP Member Contact Centre to ask that one be mailed to you. Completed claim forms should be sent to:
MSH International (Canada) Ltd
PO Box 4903 STN A
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5W 0B1
24-Hour Help Line
If emergency assistance is needed, a 24-hour help line is available. Multilingual coordinators can access a worldwide network of professionals who offer help with medical, legal, or other travel-related emergencies. Call the 24-hour toll-free number:
- 1-833-774-2700 in North America (toll-free)
- or call collect 1-365-337-7427 in all other countries.
Email Addresses
General: assist@pshcp-msh.ca
To submit a claim: claim@pshcp-msh.ca
Note: When applying for reimbursements claimant’s may be asked to pay costs to be reimbursed once their claim is filed after they have returned home, this is a common practice in the Insurance Industry.
MEDOC Travel Insurance
MEDOC Travel Insurance is available to National Association of Federal Retirees (Federal Retirees) members through Johnson Inc. (Johnson). This insurance provides up to a maximum amount of $15,000, for the cost of preparation and transportation of the deceased insured person to their province, in the event of death due to sickness and/or injury. In the case of cremation and/or burial at the place of death, this benefit is limited to a maximum amount of $5,000. The cost of the casket or urn is not covered by this benefit.
- This benefit can apply to expenses:
exceeding the maximum amount payable by the PSHCP, or - incurred on a trip in excess of 40 days outside your province or territory of residence, when your MEDOC Travel Insurance has been purchased to cover the longer trip.
In addition, for members also insured under PSHCP, MEDOC Travel Insurance includes a benefit of up to $150,000 in the event you die or are dismembered due to a Flight Accident, or up to $50,000 for Accidental Death and Dismemberment due to an injury (other than a flight accident).
Claims
The MEDOC Claims Assistance Centre is administered by Global Excel Management Inc. (GEM). Claims should be submitted either:
Online at
Emergency assistance: assistance@globalexcel.com
General: info@globalexcel.com
Or by mail
To submit a claim by mail, download a paper claim form from www.globalexcelservices.com or contact Global Excel to ask that one be mailed to you. Completed claim forms should be sent to:
Global Excel Management Inc.
73 Queen St.
Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 0C9
24-Hour Help Line
If emergency assistance is needed, a 24-hour help line is available. Multilingual coordinators can access a worldwide network of professionals who offer help with medical, legal, or other travel-related emergencies. Call the 24-hour toll-free number:
From Canada and the United States, call TOLL FREE 1.800.709.3420
From Mexico, call TOLL FREE 800.514.7983
From anywhere else in the world, call COLLECT + 819.566.1002
Email Addresses
Emergency assistance: assistance@globalexcel.com
General: info@globalexcel.com
Additional Information
- Some services may require you to make payment up-front. If you are required to make payment up-front, you must obtain detailed and itemized original bills for claims submission and call the MEDOC Claims Assistance Centre on your return home.
- While Johnson is a preferred partner of Federal Retirees, MEDOC Travel Insurance is a private plan, and not administered by either the PSHCP or Federal Retirees.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Johnson direct at:
Toll free: 1 (866) 606-3362
Collect: (709) 737-6065
Email: travelinsurance@johnson.ca
Other Assistance Available
It’s understood that a person going through this type of emergency may not have access to the internet or experience language barriers, here therefore are some tips that will help in their time of need:
Canadian Consular Services
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/consular/canadian-consular-services-charter#assisting
24-Hour Help is Available
From outside Canada
- Call the nearest embassy or consulate.
- +1 613 996 8885 (call collect where available)
- Toll-free numbers in some countries
Final note
It can’t be emphasized enough that every traveler should keep a list of all pertinent information such as this document with them in a secure place (in possibly 2 or 3 areas), for easy access during their emergency.