Start with the details that matter
Province availability, age eligibility, the 8-part stability test, and waiting-period timing shape whether GMS fits.
Eligibility fit
Age under 80 and province availability come first on a GMS quote.
Medical wording
How the 180-day stability rule and 8-part test affect the case.
Cost and timing
Waiting period timing, refund rules, and lack of AD&D coverage.
GMS Pre-Existing Conditions at a Glance
- Insurer
- GMS Insurance Inc. (Group Medical Services)
- Stability window
- 180 days
- Stability test
- 8-part test (diagnosis, medication, symptoms, pending tests…)
- Eligibility age
- Under 80 on the effective date
- Province note
- Not in Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut
How GMS Handles Pre-Existing Conditions
GMS (Group Medical Services) excludes pre-existing conditions that were not stable for 180 days before the policy's effective date. "Stable" is assessed with an 8-part test covering things like no new diagnosis, no change in medication or dosage, no new or worsening symptoms, and no pending test results or recommended-but-not-yet-completed treatment, among other criteria.
Eligibility also matters: GMS's Visitors to Canada plan generally applies to applicants under age 80 on the effective date, and is not available to residents of Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut. Whether a specific condition counts as stable under the 8-part test depends on the individual history — confirm with our advisor.
What "Stable" Means
Most pre-existing coverage depends on a condition being "stable" for a set window before the trip — generally no new diagnosis, no medication or dosage change, no new or worsening symptoms, no pending tests, and no hospitalization. Our Pre-Existing Conditions Guide explains the full stability test; this page covers how GMS specifically applies it.
What to Confirm With GMS
- Whether your parent's condition has been stable across the full 180-day window under the 8-part test.
- Whether the applicant is under 80 on the effective date and able to meet eligibility criteria.
- Whether your family's province of residence is eligible (not Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut).
- Whether recent medication changes, pending tests, or new symptoms could break stability.
FAQs
GMS may cover a condition that was stable for the 180 days before the effective date, assessed against an 8-part stability test. Conditions that fail any part of the test are excluded.
Information accurate as of August 2024
This page reflects the GMS policy wording available to us as of August 2024 and is provided for general guidance only. Pre-existing condition rules, stability windows, eligibility, and plan wording can change. Confirm current terms with our advisor and review the policy wording before you buy.
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