Holiday Travel and Health Coverage Reminders

Why HR teams should address travel before it starts

As the holidays approach, employees begin filing leave, booking trips, and planning time away from work. For HR teams, this period often brings a familiar pattern. Questions arrive late. Emergencies happen away from home. Coverage details suddenly matter more than they did all year.

Most issues do not come from lack of coverage. They come from lack of awareness. Employees forget what applies outside their usual city or clinic. When something goes wrong during travel, uncertainty adds pressure to an already stressful situation.

A short reminder before the holidays can prevent that.

What usually goes wrong during holiday travel

HR teams tend to hear the same concerns each year. An employee gets sick in another province. A dependent needs urgent care while on a family trip. Someone visits a hospital that turns out to be out of network.

Common problems include:
• Employees not knowing which hospitals are accredited at their destination
• Delays because contact numbers were not saved
• Confusion around emergency coverage versus planned care
• Reimbursement questions raised after treatment already happened

These situations often happen when HR is unavailable or on leave, which makes preparation even more important.

What employees actually need to know before they travel

You do not need a long policy explanation. Employees need clear, usable information.

Before the holidays, remind employees to:
• Check accredited hospitals and clinics near their destination
• Save HMO emergency contact details on their phone
• Understand what to do if no accredited facility is available
• Keep their HMO details accessible while traveling

This guidance helps employees act quickly instead of guessing when something happens.

How Purple Cow supports employees beyond their home base

Purple Cow plans are designed for real movement, not fixed locations. With nationwide coverage and partner networks, employees can access care in many areas across the country. This matters during holidays, when travel patterns change.

When employees need care outside accredited facilities, reimbursement options help ensure treatment is still possible. Clear support channels and digital access also reduce confusion at the point of need. These features matter most during urgent situations, not during orientation sessions.

Why this helps HR and the business

Prepared employees make better decisions. They seek care sooner. They ask fewer last minute questions. HR teams spend less time resolving avoidable issues after the fact.

For SMEs, this reduces disruption during a period when staffing is already lean. It also reinforces that employee health coverage remains active and relevant, even when people are away from work.

A simple reminder signals responsibility and care. It also protects the business by reducing risk and confusion.

Talk to Purple Cow

Support your employees wherever they travel. You can get a quote and explore SME friendly coverage options through Purple Cow.