What your province pays if you get sick abroad
The Government of Canada puts it plainly: "You are likely not covered by your provincial or territorial health plan while travelling. It may cover nothing or at best a very small portion of the costs." It won't pay or lend you money for medical bills abroad either.
| Province | What it pays for emergency care outside Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (OHIP) | Doctors at Ontario rates; up to $50 a day for emergency outpatient care; up to $400 a day for intensive or operating-room care and $200 a day for other hospital care. | Source ↗ |
| British Columbia (MSP) | $75 a day for emergency in-patient hospital care. US hospitals often charge over US$1,000 a day. | Source ↗ |
| Alberta (AHCIP) | Doctors at Alberta rates; $100 a day for in-patient hospital care and $50 a day for outpatient care. | Source ↗ |
| Quebec (RAMQ) | $50 a day for outpatient hospital care and up to $100 a day in hospital; doctors only up to Quebec rates; ambulance not covered. | Source ↗ |
Amounts in Canadian dollars, from each province's official page (checked October 2026). Other provinces and territories have similar limits.
Five things to check in any policy
- The medical limit. For the US, choose a high limit; hospital stays there can cost thousands of dollars a day.
- Pre-existing conditions. Most policies only cover a condition that has been "stable and controlled" for a set period before you leave (often called the stability period). Get it in writing if you're unsure; otherwise a claim can be refused.
- Trip length. Make sure the policy covers every day you're away, including any extension.
- What's left out. Many policies exclude pregnancy-related care, risky sports or trips to countries under a travel advisory. Check the exclusions and the deductible.
- Cancellation. Medical cover doesn't refund a cancelled trip. If you've paid a lot up front, you'll need trip-cancellation insurance as well.
Is your credit card's insurance enough?
Some cards include travel medical cover, but don't assume it. The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association notes that card cover often has a trip-length limit (for example 15 days), age limits, and may require the trip to be paid with that card. Call your card's insurer before you rely on it.
Where to get cover
- Your workplace or credit card plan, if it covers your whole trip and your age.
- A Canadian insurer or your bank's travel plan, especially for long trips, older travellers or anyone with a medical condition. Canadian plans often coordinate claims with your provincial plan.
- A comparison site such as VisitorsCoverage, which shows plans from several insurers at once. Check that the plan accepts Canadian residents.
VisitorsCoverage is a US-based marketplace. When you get a quote, enter your Canadian address and check the plan accepts Canadian residents and covers your whole trip and any medical conditions. For long trips, older travellers or pre-existing conditions, also compare a Canadian insurer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Flight delayed, cancelled or overbooked?
That's not an insurance claim. Under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations and the EU's rules, the airline may owe you compensation. These services file the claim for you and take a share only if they win.
We earn a commission if you use these services, at no extra cost to you. You can also claim from the airline yourself for free; the Canadian Transportation Agency explains how.
Guides for your kind of trip
Common questions
Does OHIP cover me outside Canada?
Only a little. For emergencies, OHIP pays doctors at Ontario rates and up to $50 a day for outpatient care, or up to $200 to $400 a day in hospital. Ontario recommends buying private travel insurance before you leave.
Do I need travel insurance for a short trip?
The Government of Canada recommends travel health insurance for every trip, even a day trip to the United States, because provincial plans pay very little abroad.
What is a stability period?
The length of time a pre-existing medical condition must have been stable, with no new treatment or medication changes, before your trip for the policy to cover it. Each policy sets its own period.
Sources
Checked October 8, 2026. Rules and amounts change, so confirm with your province, insurer or IRCC.
- Ontario.ca: OHIP coverage while outside Canada
- Gov.bc.ca: Leaving B.C. Temporarily
- Alberta.ca: Health care coverage outside Canada
- RAMQ: Health care received outside Canada
- Travel.gc.ca: Travel insurance
- Travel.gc.ca: Travel insurance (safe travel planner)
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Office of Consumer Affairs): Travel
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Insurance
- CLHIA: A guide to travel health insurance (PDF copy)
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Health insurance
- Travel Health Insurance Association (THIA): Uniform definitions
- Travel.gc.ca: Say Yes to Travel Insurance (factsheet)
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