British Columbia's government warns that US hospital costs are "often over $1,000 (US) a day", while B.C. pays $75 (CDN) a day. Canada's travel advice adds that foreign hospitals can be very expensive, may want cash up front, and have been known to refuse patients without adequate insurance.
What your province pays
| 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.
Getting covered for US trips
- Choose a high medical limit. For the US, the higher the better.
- Snowbirds and long stays: check your province's rules on time away. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs notes you may lose provincial coverage if you're away more than about three months, and B.C. asks people away six months or more in a calendar year to contact Health Insurance BC.
- Multi-trip plans can be cheaper if you cross the border several times a year. Check the maximum days per trip.
- Credit card cover often has a trip-length cap and age limits, so check before you rely on it.
- Keep the insurer's emergency number on your phone. Many policies require you to call before treatment, except in an emergency.
Getting covered
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.
Popular US trips from Canada
Common questions
Do I need travel insurance for a day trip to the US?
The Government of Canada recommends it. Provincial plans pay only a small part of emergency costs, and US hospitals can charge over US$1,000 a day.
Does my province cover me in the US?
Only a little. For example, B.C. pays $75 a day for emergency hospital care and Ontario up to $200 to $400 a day, far below typical US hospital costs.
Is credit card travel insurance enough for the US?
Sometimes, but check the trip-length limit, age limits and medical maximum, and whether the trip must be paid with the card.
Sources
Checked October 8, 2026. Rules and amounts change, so confirm with your province, insurer or IRCC.
- Gov.bc.ca: Leaving B.C. Temporarily
- Travel.gc.ca: Travel insurance (safe travel planner)
- Travel.gc.ca: Travel insurance
- Ontario.ca: OHIP coverage while outside Canada
- Alberta.ca: Health care coverage outside Canada
- RAMQ: Health care received outside Canada
- 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)
Get flight deals from your city by email
One short email a week, only when we find a real deal from your city. Every fare is re-checked live before we send it. Free, and you can unsubscribe any time.