Do I Need Health Insurance to Travel Out of Province?
You can get coverage for an overnight stay in a hospital and a visit to a physician. There are limits to the amount of money your out-of-country health plan will cover. In many cases, you may be charged more for the same treatment in the United States than you would pay in Canada. Many out-of-country health plans don't cover diagnostic tests or laboratory tests. And on Jan. 1, 2020, OHIP's Out-of-Country Travellers Program will no longer exist.
Getting health insurance
Most Canadians don't buy travel health insurance when travelling outside of the country because their health insurance plan will cover unexpected medical costs. But those health plans are limited, and you need to ensure you're covered before you leave the country. Your health insurance plan will only cover hospital and emergency care expenses if medically necessary. Medical practitioners and doctors are covered under the same health insurance plans in Canada.
Cost
When travelling out of the province, it's important to understand the differences in coverage between Ontario and Quebec. For example, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan limits out-of-province hospitalization to $400/day. In contrast, a trip to Florida can cost more than US$75,000, and an air ambulance ride can cost over US$2,000! While you'll still be covered under your provincial plan in Alberta, there are some differences between the two plans.
Benefits
If you are travelling out of the province and are a citizen of Canada, you may be wondering if you need to take your health insurance with you. If you do, there are several reasons you should consider getting coverage on your trip. You'll have peace of mind knowing that if you get sick or injured while you're away from home, you're still covered by your health insurance.
Expenses
Most Canadians assume that their health coverage will cover the costs of unexpected medical expenses while travelling. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Most plans will only cover emergency medical services incurred within Canada. Travel medical insurance is important for any trip out of the province or within Canada. It will pay for medical transportation back home in some cases.
Where to buy
If you're planning to travel outside of your home province, you'll want to purchase additional health insurance for the trip. It's important to remember that medical care costs outside of Canada are significantly higher than within the country, so purchasing additional coverage from a private insurer will protect your investment. If you're only planning on leaving the country for a day or two, you might not need additional coverage, but you'll want to make sure you're covered, regardless of whether you're on an extended health care plan.
