Can You Use Provincial Health Insurance While Travelling?

Many Canadians believe their provincial health coverage travels with them. While there is limited support within Canada, the protection falls off sharply once you cross international borders. Even inside Canada, out-of-pocket costs can arise if you're not aware of the rules.

This becomes important any time you visit another province or take a trip abroad. You might think about this the next time you book a flight, drive to another province, or plan a vacation in the United States.

What’s Covered Within Canada

Your provincial health insurance does follow you when travelling inside Canada, but only to a degree. The government will pay for essential medical services if they are provided in a publicly funded facility. This typically includes:

Emergency hospital services including inpatient stays
Doctor visits when seen in public hospitals or approved walk-in clinics
Basic diagnostic tests that are medically required during emergency treatment

However, your home province only reimburses the amount it would normally pay for the same service at home. If the host province charges more, you must pay the difference. Also, some services like ambulance transport or prescription drugs may not be covered outside your province.

Tip: Bring your provincial health card with you when travelling domestically. Without it, you may be charged upfront or denied service.

What Happens When You Travel Internationally

Once you leave Canada, your provincial coverage provides very little help. Some plans, like Ontario’s OHIP, may pay up to $50 per day for hospital stays abroad—but that is a fraction of what treatment actually costs.

For example:

A single night in a U.S. hospital can exceed $10,000
Emergency surgery or ambulance transport may cost tens of thousands of dollars
Provincial plans do not cover emergency air evacuation or repatriation

Caution: Many travelers are surprised to learn that travel outside Canada is considered a personal risk. You are responsible for arranging your own coverage unless your private travel insurance states otherwise.

Why You Still Need Emergency Medical Travel Insurance

Even a short trip outside the country can expose you to serious financial risk. Travel insurance bridges the gap left by your provincial plan and often includes:

Hospital and doctor costs abroad
Air ambulance or medical evacuation
Prescription medication
Coverage for sudden illness or accidental injury

Without it, your provincial plan offers minimal protection and you could face massive out-of-pocket expenses.

What Your Provincial Plan Does and Doesn’t Cover

Scenario	Provincial Coverage?
Emergency hospital visit in another province	Yes, but only at provincial rates
Doctor visit in the U.S.	No
Air ambulance from Mexico to Canada	No
Out-of-pocket medication abroad	No