IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE COVERED FOR WHEN TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME PROVINCE
This information is from the internet (not verified by NASHA). It is provided to give you some information about Healthcare while travelling, it is not guaranteed to be accurate, and we recommend that you verify it directly with your provincial medical plan.
Travelling within Canada: Your Out-of-Province Health Coverage
If you get sick while travelling within Canada, it’s generally pretty easy to receive immediate medical attention without having to foot the bill. The reason is that all provinces and territories, except Quebec, signed an Interprovincial Billing Agreement under which the host province agrees to cover the cost of any medically necessary service provided and subsequently bill the home province for reimbursement.
That being said, there are specific differences to your coverage when travelling outside your home province. Understanding these differences can help you avoid having to pay unnecessary expenses.
What is and isn’t covered out of province?
In accordance with the Canada Health Act, medically necessary health care services are typically covered when travelling within Canada. In other words, if you become ill or have an accident in another province, your hospital and physician services will likely be covered. However, additional services, such as an ambulance, hospital transfer, or transportation back to your home province, will not be covered. If you have access to private group insurance (e.g., through your employer), check to find out whether you have coverage through your plan. If you want to avoid paying for these services out of pocket, you may want to consider purchasing medical insurance through a private insurance company.
Since Quebec did not sign the interprovincial billing agreement, you will likely be charged upfront for any medical services you receive there. In most cases, you can submit a claim for reimbursement to your own provincial ministry of health when you get home. Keep in mind that your provincial ministry may require specific documentation like receipts for services. You may want to contact your home province for more information. Because the cost of medical services varies in each province, you may have to pay the difference in cost. Although Quebec does not participate in the interprovincial billing agreement, Quebec residents who get sick while visiting another province will likely be covered for hospital and physician services. However, a doctor can ask that you pay upfront for care. It is your responsibility to submit your receipts to the Régie upon returning to Quebec, at which time the Régie will reimburse applicable services at Quebec rates.
What should I bring when travelling within Canada?
You should always have your provincial health card with you when you travel—you will need to show it. Your health card is proof that you are insured under a provincial plan. If you don’t show your card, the doctor’s office may ask you to pay upfront for the services. If this happens, you may still get reimbursed by your province of residence. Just remember to keep an original copy of the receipt and proof of payment in case your province asks for them. All provinces and territories have their own requirements; in some cases, you may have to fill out supporting documents as well.
Where can I find specific information about my province or territory?
Choose your province or territory to determine what sort of coverage you may receive when traveling within Canada:
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut (see section 4.2)
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
For more information on out-of-province coverage, contact your provincial or territorial ministry of health. Or consult Health Canada’s most frequently asked travel health questions.
For more travel health information, click here.
