Leaving Ontario? Your Health Card Doesn't Cover What You Think It Does |
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Most of us only think about travel insurance when we're heading to Florida, Mexico, or Europe. But if you're driving to Quebec City, flying to Vancouver, or spending the summer at a cottage in Alberta, you may be just as exposed — and most people don't realize it until they get a bill.
OHIP Follows You, But Only Partway Yes, OHIP provides some coverage when you're outside Ontario but still in Canada. Emergency, medically necessary care from a physician or hospital is generally covered. The problem is what "covered" actually means in practice. |
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- The rates are frozen in the past. OHIP pays out-of-province emergency outpatient care at up to $50/day, and emergency inpatient care at $200–$400/day depending on the level of care. Those numbers haven't kept pace with actual hospital costs. A short stay in an ICU in another province can run well beyond what OHIP will reimburse — and you're on the hook for the difference.
- Billing isn't always automatic. Some provinces bill Ontario directly, so you pay nothing up front. Others don't participate in that system, which means you pay first and wait for OHIP to reimburse you — at Ontario rates, not the rates you were actually charged.
- Some of the most expensive things aren't covered at all. Ambulance transport, air ambulance/medevac, and prescription medications are generally excluded from out-of-province OHIP coverage. An air ambulance alone can cost thousands of dollars.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
A skiing injury in Alberta, a cardiac event while visiting family in Nova Scotia, a car accident on a road trip through Quebec — in every case, OHIP offers a safety net with large holes in it. Travel insurance is what catches you before you hit the ground.
The Simple Rule
Don't ask "am I leaving the country?" Ask "am I leaving Ontario?"
The moment you cross a provincial border, you're relying on decades-old reimbursement caps and a patchwork of billing arrangements you don't control. A travel insurance policy — even a short-term one for a weekend trip — closes that gap for a fraction of what an uninsured claim could cost you.
Our office does not sell travel insurance, but we strongly encourage every client to purchase it whenever they travel — whether that's a weekend away or a trip abroad. Speak with your insurance provider or a licensed travel insurance broker to find a policy that fits your trip and your health situation.
Bottom line: Before your next trip — whether it's Banff or Barcelona — check your coverage, not just your passport.
This article is for general information purposes and does not constitute personalized financial or insurance advice. Speak with your advisor about the coverage that's right for your situation.
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Article written in 2026
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