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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. This is because all of the provinces and territories, except Quebec, signed an ‘Inter-provincial Billing Agreement,’ in which the host province agrees to cover the cost of any medically necessary service provided, and then bill the home province for reimbursement.

Understanding your coverage out of province can help you make sure you don’t pay unnecessary expenses.

What is and isn’t covered out of province?
What should I bring when travelling within Canada?
Where can I find specific information about my province or territory?

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. This means that 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 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 does not have the inter-provincial billing agreement, you will likely be charged up front 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, so you may want to contact them for more information. Because the cost of medical services varies in each province, you may have to pay the difference in cost. 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 up front 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 have your health card with you at all times when you are travelling, as you will need to show it. Your health card is your proof that you are insured with a provincial plan. If you don’t show your card, the doctor’s office may ask you to pay up front 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 travelling within Canada:

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Newfoundland and Labrador
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut (see section 4.2)
Ontario
Prince Edward Island (requires Adobe Reader - see page 4)
Quebec
Saskatchewan (requires Adobe Reader)
Yukon

For more information on out-of-province coverage, contact your provincial or territorial ministry of health.

Key Websites:

• Health Canada: Travel Health – FAQs

Related Articles:

• Health Services: What’s covered in Canada?
• Contemplating Medical Tourism? Weigh your options wisely

References