If you’re a Canadian planning a trip to the United States, you might ask yourself: do I really need travel insurance? It’s a fair question. After all, you’re just going next door, and back home in Canada, you never worry about healthcare costs.
It is important to know that provincial health plans offer minimal protection while you are traveling in the United States. To see why travel insurance is essential for US visits, it helps to examine what your provincial plan actually pays for, where its limitations lie, and how a dedicated travel insurance policy compares.
- Ontario ended out-of-country emergency coverage entirely on January 1, 2020, meaning you won’t get covered while in the US.
- Provinces that still pay reimburse a fixed daily amount in Canadian dollars, generally between $50 and $100 per day, against US hospital costs that can be over thousands of dollars.
- Provincial coverage is reimbursement, not payment. You pay the US hospital first, then file a claim at home and wait.
- Staying outside your province for too long can suspend your coverage completely. Each province sets its own absence limit, which matters most for snowbirds or expats.
- Travel medical insurance is designed to sit in that gap, paying US providers directly rather than reimbursing you months later.
Does Canadian Health Insurance Work in the US?
Here’s what most Canadians don’t realize: your provincial health insurance provides extremely limited coverage when you travel outside Canada. And by limited, we mean it barely scratches the surface of what you risk if something happens while you’re in the United States.
Let’s break down what your provincial plan actually covers:
Does OHIP cover me in the US?
No. As of January 1, 2020, Ontario eliminated its Out-of-Country Travellers Program. OHIP pays nothing toward emergency medical care you receive in the United States, including hospital stays, doctor visits, ambulance transport, and prescriptions. If you are travelling from Ontario, treat yourself as fully uninsured the moment you cross the border.
Does MSP cover me in the US?
Partly. British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan reimburses up to $75 CAD per day for emergency inpatient hospital care outside Canada, plus physician services at BC rates. A single night in a US hospital can run $10,000 to $15,000 USD, which puts MSP’s contribution at well under one percent of the bill.
Does AHCIP cover me in the US?
Partly. The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan reimburses hospital and physician services received outside Canada at Alberta rates, typically up to $100 per day. Because Alberta rates are set for Alberta hospitals, the reimbursement covers a small fraction of a US bill.
Does RAMQ cover me in the US?
Partly. Insurance from Quebec reimburses a fixed daily amount, which covers up to $100 CAD per day for hospital services and $50 CAD per day for outpatient services outside Canada. Still, that amount is small compared to a hospital bill in the US.
Your provincial plan might help with a minor clinic visit if you’re from BC, Alberta, or Quebec (Ontario provides no coverage at all), but for anything serious, you’re essentially uninsured. The large coverage gap between what your province pays and what US hospitals charge is where travel medical insurance saves you from financial setbacks.
What Are the Best Travel Insurance Plans for Canadians Traveling to the US?
Best Affordable Travel Medical Insurance for Canadians Traveling to the US: CoverAmerica-Gold
Best Medical Coverage For Canadian Seniors with Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: INF Elite X
Best Travel Insurance with High Medical Coverage Limits for Canadians Visiting the US: Atlas America Premium
What Can Happen Without Travel Insurance in the US?
Let’s walk through real scenarios that commonly happen to travelers to the US every year.
Scenario 1: A Simple Fall
You’re taking your family to New York for a week-long trip. Everything’s going great. As you’re sight seeing, you slip on ice and suspect you’ve broken your wrist. You head to an emergency room.
Without insurance:
- Emergency room visit: $2,500
- X-rays: $800
- Splint and wrap: $400
- Pain medication: $150
- Follow-up instructions: $200
- Total: $4,050 USD
If it covers anything, your provincial plan might cover $50-$400 of this. Unfortunately, that means you could be paying at least $3,650 out of pocket.
With travel insurance: You pay the deductible amount you chose when you bought your policy, and your insurance covers the rest. Plus, with the help of your insurance’s 24/7 assistance, you were directed to an in-network facility with pre-negotiated rates, potentially saving you money even before insurance kicks in.
Scenario 2: A Snowbird’s Heart Pain
Imagine you’re a 68-year-old Canadian spending winter in Florida. You experience chest pain and call 911.
Typical costs without insurance:
- Ambulance: $3,500
- Emergency room: $8,000
- Cardiac catheterization: $35,000
- Two-night hospital stay: $25,000
- Medications and supplies: $4,000
- Cardiologist fees: $5,500
- Total: $81,000 USD
After provincial reimbursement of approximately $1,000 CAD, you could face $80,000 in medical debt. This level of unexpected expense has forced some Canadians to deplete retirement savings, take loans against their homes, or sell property to pay medical bills.
With travel insurance: After meeting your chosen deductible, comprehensive coverage will handle the rest of the bill. Medical evacuation back to Canada (if medically advisable) is also covered, which alone can cost $50,000+. When purchasing your policy, simply enter your full travel dates (whether that’s weeks or months), and you’ll be covered for your entire stay.
Scenario 3: A Fun Getaway to Florida
You and your friends decided to get away and have a fun 5-day trip to Florida. You ate something wrong and now you realize you have food poisoning requiring IV fluids and anti-nausea medication.
Typical costs without insurance:
- Urgent care visit: $500
- IV fluids and treatment: $800
- Medications: $200
- Total: $1,500 USD
For a quick trip that was supposed to be some fun, an unexpected $1,500 medical bill is a significant hit. Your provincial plan might cover a little, or even nothing, depending on your province. That’s potentially your entire weekend budget gone on a medical bill instead of enjoying your time with friends.
With travel insurance: A five-day policy for a 35-year-old costs approximately $6-$12. For the price of a coffee or two, you’re protected from unexpected expenses that could derail your trip and budget, and you can go back to your trip like nothing happened.
But Is Travel Insurance Really Worth It for Canadians?
This is the practical question most Canadians are really asking. Let’s look at it from a value perspective rather than just a fear-based one.
The Math Makes Sense
Consider this cost breakdown for travel insurance for a two-week US vacation:
- Age 35: $35-$50
- Age 55: $60-$90
- Age 70: $150-$200
Cost of one emergency room visit: $2,000-$5,000+
Cost of hospitalization: $10,000+ per day
When Travel Insurance Makes the Most Sense
Travel insurance for Canadians is particularly valuable if:
- You’re over 60: Health risks increase with age, and insurance becomes more cost-effective relative to potential medical costs.
- You have pre-existing conditions: Even if stable, the acute onset of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma can happen. Look for policies covering acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
- You’re traveling for an extended period: Snowbirds spending months in the US face much higher statistical odds of needing medical care simply due to the extended time period. The longer you’re away, the more likely it is that you’ll need some form of medical attention. When getting a quote, simply enter your complete travel dates (whether it’s 3 weeks or 6 months), and the policy will cover your entire stay. A policy covering several months typically costs $600-$2,000 depending on age and coverage level, which breaks down to just a few dollars per day for complete protection.
- You are relocating to the US for work: Moving to the US for work often involves a waiting period before employer-sponsored health insurance begins. Since provincial coverage like OHIP provides little to no coverage for out-of-country emergencies, and other provinces may cancel your benefits immediately upon your permanent departure, travel insurance acts as a critical bridge to protect your finances during your transition.
- You’re doing physical activities: Skiing, hiking, cycling, or water sports increase injury risk. Some policies require adventure sports riders, but the coverage is worth it.
- You have family responsibilities: If a medical emergency would financially impact your children, spouse, or other dependents, insurance protects them too.
- You don’t want to fund a major, surprise expense: If an unexpected medical bill would require you to go into debt, pull from retirement savings, or cause financial hardship, don’t risk it.
When You Might Consider Going Without
To be completely honest, there are limited situations where you might not need travel insurance for your visit to America:
- Very short trips with minimal activity: A day trip across the border for gas and groceries carries minimal risk.
- You have substantial emergency savings: If you have $50,000+ liquid funds you can access immediately and are comfortable risking it, you’re essentially self-insuring.
- You have comprehensive existing coverage: Some Canadians have extended health benefits through work, premium credit cards, or private health insurance that provides adequate US coverage. Verify this carefully before assuming you’re covered.
Where Can I Get the Best US Travel Insurance?
The decision to get travel insurance is ultimately personal. Assess your own situation, risk tolerance, and financial capacity. If you decide insurance makes sense for your trip, make sure to compare multiple travel insurance plans designed specifically for visitors to the US and find coverage that fits both your trip and your budget.
Not sure where to start or still have questions? Our team of licensed insurance experts is here to help. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions honestly, and help you find a plan that makes sense for your specific situation.
