Do you need travel insurance coverage for trips outside your province or territory?

While some travel restrictions are starting to lift, some of us are still hesitant to travel abroad. However, in a recent survey, 39.7% of respondents said they would take a holiday in their own country, while 16.1% would travel abroad in 2021*. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, travelling within Canada is not only an ideal alternative to international travel, but also a great opportunity to see and learn more about this beautiful country.

Before you travel to another province or territory, it’s important to understand the limitations under your provincial health insurance plan while away from home, and what expenses might not be covered if you need emergency medical treatment while on your trip. 

Hospital services that are medically necessary to maintain health, prevent disease or diagnose or treat an injury, illness, or a disability continue to be covered by your provincial health insurance plan while travelling to another part of Canada, thanks to interprovincial health insurance agreements.

However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be covered for all medical and other emergency situations that may arise during your trip. Provinces and territories in Canada each offer a different level of health coverage. For this reason, it is important to check the coverage requirements, limits and exceptions with your local ministry of health before leaving on your trip.  

Healthcare coverage while travelling within Canada varies based on your home province’s health insurance plan. For example, here are some of the medical expenses that may not covered by your provincial health insurance plan while travelling outside of your province, but still within Canada:

• Ground ambulance
• Air ambulance
• Prescription drugs
• Medical transportation back to your home province/territory
• Ambulance
• Accidental dental care

Provincial health insurance also doesn’t cover certain non-medical expenses such as trip cancellation, trip interruption and lost baggage.

If you’re not prepared for the unexpected, you could be left to pay thousands of dollars in medical and trip-related bills.

Coverage included on credit cards varies greatly. Credit cards with travel medical benefits may place restrictions on the traveller’s age and trip length as well as limits on medical costs. Credit cards may not offer benefits for trip cancellation, trip interruption, or the loss or damage of baggage, and very few offer flight accident or accidental death insurance.

It’s highly recommended that travellers contact their credit card provider to confirm the benefits on their card before leaving, including what is and isn’t covered.

Costs related to unexpected emergency medical treatment can potentially be very high when travelling, even if you stay within Canada.

A standard emergency medical travel insurance plan will help close the gaps in your provincial health insurance plan, including coverage for ground and air ambulance, prescriptions, and treatment for certain dental emergencies.

When shopping for insurance coverage, ask the following questions and always make sure to purchase travel insurance from a trusted insurance provider such as Allianz Global Assistance.

• Is there an age limit to apply for travel medical insurance?
• Does age affect the kind of coverage I can expect?
• What will the full travel health package cost?
• Can my trip be cancelled because of a pre-existing illness?
• Will the insurance company pay the hospital/doctor directly if I need to seek treatment?
• Do I have to phone the insurance company to gain approval before I can see a doctor?
• Will I have to pay for treatment and then provide proof with receipts once I’m home?
• Am I required to see only pre-selected hospitals or doctors for care? 

Things travellers need to consider:

• Check out what the plan covers as well as the benefits, and understand what the insurance contract does and doesn’t cover.
• Compare the coverage limitations such as the maximum amount to be paid out for each benefit.
• Make sure to disclose any pre-existing illnesses and any medication used in addition to any change in your condition or medication prior to departure.
• Be aware of any COVID-19 restrictions and quarantine requirements for your destination. Read more about any ongoing restrictions by visiting provincial and territorial restrictions.