As Canadians, we might be under the impression that our provincial health care plans cover everything everywhere when we travel within Canada. But that is not the case. Here are all the things your provincial health care plan does NOT cover outside your home province, even if you are just going to the province next door:
- Ambulance—ground, mountain, and sea rescue
- Family member to bedside
- Medical equipment rental
- Prescription drugs
- Dental services
- Accommodation costs and meals for travel companions
- Escort of insured children home when you are hospitalized
- Return of vehicle
Here is what your provincial plan will partially cover:
- Emergency room fees
- Hospital fees
- Doctor visits
- X-rays and lab work
For example, if you live in Alberta, and head to Whistler, BC for a ski trip and have an accident on the hill, you could be facing air ambulance fees of over $6000 to fly you to a Vancouver hospital, doctor fees, medications and so on. Your traumatic injuries will be made worse by a huge medical bill. In 2014, a Montreal woman was attacked by a polar bear in Canada’s north and received a $13,000 medical bill for the air ambulance and medical care she received.
More Canadians are making road and air trips within Canada now as pandemic restrictions are being eased and a high percentage of Canadians have received both vaccinations. Many never consider the need to obtain travel insurance when travelling within Canada, but it is well worth the cost given how much money it could save you should you have any kind of medical emergency on your trip.
There are numerous travel insurance companies to choose from and different levels of coverage are available. Make sure you read the fine print and know what is and is not covered and what the deductible is. If you have private medical insurance, find out if it includes travel, or if annual travel insurance can be added to your policy.
No one wants to think about the possibility of a medical emergency when they travel, but it is wise to prepare ahead with travel insurance so that if you end up needing it, your medical emergency doesn’t also include a financial one.
Health Risk Services has trusted partner agreements with Travel Insurance providers through whom we can arrange customized travel insurance coverage for you and your family journeys. Call us first before you travel – We are Here to Help!
Health Risk Services
Call 403-236-9430 OR email: [email protected]
