If I get sick or have an accident while visiting Canada, will the Government of Canada pay for my medical treatment? (2024)

FAQs

If I get sick or have an accident while visiting Canada, will the Government of Canada pay for my medical treatment? ›

Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. You should get health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Canada? There are no requirements for U.S. citizens to have travel insurance coverage as a condition of entry to Canada. However, most Canadian hospitals do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare.

If you are not a Canadian resident with a valid health card, you will be responsible for the cost of your care. Health PEI charges fees for a variety of services which can differ between facilities. Fees are subject to change without notice. You may also be charged a fee for accessing your health records (fees vary).

Medical coverage for visitors to Canada

Our Visitors to Canada insurance includes emergency medical and dental coverage when you are visiting Canada or are not eligible for a provincial health insurance plan.

Do tourists get free healthcare in Canada? No. However, it is possible for non-residents to get emergency healthcare coverage while in Canada (but it won't cover non-emergency expenses). This is highly recommended no matter whether you're visiting the country for one week or multiple months.

If I get sick or have an accident while visiting Canada, will the Government of Canada pay for my medical treatment? Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. You should get health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.

If an applicant is seeking medical treatment in Canada, the applicant should submit proof from the treating physician indicating that arrangements have been made for the treatment. The treating physician should be affiliated with a Canadian institution that can provide the services required by the applicant.

The Canada Health Act works to ensure that Canadians receive most of their medical care for free, but this does not apply to those visiting from outside the country. If you are injured, you will need to use your own health insurance or pay out of pocket for the medical care you receive in Canada.

Many people may be unaware that in Canada, doctors have the “right” to refuse to provide legal and necessary treatments based on their personal or religious beliefs. Further, doctors usually don't even have to refer patients to someone who can provide the objected-to service.

That said, emergency medical treatment is available for free throughout Canada. If you have a medical emergency, call an ambulance or visit your nearest hospital. Emergencies aside, you'll need to have a public health insurance card to access medical care for free.

Can US citizens get healthcare in Canada? ›

Foreigners will receive emergency care, but non-urgent medical treatment won't be covered. To make sure you won't have to pay for all of your medical expenses, you should sign up for an international health insurance plan.

Travel insurance is a necessary contingency for getting sick or injured in Canada. Unlike other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, there isn't a reciprocal health agreement between Canada and the UK, so while healthcare is readily available, it could be very expensive. The emergency services number is 911 or 0.

As a foreign visitor to Canada, you can visit any doctor or hospital, as long as you pay the bill. Relatively small amounts, you pay upon your visit. After you returned home, send the medical bill to your insurance company.

In general, Medicare only covers recipients while in the United States. This means that if you have Medicare and you travel to Canada, your healthcare costs will not be covered, even if the services or medications provided would normally be covered in the United States.

If you are traveling to Canada by car, whether in your vehicle or a rental car, your U.S. insurance will usually protect you with the same coverages and limits that you have at home.

An American car insurance policy works the same way in Canada as it does in the U.S. Your comprehensive car insurance coverage and auto collision coverage, for example, still apply to damage to your vehicle if you're in an accident while driving in Canada.

Not all Medical Expenses are Covered by OHIP

The fact is provincial health insurance plans will only cover some medical expenses. Therefore, you should always protect yourself by purchasing medical insurance when travelling within Canada.

How is healthcare in Canada for international citizens? Generally, foreigners and expats won't immediately receive coverage via Canada's public healthcare system. They will receive medical treatment if there is an emergency, but if they don't have a global health insurance plan, they may have to pay for it.

U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas. Private U.S. insurance policies also might not cover any or all expenses. Check with your insurance before traveling to see if it provides coverage overseas. More information is also available on the CDC insurance page.