Do I need health insurance to travel from BC to Alberta?
Emergency medical insurance is a must-have for any out-of-province travel, even if you're still in Canada.
If you present your valid BC Services Card/CareCard, most physicians in other Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec) will bill their provincial health care plan for the services. MSP will then reimburse the other plan.
If you require emergency medical care in another Canadian province or territory, you can see a doctor or visit a hospital without having to pick up the tab. The Canada Health Act requires all provinces and territories to extend GHIP coverage to residents who are temporarily elsewhere in Canada.
Not all health services available to you in Alberta are covered by AHCIP outside of Alberta. You should have additional travel or medical insurance when you leave Alberta. Emergency medical care and transportation can be expensive.
Do visitors to Canada need health insurance? Visitors traveling to Canada and to any country outside of their home country should have visitors health insurance. Most domestic policies will only cover you in your home country and have little to no coverage once you are traveling abroad.
In Alberta, some health expenses are covered by the government while others are not—and those costs must be paid out-of-pocket. A benefit plan is health coverage that protects you from health expenses that the government does not cover for most individuals.
You must be registered with the AHCIP , using your personal health care card, to receive insured hospital and physician services.
If during your visit to Canada you get sick or injured, the Canadian government won't pay for any hospitalization or emergency medical services for visitors. Also, if you don't have proper medical insurance coverage, you will be liable to pay for any medical service out of your own pocket.
Medically necessary health care services—hospital care and physician services—are typically covered in other provinces, but additional services like ambulance, hospital transfers, air ambulance and repatriation to your province are not covered.
Canada has universal health coverage funded through a health system called Medicare. It was created from the Canada Health Act and must comply with the five pillars of that act. The system must be universal, publicly administered, have comprehensive coverage, portable across provinces, and accessible to the population.
Can you use travel insurance instead of health insurance?
Travel medical insurance is different from your health insurance because travel medical insurance is a supplemental policy that helps protect you while you're traveling. It's only valid for the length of your trip and is meant to supplement your health insurance when you're out of network.
If you are away from Alberta for the purpose of vacation on a recurring basis, for up to 212 days in a 12-month period, you might be eligible for continued AHCIP coverage. Contact AHCIP before you leave Alberta and when you return.
- What is NOT covered: Hospital services NOT covered under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) include private and semi-private hospital rooms (unless medically necessary); ambulance services (except inter-facility transfers); anesthetic charges for services not covered by the AHCIP; for dental service ...
However, U.S. government health insurance plans do not pay for hospital costs, medical expenses or prescription drugs for visitors to Canada. But if you have private insurance, you can check with your provider to see if you have coverage while abroad.
Patients that are not covered by Canadian provincial health plans are expected to pay their hospital bills directly since the Hospital does not have the resources to provide care free of charge. The care that is being provided to you is costly and requires payment at the time the care is provided.
Canada is home to some of the world's best hospitals. These hospitals are almost always nonprofits, but this does not mean they provide their services for free! Expats who do not have international insurance will have to pay for hospital care themselves. There are private for-profit facilities in Canada.
In accordance with the Canada Health Act, Alberta has a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and health care services.
$350 to be seen by a doctor at a walk-in clinic. $842.50 to be admitted into the emergency room (including required lab work and x-rays) in addition to doctor's fees which start at an additional $200 and increase depending on diagnosis and treatment.
| Monthly Rates | Single | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Full Premium | $63.50 | $118.00 |
| Subsidized Premiums | $44.45 | $82.60 |
Patients who do not have valid Alberta Healthcare or provincial healthcare from other Canadian provinces will be required to pay for their appointment prior to seeing the doctor. Please note that Quebec is not part of the medical reciprocal program and patients must pay for appointments at the time of the appointment.
What happens if you don't have a health card in Canada?
Depending on your immigration status, the government of Canada provides free emergency medical services, even if you don't have a government health card. If you have an emergency, it is recommended to visit the nearest hospital. A walk-in clinic may charge fees if you're not a resident of that province or territory.
If your Canada entry document is about to expire and you have not yet received a new Canada entry document or positive first decision letter, you may be eligible for a one-time only 90-day temporary extension of your AHCIP coverage.
As a visitor to Canada you pay anywhere from $100 up to $600 to see a doctor during daytime. This fee excludes any treatment and medication. At night, the costs might double.
Healthcare services received beyond U.S. borders are not covered. Medicare may cover inpatient hospital costs, ambulance services or dialysis for the following circ*mstances: You are in the U.S. when emergency treatment is needed and the closest hospital is in a foreign country (e.g., Canada or Mexico).
The average cost for an ED visit in Ontario was estimated to be $323 () in 2022. The estimated average cost includes direct ED operating costs and physician fees, weighted by the level of urgency – the Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS).
