Why Provincial Health Cards Aren’t Enough When You Travel ?
by Admin
Life Insurance Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 6:16 PM
As the travel season approaches, many Canadians are planning trips to stunning destinations such as Banff, Niagara Falls, or Quebec City. At Trupax Financial Limited, we know the excitement of exploring Canada’s beauty, but we also understand the risks of relying solely on your provincial health card.
While provincial plans like OHIP or BC’s Medical Services Plan offer coverage, they fall short for out-of-province medical emergencies. Travel insurance, which may include trip interruption and cancellation coverage, is crucial for protecting your finances and maintaining peace of mind. Here’s why.
Limitations of Provincial Health Cards for Out-of-Province Travel
Canada’s universal healthcare system provides residents with provincial health cards, but coverage is limited when you travel outside your home province. A 2025 Manulife report notes that provincial plans may not cover all costs for medical emergencies outside your home province, leaving you exposed to significant expenses. Key restrictions include:
- Emergency Services: Ambulance rides, air ambulances, or medical repatriation are often not fully covered by insurance. For example, an air ambulance from a remote area can cost thousands of dollars.
- Prescription Drugs: Medications purchased outside your province, such as for a sudden illness, are typically not reimbursed by provincial plans.
- Non-Physician Services: Treatments by nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, or chiropractors are often excluded from coverage.
- Quebec’s Billing Issues: Quebec is not part of the interprovincial billing agreement, meaning you may incur upfront costs for medical care with limited reimbursement.
- Hospital and Specialist Fees: While some hospital services are covered, additional fees (e.g., private rooms, specialist consultations) may not be, and costs can escalate quickly.
A 2025 CAA survey found that 41% of Ontarians travelled outside their province without travel insurance, with 43% believing it was unnecessary due to provincial coverage (CAA, June 2025)1. This misconception can lead to financial hardship when unexpected medical issues arise.
Real-World Examples of High Medical Costs
Without travel insurance, out-of-province medical emergencies can result in staggering bills, as seen in recent news:
Mike Outram, a man from Windsor, Ontario, faced a life-changing incident when he fell in a Michigan gym while working as a gymnastics coach and is now a paraplegic. The medical expenses he incurred in the U.S. totaled $168,000, despite not receiving extensive treatment. He noted, "And I really didn’t have anything done." Unfortunately, he did not have insurance to cover these costs. (CBC)
McMillian shared that his wife, Cynthia Tyrrell, was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and underwent treatments for three years. In March 2022, feeling well enough, she went on a vacation to Florida after her doctor approved it. Unfortunately, her condition worsened in Florida, leading to hospitalization and a medical flight back to Canada. "She spent 10 days in the hospital before they airlifted her to Simcoe," McMillian said. Sadly, Tyrrell died shortly after returning home. Despite having travel insurance with GreenShield, her claim was denied because she was being treated for cancer before the trip. The total bill for her hospital stay and flight amounted to US$124,816 (about C$168,714). (CTV)
These cases demonstrate that medical emergencies, even within Canada, can result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses, particularly without supplemental travel insurance.
Advantages of Trip Interruption and Cancellation Coverage
Beyond medical coverage, travel insurance with trip interruption and cancellation benefits offers critical protection for your travel investment, as noted by experts.
Benefits include:
- Trip Cancellation: Covers pre-paid, non-refundable costs (e.g., flights, hotels) if you cancel your trip due to unforeseen events like illness or a family emergency. For example, cancelling a $5,000 all-inclusive trip to PEI could be fully reimbursed with coverage, saving you thousands of dollars.
- Trip Interruption: Reimburses additional costs if you must return home early or face delays due to emergencies, such as a family member’s illness. A CAA example illustrates a traveller who needs to change flights mid-trip due to a family emergency, with insurance covering the flight change fees (CAA, June 2025).
- Baggage and Delay Protection: Covers lost luggage or delays, ensuring you’re not out-of-pocket for essentials like clothing or medication. Manulife notes that non-medical plans protect against these disruptions, adding peace of mind .
These benefits ensure you can enjoy your trip without worrying about losing money due to unexpected disruptions, unlike provincial health cards, which offer no such coverage.
Why Travel Insurance is Essential
With 49% of Canadians skipping travel insurance for domestic trips (Financial Post, June 2025), many risk financial strain from uncovered medical costs or trip disruptions. Travel insurance fills these gaps by:
- Covering Medical Gaps: Policies like those from Manulife or Allianz Global offer up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, and repatriation, far exceeding provincial plan limits .
- Protecting Your Investment: Trip cancellation and interruption coverage safeguards your travel expenses, which can be significant for popular destinations like Whistler or Montreal.
- Reducing Stress: Knowing you’re covered for emergencies or disruptions lets you focus on enjoying Canada’s breathtaking landscapes.
Take Action Before Your Next Trip
As travel season nears, don’t let a medical emergency or trip disruption derail your plans. At Trupax Financial Limited, we offer tailored travel insurance solutions, including emergency medical and trip protection, to keep you secure across Canada.
Travel with confidence this season!