
Do you need travel insurance for trips within Canada?
June 15, 2022
Why travellers prefer Blue Cross
June 15, 2022
Most Canadian travellers assume that their provincial health insurance covers them from coast to coast. But the coverage has limits that everyone should know about before taking a trip to another Canadian province.
When you travel within Canada, your provincial health plan offers basic coverage to reimburse the costs of a hospital visit following an accident or sudden illness.
In fact, as a result of Interprovincial health insurance agreements, most hospital services will be covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)—provided, of course, that you are eligible. This includes among others:
Health insurance in each province or territory has limitations. So, wherever you are in Canada, you may have to pay for costs that are not included in your provincial coverage. Ambulance trips, emergency dental care and medical devices are some examples of services that are not reimbursed by the RAMQ.
Similarly, health services provided by a health professional (such as doctors, optometrists, dentists, etc.) will be reimbursed up to the rates that are effective in your province or territory of residence.
Therefore, if you see a doctor during your trip, they may require you to pay the difference out of pocket between the fees billed in your province of residence and the ones in the province you are visiting. Depending on the services received, the cost can be high and not reimbursed by RAMQ.
For your trips or stays outside Québec, RAMQ recommends purchasing private insurance before you leave to protect you in case of an accident or sudden illness.
This insurance will allow you to receive reimbursement for various expenses that are not generally covered by your public health insurance plan, such as:
Although we are in relatively familiar territory, it can be very reassuring to have a team of professionals at our disposal on whom we can count in the event of sudden illness or accident.
Whatever the emergency, Travel Assistance responders are available 24/7 to help you get the help you need.
In addition to insuring you for emergency medical care, travel insurance offers you various options allowing you to obtain comprehensive coverage that meets all your needs.
Québec Blue CrossⓇ has been with you around the globe for more than 80 years. Find the right coverage for you and your trip with an online travel insurance quote.