Does OHIP cover you when you travel outside Canada?
No — OHIP covers almost nothing when you travel outside Canada. It pays only very limited amounts for out-of-country emergencies, never pays hospitals up front, and ended most out-of-country coverage in 2020. Ontario travellers need emergency medical travel insurance to avoid large out-of-pocket bills.
Key takeaways
- OHIP's out-of-country coverage is minimal and paid after the fact, not up front.
- A single hospital stay abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- Emergency medical travel insurance pays providers directly and includes 24/7 assistance.
- Buy coverage before you leave — not after something happens.
It’s one of the most expensive misunderstandings in Canadian travel: assuming OHIP will cover you abroad. It won’t — not meaningfully.
What OHIP actually covers outside Canada
Ontario wound down most of its out-of-country travel coverage in 2020. What remains is minimal, capped, and reimbursed after you’ve paid — OHIP does not settle bills with foreign hospitals directly. For a serious emergency, that leaves you fronting the cost.
Why that’s a problem
Out-of-country medical care is expensive. An emergency room visit, a few days in hospital, or an air ambulance home can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Emergency medical travel insurance covers those costs, coordinates your care, and pays providers directly so you’re not out of pocket.
The takeaway
Treat OHIP as if it provides no out-of-country coverage, and buy emergency medical travel insurance before every trip outside the province.
Ready to get covered?
Get matched and covered in minutes — the same price, with real guidance behind it.
Purchase now →Frequently asked questions
How much does OHIP pay for out-of-country medical care?
Very little. OHIP reimburses only small, capped amounts for emergency out-of-country services and does not pay hospitals directly, leaving travellers responsible for the balance.
Do I still need travel insurance for trips within Canada?
Often yes. While your provincial plan travels with you between provinces, it may not cover ambulance, prescriptions or the gap in another province — and trip cancellation or baggage coverage still applies.
When should I buy emergency medical insurance?
Before you depart. Emergency medical plans are designed to be purchased prior to leaving; buying after departure is restricted and may not be possible.
TripCovered is a licensed insurance referral service operating in Ontario. Insurance is administered by North American Air Travel Insurance Agents Ltd., doing business as TuGo®, a licensed insurance broker in all provinces and territories. The issuer of the contract is Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and Industrial Alliance Pacific General Insurance Corporation. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. This website provides general information only and is not a contract of insurance. Always read your policy wording before you travel.