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Best medical insurance for visitors to Canada
Are you going to spend some time in Toronto, Vancouver or any other Canadian city? Here's what you need to know to choose the best health insurance for foreigners in Canada.
Are you planning to spend some time in the land of the maple? It’s an ideal place to live, with a wide range of attractions. However, there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you in order to have a quiet and comfortable life there. Today we want to tell you about one of them: Medical insurance for Canada.
If it’s already important when you move to a new country to think about what you’d do if you get sick, imagine in a country where medical services can be quite expensive. Although Canada has a public health care system, access for foreigners is very limited. With this article, we want to help you take care of everything, so we’re going to take a look at the types of insurance available for expatriates or long-term visitors and the coverage they offer.
Which foreigners need medical insurance in Canada?
To understand the importance of medical insurance for visitors to Canada, it’s first necessary to understand how the Canadian health care system works. The Canadian health care system is public, tax-funded and managed in each province or territory. This ensures that citizens and permanent residents have free access to primary care services, medical consultations and hospitalisation. Although there’s a federal framework (the Canada Health Act) that regulates certain aspects of health services, each province decides the specific coverage and requirements for its residents.
This system, known as Medicare, is exclusively for citizens and permanent residents. This means that foreigners aren’t automatically covered. While some provinces allow temporary residents to access the system after a wait of up to three months, others don’t offer public coverage to these groups. Therefore, there are groups that need to take out insurance if they want to be covered:
- Tourists and temporary visitors: Short- and medium-term visitors to Canada aren’t entitled to Medicare coverage and must pay their medical bills in full.
- International students: While some provincial plans offer limited coverage to foreign students, this coverage varies by region and doesn’t always cover comprehensive care or extensive medical emergencies.
- Temporary workers: Although those arriving in Canada on a temporary work visa may be eligible for public coverage in certain provinces, this is usually after a waiting period.
- Digital nomads and temporary residents: Digital nomads often stay in Canada for extended periods of time with no intention of obtaining permanent residency, they should ensure that they have private insurance, as they aren’t covered by the public health system.
What types of medical insurance are required for foreigners in Canada?
For foreigners in Canada, the variety of medical insurance available covers different needs depending on the length of stay, type of visa and budget. From basic plans for emergencies to more comprehensive coverage that includes specialised services. These are the main types of medical insurance available to foreigners in Canada:
- Medical insurance for international students: Compulsory for foreign students, covers basic medical care and emergencies. Provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia require private insurance until the student can access provincial plans.
- Medical insurance for tourists and short-stay visitors: Designed for emergencies, it covers hospitalisation and consultations for accidents or sudden illness. It’s ideal for those visiting Canada for short periods, whether for tourism or family visits, with repatriation options in serious cases.
- Insurance for temporary workers and expatriates: For those on temporary work visas. These insurance plans offer full coverage for consultations, emergencies and sometimes medicines. They are useful while foreigners wait for access to the public system or to supplement Medicare in provinces that allow it.
- Coverage for digital nomads and temporary residents: Designed for those who’re in Canada for an extended period of time without permanent residence. It offers flexible options including dental care, mental health and physiotherapy. Ideal for people with active lifestyles and risky activities.
- Travel insurance with health cover: Travel insurance for Canada, aimed at tourists, also works for longer stays. Covers emergencies and hospitalisation, ideal for those planning multiple visits or package tours.
How much do health services cost in Canada?
Canada’s healthcare system is notorious for its high costs for those not covered by Medicare. Foreigners, not having access to free public health care, may face significant costs, especially in cases of emergencies and hospitalisation. In this table you can see a breakdown of approximate prices for private medical care, you’ll better understand why taking out medical insurance is essential when planning a stay in Canada.
| Health Service | Approximate price in the private sector |
|---|---|
| General medical consultation | $75-150 C ($54-108 US) |
| Consultation with a specialist | $200-350 C ($144-251 US) |
| Emergency care (without hospitalisation) | $500-1,200 C ($359-861 US) |
| Inpatient day (includes basic tests and treatments) | $1,000-3,000 C ($718-2,153 US) |
| Diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRI, etc.) | $150-800 C ($108-574 US) |
| Minor surgery (e.g. cyst removal) | $1,500-4,000 C ($1,077-2,871 US) |
| Major surgery (e.g. appendectomy) | $8,000-15,000 C ($5,743-10,767 US) |
| Dental treatment (cleaning and filling) | $200-700 C ($144-502 US) |
| Psychological therapy (per session) | $125-250 C ($90-179 US) |
| Physiotherapy session | $75-200 C ($54-144 US) |
The 5 best medical insurance in Canada
If you know you need medical insurance for Canada, the next step is to choose the one that best suits your needs. As this decision depends on factors such as length of stay, type of cover desired and budget, we have prepared a list of five outstanding options for expatriates and visitors to Canada. All insurers are highly rated for their coverage and additional services.
Allianz Care Canada
Allianz Care offers one of the most comprehensive medical cover for expatriates in Canada. Designed to meet the medical needs of temporary residents, students and foreign workers. Recognised for its global network, it provides access to hospitals and health centres across Canada and 24/7 multilingual assistance.
Allianz has specific health plans for students, visitors and temporary workers in Canada. The international student policy includes emergency and hospitalisation cover, as well as telemedicine support and access to mobile applications for easy claims management. Their basic plans usually cover hospitalisation, medical consultations and medicines, while the more comprehensive plans offer dental, mental health and physiotherapy coverage, with the option to customise the plan according to the user’s budget and needs.
- Coverage and services: Medical consultations, hospitalisation and emergencies, mental health coverage, dentistry (optional in certain plans), telemedicine and medical evacuation coverage in case of severe emergencies.
- Plans and prices: From $65 C ($47 US) per month for basic coverage to $220 C ($158 US) per month for advanced coverage, depending on the type of plan and length of stay in Canada.
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Strong medical network in Canada and abroad | Full coverage plans can be expensive |
| Multilingual service and support | Exclusions on pre-existing conditions for certain policies |
| Option to customise plans for different budgets |
Cigna Global
Cigna Global is known for its international network and is a popular choice for expatriates in Canada. It offers flexible health plans to cover both emergencies and preventive treatment. Its Close Care℠ plan includes access to speciality and emergency consultations, ideal for those who prefer comprehensive medical cover. It also has digital support options for insurance management.
Cigna allows you to extend your cover with additional packages, such as the International Vision &Dental, which includes dental and ophthalmological consultations, or a mental health cover module. In addition, its App facilitates the management of the policy and claims, allowing users to have full control from anywhere in the country.
- Coverage and services: General and specialised medical consultations; hospitalisation; diagnostic tests. Dental and ophthalmological optional coverage. Mental health and medical evacuation support.
- Plans and prices: From $100 C ($72 US) per month for basic coverage. With the possibility of extending coverage with additional packages up to $350 C dollars ($251 US) per month.
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Flexibility in the selection of additional plans and services | The price of full coverage can be high |
| International coverage and access to an extensive medical network | Exclusions and limits in mental health treatment |
| Easy management through its mobile app |
Manulife CoverMe
Manulife is a Canadian-based insurer and a favourite among expatriates. This is thanks to its flexible coverage in line with Canadian health regulations. Its CoverMe Visitors to Canada plan is designed specifically for tourists, students and long-stay visitors, covering emergency hospitalisation, medical consultations, medication and, in some cases, diagnostic tests.
CoverMe allows you to add additional coverage for dental and mental health, ideal for those staying for extended periods in Canada. In addition, Manulife offers plans with reduced vesting periods for those who wish to ensure a quick and smooth transition to the Canadian medical system.
- Coverage and services: Emergency care, hospitalisation, medicines, emergency consultations and telemedicine options. Optional extended cover for dentist and psychology.
- Plans and prices: From $60 C ($41.90 US) per month for emergency coverage, and up to $180 C ($125.71 US) per month for a comprehensive plan.
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Extensive network of hospitals and clinics in Canada | Some exclusions for people with pre-existing conditions |
| Good insurance option for students and long-stay visitors | Limitations on certain preventive treatments |
| Reducing waiting periods for those seeking immediate access to services |
GeoBlue Xplorer
GeoBlue is an option for expatriates looking for comprehensive international coverage, with a special focus on Canada and the USA. The Xplorer policy covers everything from general medical consultations to advanced surgeries and treatments. It’s ideal for expatriates and temporary workers who want comprehensive coverage for both emergencies and preventive health.
This insurance allows you to choose between a national or global medical network and covers dental care, mental health and medical evacuation in emergencies. One of the advantages of GeoBlue is that you can manage coverage, payments and reimbursements in real time via the GeoBlue App.
- Coverage and services: Specialised medical consultations, hospitalisation and emergencies, dental and mental health options, medical evacuation coverage and telemedicine options.
- Plans and pricing: From $150 C ($108 US) per month to $400 C ($287 US) for full international coverage.
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive coverage tailored to the Canadian health care system | High rates on comprehensive plans |
| International network, ideal for expatriates and frequent travellers | Exclusions and limits in mental health coverage |
| Flexibility in additional coverage modules |
APRIL International
With over 40 years of experience, APRIL International is an insurer renowned for its focus on expatriates and frequent travellers. Its global network and multilingual advisors make it an ideal choice for those seeking support anywhere in the world. Through its Easy Claim app, users can send claims, consult telemedicals and manage their policy in an agile way.
APRIL’s plans are tailored to different needs: From hospitalisation and specialist consultations to dental and optical coverage, depending on the plan. In addition, APRIL includes the possibility of adding repatriation and major emergency cover, ideal for Canada, where private medical care can be expensive without insurance.
Coverage and services
APRIL allows you to customise coverage for hospitalisation in public and private clinics, consultations with specialists, access to medicines and diagnostic tests. With Easy Claim, claims are easy to make, and the teleconsultation service is available 24/7.
Plans and prices
- MyHealth Essential: Basic coverage for hospitalisation and emergencies. Annual limit of $1,000,000 US. Includes repatriation and general consultations.
- MyHealth Comfort: Extends the basic plan with specialist consultations, dental (up to $2,000 US per year) and vision ($500 US every two years for glasses and contact lenses). Ideal for those seeking more comprehensive protection.
- MyHealth Premium: Includes all the above coverages and adds preventive care services and dental prostheses, making it APRIL’s most comprehensive plan for expatriates.
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive and easy-to-use mobile application | Some specialised services are only available in higher level plans |
| 24/7 medical teleconsultation available in several languages | High rates for the most comprehensive plans |
| Optional dental and optical coverage for Comfort and Premium plans |
Which is the best medical insurance for visitors to Canada?
Although the best medical insurance for visitors to Canada depends on the specific circumstances of each individual, after this analysis we could say that there’s one that stands out from the rest: Allianz Care.
With an extensive network of hospitals and medical centres in the country, Allianz offers flexible plans, such as those for students, temporary workers and long-stay visitors. These plans cover everything from emergencies to consultations and hospitalisations. Its focus on comprehensive coverage, along with telemedicine options and streamlined claims management through the app, make it an attractive alternative for those seeking peace of mind during their stay in Canada.
In addition, Allianz allows plans to be customised according to the specific needs of each profile. You can add dental and mental health cover, which can make a big difference to the cost and quality of services. Thanks to this and the support in different languages, it’s one of the best options for expatriates.
So much for our review of medical insurance in Canada. Do you need more information to prepare your move? Check out our guide for remote workers in Canada or the guide on visas for digital nomads moving to cities like Vancouver or Toronto.
