OHIP covers $400/day in the US. An ICU bed costs $20,000.
The single most expensive financial mistake Canadians make is travelling without insurance. Your provincial health plan covers 1-5% of US medical costs. A 5-day ICU stay in Florida hits $145,000. Travel insurance for the same trip: $40.
★ THE GAP ★
What your province covers vs reality
PROVINCE
INPATIENT / DAY
OUTPATIENT / DAY
NOTES
ONOntario (OHIP)
$400
$50
Max $50k per emergency
BCBC (MSP)
$75
$75
Lowest in Canada
ABAlberta
$100
$100
No daily cap on inpatient
QCQuebec (RAMQ)
$100
$50
Reciprocal agreements limited
ATAtlantic Provinces
$250
$50
NB/NS/PE/NL similar rates
OTHERSK/MB/NW Terr.
$100
$50
Limited coverage
For context: average US inpatient day = $3,000-5,000. ICU day = $10,000-20,000. Your province covers ~5% of the bill.
★ WHAT US HEALTHCARE ACTUALLY COSTS ★
Bills Canadians come home with
ER visit (no admission)$3,000Travel insurance covers 100% above provincial portion
Broken arm + X-ray$7,500Travel insurance covers 100% above provincial portion