Travel medical insurance can help with unexpected health costs on a trip abroad, or while family and friends are visiting Canada. Sam Pakbaz works with families in Barrhaven, Nepean and Ottawa. He compares options and explains them in everyday language, so you can decide what fits.

What happens without coverage

OHIP may pay only a small part of emergency care outside Canada, and it does not pay to bring you home. Visitors to Canada are not covered by provincial health plans. Travel medical insurance is meant to help with emergency care and a medical trip home, if you need one.

Real costs and official rules

• For emergency care outside Canada, OHIP pays up to $50 (Canadian) a day for outpatient services, up to $400 a day for inpatient care in an operating room or an intensive, coronary, neonatal or pediatric special care unit, and up to $200 a day for other inpatient care. These limits still apply on a longer stay abroad. Ontario recommends buying private travel medical insurance before you leave, including a transfer home. (Government of Ontario)
• The Government of Canada says a provincial or territorial plan may cover none, or only a small part, of medical care abroad, including a medical evacuation. It will never pay those bills up front, and the Government of Canada will not pay your medical bills. (travel.gc.ca)
• Visitors to Ontario do not qualify for OHIP. IRCC says Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors, and that you should get health insurance before you come to Canada. (Government of Ontario; IRCC)
• In 2024, Canada's life and health insurers paid $1.5 billion in travel insurance benefits. (CLHIA, 2025 Factbook)

Who it's for

• Families planning a trip outside Canada, including a short visit to the United States
• People who spend the winter months outside Canada (often called snowbirds)
• Students studying outside Canada, and families reviewing travel medical options alongside any school coverage
• Families in Barrhaven or Ottawa whose relatives or friends are visiting from abroad

How Sam helps

Sam is an independent licensed life and health insurance agent. He compares travel medical options from several insurers and explains what is covered, in plain language. Coverage for a condition you already have is not automatic. Insurers usually ask about your health, and many policies only cover a condition that has stayed the same for a set period. He does not represent every insurer. You decide what fits.

Let's look at your options

If you'd like to look at travel medical insurance, you can ask for a quote or book a time to talk it through. There's no pressure either way.