• Out of Country Emergency Health Services
• Ambulance
• Snowbirds
• Students Studying Abroad
• Employees Travelling for Business on a Regular Basis

Emergency health services are those given in connection with an acute*, unexpected condition, illness, disease or injury that arises outside Canada and requires immediate treatment.

* Treatment for a short period of time in which a patient is treated for a brief but severe episode of an illness, disease, condition or injury.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) only covers emergency health services at very limited rates. For example, an outpatient visit to a U.S. emergency room may cost thousands of dollars for the duration of your care, however OHIP will only reimburse up to a total of $50.00 CDN per day for this service regardless of the severity of the situation. If you plan to travel outside of Ontario, it is strongly recommended that you obtain additional private medical insurance and fully understand what your policy covers.

For additional information about travelling outside Canada please refer to the ministry's Fact Sheet "Travelling Outside Canada"

Ambulance service refers to the use of a land, water, or flying vehicle for transporting sick or injured people to and from places of treatment for an illness or injury.

Ambulance services are not covered Out of Country (OOC). If you plan to travel outside of Ontario, it is strongly recommended that you obtain additional private medical insurance and fully understand what your policy covers.

For information about Ambulances, please refer to the ministry's Fact Sheet  "OHIP : Ambulance Services Billing"

Snowbird refers to an Ontario OHIP subscriber who winters in warmer locales, such as the Sunbelt region of the southern United States or the Caribbean, or the Southern Hemisphere.

If you plan to travel outside of Ontario, it is strongly recommended that you obtain additional private medical insurance and fully understand what your policy covers.

For information about travelling outside Canada please refer to the ministry's Fact Sheet "Travelling Outside Canada"

Student refers to an Ontario OHIP subscriber who leaves or plans to leave Ontario to pursue an accredited full-time learning or study opportunity

If you plan to attend school outside of Ontario, it is strongly recommended that you obtain additional private medical insurance and fully understand what your policy covers.

For information about travelling outside Canada please refer to the ministry's Fact Sheet "Travelling Outside Canada"

Business Traveler refers to an Ontario OHIP subscriber who leaves Ontario for the sole purpose of work or employment.

If your job requires you to leave Ontario, it is strongly recommended that you obtain additional private medical insurance and fully understand what your policy covers.

For information about travelling outside Canada please refer to the ministry's Fact Sheet "Travelling Outside Canada"

Accountability Management Branch, Provider Payment Programs – Out of Country Program
Health System Accountability and Performance Division
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
370 Select Drive, P.O. Box 168
Kingston, ON K7M 8T4
Tel: 1-888-359-8807
E-mail: OOCPriorApprovalInq.moh@ontario.ca
Fax: 1-613-536-3184

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