Health Insurance for Canadians Living Abroad
Canadians are used to having their health costs taken care of. After all, Canadian universal healthcare is funded by taxpayers and administered by the provinces.
Many Canadians have been further insulated from the sticker shock of healthcare thanks to employer-provided supplemental insurance. Supplemental insurance covers everything from the costs of prescription drugs to wellness care such as physiotherapy and massage therapy. Unfortunately, this high standard of healthcare does not apply to Canadians abroad when they move overseas for a new job or other reasons. Canadian expat insurance and related healthcare issues are more complex than meets the eye.
So, what kind of expatriate medical insurance coverage do Canadians need when living out of the country? It depends on how long you will be living outside the country.
Canadian healthcare coverage expires in 6 to 8 months after moving overseas (though there are exceptions for students and other special groups) because your coverage is contingent on your residency in your province.
Depending on your expected timeline, you will need supplemental healthcare insurance to cover areas not included in your provincial healthcare plan or replacement insurance coverage. Both work to protect you if you become ineligible for Canadian healthcare insurance due to the duration of the trip.
Canadians are used to having their health costs taken care of. After all, Canadian universal healthcare is funded by taxpayers and administered by the provinces.
Many Canadians have been further insulated from the sticker shock of healthcare thanks to employer-provided supplemental insurance. Supplemental insurance covers everything from the costs of prescription drugs to wellness care such as physiotherapy and massage therapy. Unfortunately, this high standard of healthcare does not apply to Canadians abroad when they move overseas for a new job or other reasons. As such, Canadian expat insurance and related healthcare issues are more complex than meets the eye.
So, what kind of expat health insurance coverage do Canadians need when living abroad? It depends on how long you will be living outside the country.
Canadian healthcare coverage expires in 6 to 8 months after moving overseas (though there are exceptions for students and other special groups) because your coverage is contingent on your residency in your province.
Depending on your expected timeline, you will need supplemental healthcare insurance to cover areas not included in your provincial health care plan or replacement insurance coverage. Both works to keep you protected if you become ineligible for Canadian healthcare insurance due to the duration of the trip.
Best Medical Insurance Plans for Canadians Abroad
There are several international health insurance plans for Canadians living abroad. We have reviewed most of them and have come up with the following options that will best meet the needs of most Canadian expats.
The Cigna Global Health plan is an excellent option for Canadians out of the country due to its flexible design and pricing. Cigna provides an exceptional level of service, and you will have access to leading doctors and hospitals throughout the world.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Another great option for Canadians abroad is the William Russell SilverLite insurance plan. William Russell is a well-known and trusted provider of global medical insurance. This plan would be an excellent option for Canadians living in Europe.
William Russell Health Insurance
- William Russell plans cover you internationally, both in the country you reside in and wherever you are traveling to (addons required for USA)
- Their network includes 40,000 hospitals around the world.
- Plans have comprehensive cancer coverage, including genome testing.
The Best Insurance Plans for Canadians in the US
If you plan to be an expat in America, note that the US government will not require you to obtain a health insurance plan. However, the cost of getting medical service in the US is prohibitive even among its peers. You may even spend your savings if you plan to foot the whole bill straight from your pocket.
Read Also: How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the USA?
Due to the high medical cost in the country, we strongly advise obtaining insurance to cover your needs. We recommend two US health insurance for Canadians provided by private insurers known for their excellent service.
An excellent option for insurance for Canadians in the US is the GeoBlue Xplorer health insurance plan. The Xplorer plan provides access to the highly regarded Blue Cross / Blue Shield network of hospitals and doctors in the USA, a premium international network of providers, and excellent customer service and benefits.
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
If you intend to stay in the US for quite some time, the affordable health insurances for Canadians living abroad that you can get are the IMG Bronze and Silver plans. They are popular among Canadians abroad looking to get basic coverage without breaking the bank. Both the Silver and Bronze plans provide basic emergency care coverage suitable for those on a budget.
If you plan to immigrate to the US, probably with your family, you need a more comprehensive insurance plan. IMG offers Gold and Platinum plans that are highly recommended options for health insurance for Canadians living abroad.
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and additional optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
For Shorter Trips (less than one year) to Canada: Canadian Travel Insurance
You Cannot Count on Your Provincial Health Insurance Plan
Many Canadian expatriates are surprised to learn that their provincial health insurance does not provide comprehensive coverage when they are out of their country. While many provinces provide a minor amount of reimbursement, it is often just a tiny fraction of the medical bill. We are talking about a $50 refund for an emergency room visit that may cost thousands!
If you live overseas for an extended period, you will no longer be eligible for Canadian health coverage. We strongly recommend an global medical plan for all expatriates because this will provide both global and local coverage and benefits.
Related: Health Insurance in Canada
Prepare to Pay for Previously Free Services
Another healthcare cost surprise? Many services are provided free of charge in Canada through provincial health care plans or municipal public health departments – like flu shot clinics and breastfeeding support centers. These services are costly in other countries.
As a Canadian expat living, working or traveling overseas, you will not have access to many government-funded healthcare services. Therefore, you need extra health care insurance to bridge the gap.
A comprehensive global health plan can help you get access to these medical services. You have to pay for these benefits, though, instead of getting them for free, which you may be used to in your home country.
The Government Agrees: You Need Out of Country Health Insurance
The recommendation for extra health care insurance for expats is one that the Canadian government wholeheartedly supports:
“No matter how long you will be living abroad, be sure to purchase the best health insurance you can afford. It is one of the most important investments you can make as an expatriate. Make sure you understand the terms of your policy. It should cover your personal health needs and those of any dependents. Do not expect your provincial or territorial health plan to cover the costs if you get sick or are injured while living abroad. Out-of-country medical bills can be steep and result in a heavy financial burden. There is nothing worse than being ill in a foreign country while worrying about spiraling medical costs.”
We offer numerous health insurance for Canadians living abroad that will help take your worries away from getting hospitalized or receiving proper medical attention.
Health Insurance Needs Only Canadian Expatriates Can Relate To
It generally takes three months to have your health care reinstated upon your return to Canada. You must prove that you are now a full-time resident again to receive the benefits you used to enjoy before going overseas. You must check to see if your replacement healthcare insurance will offer coverage during this period.
When you return home, do not expect your local coverage to resume immediately. With the help of Global Medical plans, you get around six months of coverage in your home country for each policy year. A global medical plan will help keep you covered while you wait to be tagged as a permanent resident in Canada again.
Another thing that Canadians abroad often ask is whether it is possible to access healthcare services in a language other than English. The good news is that many healthcare insurance plans proudly advertise that they include access to English and non-English speaking support staff.
But if you are one of the millions of Francophone Canadians or Canadians who speak English as a second language, having a translator may not be enough. It is one thing to navigate life in English when you are traveling. However, it is a different story to rely on your second or third language in the middle of a healthcare crisis.
When getting out-of-country medical insurance, ask about bilingual or multilingual services for the best possible care.
Author / Editor: Joe Cronin, Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance. Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter.
