International Health Insurance in Canada for Expats

Most Canadian provinces impose a waiting period of up to three months before new residents become eligible for provincial health coverage. During this period, you are not covered by the public system and are responsible for all medical costs yourself. The waiting period applies to new immigrants, Americans moving to Canada on work permits or permanent residency, and in some cases returning Canadians. Ontario has suspended its three-month waiting period as of 2025, but all other provinces with waiting periods maintain the standard three-month wait. International health insurance is essential during this period to protect against unexpected medical costs.

While provincial Medicare covers hospital stays and physician visits, there are significant gaps. Prescription drugs outside hospital, dental care, vision care, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment and many other services are not covered by most provincial plans. These gaps are the primary reason many residents of Canada – both Canadians and expats – hold private supplemental insurance. For Americans moving to Canada, international health insurance can fill these gaps and provide cover that works both within Canada and for visits back to the US.

Americans arriving in Canada on a work permit are generally eligible for provincial healthcare once the waiting period is complete and they register with their provincial health authority. Eligibility and the process vary by province. During the waiting period, private insurance is essential. Some employers provide group benefits that include supplemental health insurance, which can cover dental, vision and prescription drugs alongside provincial coverage. ExpatInsure can help you find cover for the waiting period and assess whether supplemental insurance is needed for your situation.

No. US Medicare does not provide coverage in Canada in most circumstances. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited emergency cover abroad and certain Medigap policies include emergency foreign travel coverage, but these are designed for short trips rather than long-term living abroad. A notable consideration for Americans in Canada is that standard US insurance plans also rarely provide meaningful coverage in Canada. An international health insurance plan or a global plan that covers both Canada and the US may be the most practical solution for Americans living in Canada. ExpatInsure can help you find options suited to your situation.

Yes – for two reasons. First, it covers the waiting period before provincial coverage begins. Second, provincial Medicare does not cover dental, vision, prescription drugs, physiotherapy and many other services that Americans are accustomed to having insured. International health insurance can provide this supplemental cover, and many plans include cover for visits back to the US – something provincial Medicare does not provide. ExpatInsure can help you find the right combination of cover for your life in Canada.