11/23/2025
An Ontario man was hit with a $12,483 air ambulance bill after being flown from Medicine Hat, Alberta, to Calgary following a heart attack and an angiogram — despite being told he was “covered.” He assumed his provincial health coverage would handle the cost, but later discovered that inter-provincial ambulance transport (especially air ambulance) is not covered under the Canada Health Act in the way many people think.
Alberta Health Services confirms that ground and air ambulance services are not insured under the Canada Health Act. Because of this gap, Canadians traveling within Canada can face large emergency transport bills. Experts quoted in the article strongly recommend having supplemental “travel within Canada” health insurance — coverage that often costs less than $1 a day.
Why this highlights the importance of good insurance:
• Assumptions can be risky: Many Canadians assume their provincial health plan covers all emergency medical services — but that’s not always true, especially for ambulance transport across provincial lines.
• Transport costs add up fast: Air ambulances are expensive. Without proper coverage, what seems like “standard” health care in an emergency can become a massive out-of-pocket cost.
• Supplemental insurance is very valuable: Having additional travel or inter-provincial medical insurance can provide crucial protection, even if you’re still in Canada.
• Peace of mind: Knowing you’re covered for emergencies like this means less stress during a crisis.
Of course, travel insurance while travelling with in Canada is very important.
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Narinder Bhangu
Senior Financial Associate.
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