A new survey by RBC Insurance® and Ipsos Reid suggests that Canadians continue to potentially expose themselves to the high costs of the U.S. healthcare system. The survey reports that 37 per cent of Canadians never purchase travel insurance when vacationing or taking day trips to the United States, a country where medical costs are among the highest in the world.

 

In fact, a four-day stay in a U.S. hospital for an appendectomy could cost US$39,400, with a government health insurance plan (GHIP) typically only covering CDN$1,600, on average. A one-day stay in a U.S. hospital for a broken arm and wrist could cost US$32,600, with only CDN$400 on average covered by a GHIP.

 

The survey also reports that 55 per cent of Canadian travellers never purchase travel insurance when they travel outside their home province but within Canada. Sixty-two per cent of Canadians believe they don't need to purchase travel insurance when travelling to another province within Canada because they believe their provincial health plans will cover their medical costs.

 

However, government health insurance plans may limit reimbursement for expenses such as land and air ambulance services and X-rays for travel within Canada. An air ambulance with a full medical team travelling from Calgary to Toronto, for example, can cost $28,000 and is not covered by a GHIP.

 

For more information, ask about RBC Insurance Company of Canada next time you're making travel arrangements, go online to http://www.rbcinsurance.com/, call 1-800-565-3129 or visit a local RBC branch.