How much does an emergency room visit cost in Canada for visitors?

For non-residents, a single ER visit typically costs $800 to $1,200 CAD, not including physician fees, diagnostic imaging, or medication. If hospital admission is required (i.e. you have to stay overnight), daily ward rates range from $3,800 to $5,000 CAD, while Intensive Care Unit treatment can exceed $10,000 to $15,000 per day.

Without private insurance, visitors are responsible for 100% of these costs.

As a Canadian digital insurance provider specializing in Visitors to Canada and Super Visa coverage, Goose Insurance regularly sees hospital claims ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 for short stays involving cardiac events, fractures, or respiratory complications, to name a few.

Is Healthcare Free for Tourists in Canada?

Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system covers Canadian citizens and permanent residents through provincial health plans. Tourists, Super Visa holders, new immigrants in waiting periods, and many temporary workers are not covered.

Without a provincial healthcare card, hospitals bill non-residents at full cost recovery rates, often referred to as enhanced rates. These rates are significantly higher than what residents see because they reflect the true cost of care.

If you are visiting family or hosting parents on a Super Visa, you are financially responsible for any medical treatment received in Canada.

The Breakdown: Estimated Costs for Non-Residents (2026)

Based on publicly available hospital authority rate schedules in major provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, non-residents can expect the following approximate charges:

Service

Estimated Cost (CAD)

Emergency Room Entry Fee

$800 - $1,200

Standard Hospital Ward (Per Day)

$3,800 - $5,000

Intensive Care Unit (Per Day)

$10,000 - $15,000

Ambulance (Ground Transport)

$500 - $1,100

MRI or CT Scan

$1,700 - $2,600

Specialist Physician Consultation

$400 - $800

_{* Note: These prices are estimates. Each hospital authority sets its own rates, and physician fees are often billed separately from the hospital facility fee.}

Why One Night in a Canadian Hospital Costs $5,000+

When a non-resident is admitted, the "Daily Ward Rate" includes your bed, nursing care, and basic meals. However, any "extras", such as surgery, anesthesia, specialized medications, or even crutches, are added to your final bill.

For example, a visitor suffering a heart attack or a serious car accident could easily face a bill exceeding $50,000 within just three days of care.

The Goose Advantage: Why We Are Canada's Choice for Visitors

Goose is a digital-first provider which allows us to strip away the overhead of traditional brokers. This makes Goose up to 50% cheaper than many competitors without sacrificing the quality of your coverage.

Flexible Payment Plans:

Most Super Visa insurance policies require a massive upfront payment of $2,000+. Goose is a market leader in affordability, allowing you to pay for your policy in 11 monthly installments, making it easier to manage your family's budget.

Up to $1 Million in Coverage: 

While the government requires a $100,000 minimum for Super Visas, medical costs can quickly exhaust that limit. Goose allows you to upgrade to $1 million in coverage for total peace of mind.

Coverage for "Stable" Pre-existing Conditions:

Many visitors are parents or grandparents with managed conditions like high blood pressure. Goose provides coverage for these conditions, provided they have been stable for 90 or 180 days (depending on age), ensuring they aren't left unprotected.

Get Covered in 60 Seconds: 

You don’t need to call a broker or wait days for a quote. With the Goose Insurance App, you can secure a policy instantly from your phone before the plane even lands..