Your provincial drug plan stops at the border. Here's what replaces it.
Get a QuoteIf you take regular medications, the logistics of a long stay abroad come down to one question: will you have enough, and who pays for it? Provincial plans don't cover prescriptions outside Canada, and travel insurance has specific rules about drug coverage.
Almost nothing. Provincial prescription drug plans (Pharmacare, ODB, and others) don't cover medications purchased outside Canada. You're paying out of pocket — or relying on your travel insurance.
Emergency travel insurance covers prescription drugs needed to treat an emergency — not your regular maintenance medications. Some long-stay plans include a prescription refill benefit, typically up to a 30-day supply.
Carry a doctor's note and original packaging for any controlled substances. Some medications that are legal in Canada are restricted or banned in other countries. Check before you travel — customs agents take this seriously.
Most snowbirds bring a supply from Canada and arrange refills. But if you're away for months, you'll need a plan for ongoing prescriptions — either through your travel insurance's refill benefit or by having a Canadian pharmacy ship (where legally permitted).
Long-stay plans include prescription refill benefits so you're not paying out of pocket for months abroad.
Get a Quote Learn more about snowbird coverageOne night in a Canadian ICU can top $14,000 — without coverage, that's on you.
Cost reality