Does my Canadian OHIP or provincial health insurance cover me in the USA?

Barely. OHIP (Ontario) reimburses only $400 CAD/day for inpatient US hospital stays and $50 CAD for emergency outpatient care — amounts that haven't been updated since 1999. BC's MSP, Alberta's AHCIP, and most other provincial plans offer similarly inadequate US emergency coverage. A single night in a US hospital averages $11,000 USD. You need a dedicated US health insurance plan.

I'm Canadian — do I really need to buy separate insurance for studying in the US?

Yes. Your provincial health card is not accepted by US hospitals and the reimbursement amounts are too low to matter. Additionally, most US universities require proof of US-compatible health insurance with a minimum of $100,000 in coverage and a US PPO network — requirements your Canadian card cannot meet.

Can I use my Canadian travel insurance (from RBC, Manulife, or TD) for studying in the US?

Canadian travel insurance plans (e.g., from RBC, TD, Manulife, or Sun Life) are typically designed for short trips (up to 180 days) and exclude coverage for students enrolling in a US educational program. Read the fine print — most exclude 'study or work' purposes. A dedicated international student plan is required.

How do I maintain provincial health insurance while studying in the US?

Each province has different rules. Ontario students can maintain OHIP if they return to Ontario periodically. BC students on longer absences may lose MSP eligibility. Check with your home province's health authority. Regardless of provincial coverage, you still need a US-compatible student plan while enrolled.

What's the best health insurance for Canadian students at US universities?

IMG Student Health Advantage is our top recommendation — it includes US PPO network access, mental health coverage, preventive care, and prescription drugs, and is accepted at most US universities for health insurance waivers. Typical cost: $35–$45/month.

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Rank #4 origin country

27,876

Canada students currently studying in the US

Health Insurance for Canadian Students in the USA

OHIP pays $400 CAD/day. A US hospital visit averages $11,000. Canadian students are one of the most underinsured groups at US universities — here's how to fix that.

Get My Quote →📞 (832) 856-1704

Typical Annual Cost Comparison

University Health Plan

Auto-enrolled if no waiver

$1,500–$2,500/year

Tower Hill Private Plan

Equivalent or better coverage

$360–$480/year

✓ Save up to $2,100/year vs. university plan

Why Canadian Health Insurance Doesn't Work in the US

⚠️ Provincial health insurance (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP, RAMQ, etc.)

Canadian provincial health insurance (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC, AHCIP in Alberta, RAMQ in Quebec) covers care only in your home province and has severely limited or no coverage in the US. Ontario's OHIP pays only $400 CAD/day for US hospital stays — a fraction of typical US hospital costs of $5,000–$20,000/day. Quebec's RAMQ offers slightly better emergency coverage but still caps at very low amounts.

Your Canadian insurance card is simply not accepted at US hospitals. US healthcare billing is entirely different — hospitals bill at full "chargemaster" rates to uninsured patients, which can be 3–10x higher than what insurance companies negotiate.

What Your US University Requires

Canadian citizens studying in the US on F-1 visas are subject to the same university insurance requirements as international students. Despite being close neighbors, US hospitals do not accept Canadian provincial health cards.

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$100,000+ medical coverage

Per accident or illness

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$50,000+ evacuation

Emergency transport

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$25,000+ repatriation

Return home if needed

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Deductible under $500

Per accident/illness

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Mental health benefits

Counseling & psychiatric

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US PPO network access

In-network care

Top US Universities for Canadian Students

1Columbia University

2Harvard University

3Massachusetts Institute of Technology

4New York University

5Stanford University

Tower Hill provides waiver letters accepted at all major US universities. Contact support@towerhillcorp.com with your university's specific waiver requirements.

Compare Plans for Canadian Students

All plans are F-1 visa compliant, include US PPO network access, and are accepted as health insurance waivers at most US universities.

⭐ Most Recommended for Canadian Students

Most University-Accepted

IMG Global

Student Health Advantage

~$35/month

Accepted at 500+ US universities as a health insurance waiver. US PPO network, mental health, preventive care, prescription drugs.

✓F-1 & J-1 visa compliant

✓US PPO network

✓Mental health & counseling

✓Preventive care & vaccines

✓Prescription drug coverage

✓University waiver-ready

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Best Price-to-Coverage

WorldTrips

Atlas America Student

~$30/month

Competitive pricing with strong US hospital network. Popular among budget-conscious international students who still want comprehensive coverage.

✓US PPO network access

✓Emergency medical

✓Mental health benefits

✓Telemedicine included

✓Sports & activities covered

✓Semester or annual

Get a Quote →

Most Affordable

Trawick International

Safe Travels USA Student

~$25/month

Lowest price point that meets most US university minimum requirements. Ideal for students needing basic compliance.

✓F-1 compliant

✓Emergency medical

✓Emergency evacuation

✓Repatriation of remains

✓Acute onset pre-existing

✓No deductible option

Get a Quote →

Navigating US Healthcare as a Canadian Student

Many Canadians are surprised to learn their provincial health card has almost no value in the US. The $400 CAD/day OHIP emergency benefit sounds helpful but won't cover a $30,000 ER bill. Canadian students are one of the most underinsured groups at US universities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Ready to Get Covered?

Get an instant quote for Canadian students studying in the US. University waiver letter included.

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