TRAVELLING
WITHIN
CANADA?
What you should know
This brochure is not a statement of the acts or regulaons, but is designed to give a general
outline of health care coverage when travelling outside the Northwest Territories. It is for
your convenience only and is not a legal document. All informaon contained herein is
subject to current provisions of the Medical Care Act, Hospital Insurance and Health and
Social Services Administraon Act and their regulaons.
If you would like this informaon in another ocial language, contact us at 1-855-846-9601.
Si vous voulez ces renseignements dans une autre langue ocielle, communiquez avec
nous au 1-855-846-9601.
Before you travel
Find out what the NWT Health Care Plan covers
before you travel. The brochure Your Health
provides additional information
concerning health care coverage. Also check out
the brochure They
can be found on the Health and Social Services
website at www.hss.gov.nt.ca.
Travelling
Outside NWT...
THE NWT HEALTH CARE PLAN LOOKS
AFTER YOUR HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL
EXPENSES. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU ARE
TRAVELLING OUTSIDE OF THE NWT TO
OTHER PROVINCES, YOU MAY NOT BE
COVERED FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES.
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance helps pay for unexpected costs
you may incur when you are travelling. These can
include emergency medical costs, lost baggage,
cancelling your trip and accidental death insurance.
Since travel insurance plans may not cover all items,
you should ask the insurance agency questions
about which plan meets your needs and what the
restrictions and limitations are.
Where can I get travel insurance?
• You may have group health insurance through
your employer, union or professional association
that might cover out of territory medical and
hospital expenses. Check to see if it does and
what the limitations are.
• You can purchase coverage through companies
offering individual travel insurance (e.g., insurance
or travel agency, auto club, bank, etc.).
• Your credit card may provide some protection.
Check to see what it covers and be aware of any
restrictions (i.e. length of coverage, does the ticket
need to be purchased through the credit card, etc.).
www.hss.gov.nt.ca
Applying for
reimbursement
If you have paid up front for medically required
doctor or hospital services, complete a personal
reimbursement form, which can be found at
www.hss.gov.nt.ca.
Only medically required services will be considered
for reimbursement.
Note:
•
•
•
•
But Within Canada?
Should I buy travel insurance if I am travelling inside Canada?
The NWT has an agreement with provinces and territories to have doctor visits and hospital
care for medically required services billed directly to the Department of Health and Social
Services. In most cases, you rarely see the bill. However, you may be required to pay up front
for medical services provided in Quebec. Some doctors in other provinces/territories may also
request payment up front for services provided. If you do have to pay up front, you can apply
for reimbursement.
However, some medical expenses are not covered by the NWT Health Care Plan. The plan does
not cover air and ground ambulance and any related costs if you are in an accident
or become ill while travelling outside the NWT.
Most private insurance plans cover ambulance services, prescription drugs and other additional
What should I take with me when I travel to other
provinces/territories?
Always carry your NWT health care card with you. You will be asked to produce a valid NWT
health care card before receiving health care services in other provinces. If you cannot prove
you are covered under the NWT Health Care Plan, you may be required to pay up front.
September 2017
If you are not sure what is covered or
need more informaon, please contact:
Health Services Administraon
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag #9, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 Canada
Toll-free: 1-800-661-0830 Phone: (867) 777-7400
Fax: (867) 777-3197 E-mail: hsa@gov.nt.ca
