Long-Term Travel and Your Canadian Health Coverage: How to Protect Yourself on Trips Longer Than Six Months

Travel has never been more accessible. Canadians are taking extended sabbaticals, backpacking through multiple continents, escaping the winter, or embracing digital nomad lifestyles. But long-term travel comes with a specific risk that most Canadians never think about until they’re already abroad: the possibility of losing their provincial Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) while outside the country.

This problem is real, and it affects anyone travelling for more than six or seven months at a time. Fortunately, the solution is clear once you understand how GHIP works, how travel insurance interacts with it, and the steps travelers can take to remain fully protected.

This article breaks everything down in practical, plain language so long-term travelers can make informed decisions before leaving Canada.

Understanding GHIP Outside Canada

Every Canadian resident is covered by a provincial or territorial health plan: AHCIP in Alberta, OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, and so on. These plans provide strong coverage inside Canada. Outside the country, it’s different.

GHIP provides very little coverage abroad. In many provinces, the reimbursement amount for foreign medical services is capped at a small fraction of Canadian rates. A hospital stay in the United States, for example, can cost thousands per day, while your GHIP may pay only a few dozen dollars. Travelers who rely only on provincial coverage expose themselves to enormous financial risk.

This is why travel medical insurance exists. It fills the gap, covering emergency treatment, hospitalizations, diagnostic tests, ambulance services, and medically necessary evacuations.

But there is a catch.

The Hidden Risk: GHIP Eligibility Can Lapse During Long Trips

Provincial health plans require residents to be physically present in their home province for a certain number of days per year. Typically, this ranges from six to seven months, depending on the province or territory.

If a traveler exceeds the allowed absence time without notifying their GHIP provider or applying for an extension, their GHIP eligibility may be suspended.

Losing GHIP while abroad creates two serious problems:

1. No provincial coverage at all, even for minimal reimbursement amounts.
2. Most Canadian travel insurance policies require active GHIP coverage throughout the trip. If GHIP lapses, the private policy can become invalid or provide drastically reduced benefits.

For long-term travelers, maintaining GHIP is not optional. It is the foundation that travel insurance sits on.

High-Level Overview of GHIP Absence Allowances

All provinces and territories have their own detailed rules, but the following table provides a high-level view of typical absence allowances across the country.

This is not meant to replace official provincial guidance. It is simply a general reference to help travelers understand the typical limits involved.

Travelers should always verify with their provincial plan before departure.

The Recommended Protocol for Canadians Travelling Long-Term

Long-term travel is absolutely possible, and many Canadians do it safely every year. The key is following a clear process before leaving.

Step 1: Contact Your Provincial Health Insurance Provider

Before booking flights, travelers should notify their GHIP provider and explain the length of the planned absence. Most provinces offer Temporary Absence applications or similar processes that allow residents to maintain health coverage for extended periods:

• Many provinces allow up to 24 months of continuous GHIP coverage if pre-approved.
• This process often involves a simple form and proof of intent to return to Canada.
• Without this step, GHIP may lapse automatically, even if the traveler intended to come back.

This one administrative task prevents coverage interruptions and protects access to travel insurance.

Step 2: Purchase Emergency Travel Medical Insurance for the Entire Trip

After confirming GHIP eligibility, the traveler needs a travel medical insurance policy that matches the full duration of the trip. Many insurers offer single-trip policies covering up to 180, 212, or 365 days.

A proper emergency medical policy should include:

• Hospitalization
• Emergency physician services
• Surgery and diagnostics
• Prescription medications related to the emergency
• Ambulance services
• Air evacuation or repatriation
• 24/7 global assistance

Buy one policy that covers the entire absence rather than multiple short policies. Continuity matters.

Step 3: Keep Documentation

Travelers should carry:

• Their provincial health card
• A copy of their GHIP extension approval
• Their travel insurance policy and emergency contact information

If a claim occurs, insurers may request proof that GHIP was active.

Step 4: Avoid Policy Gaps Mid-Trip

Some travelers purchase travel insurance for a shorter portion of the trip and try to extend it later. It is generally better to secure one continuous policy from the start.

If you experience a gap in coverage, insurers may require medical questionnaires or refuse mid-trip extensions entirely depending on responses to medical questions.

Step 5: Upon Return, Reconfirm Residency If Needed

Most provinces automatically resume regular coverage once the resident returns. Still, if they were on an approved temporary absence, they may need to notify the province that they are back.

What Travel Insurance Covers for Long-Term Travelers

Travel medical insurance is designed to protect against unexpected emergencies, not routine or elective care. For long-term travelers, coverage typically includes:

• Acute illness (infection, fever, food poisoning)
• Accidental injuries (falls, fractures)
• Emergency surgeries
• Hospital admissions
• Emergency dental treatment for injury
• Repatriation to Canada if medically necessary

It does not cover:

• General checkups
• Refilling regular prescriptions
• Elective or preventative care
• Known medical conditions that were unstable before travel

Travelers should review the policy wording carefully and understand their obligations.

Who Should Pay Particular Attention

Some groups are more likely to run into GHIP issues because of their lifestyle or plans:

• Snowbirds wintering abroad
• Digital nomads or remote workers travelling for extended periods
• Backpackers and world travellers visiting multiple countries
• Students taking gap years or studying abroad
• Canadians visiting family overseas for long durations

All of these groups should proactively secure GHIP continuity before leaving.

Common Mistakes Canadians Make

Even frequent travelers sometimes overlook how GHIP interacts with long-term travel. The most common errors include:

• Forgetting to notify the provincial health plan before leaving
• Assuming GHIP remains active automatically
• Buying travel insurance for only part of the trip
• Expecting insurers to extend coverage mid-trip
• Assuming travel insurance can replace GHIP entirely
• Believing GHIP will cover large medical bills abroad
• Not carrying written proof of GHIP extension

Avoiding these mistakes prevents financial and administrative problems later.

How Garrett Agencies Helps Long-Term Travelers

Garrett Agencies works with Canadians to ensure that long-term travel is safe, fully insured, and compliant with provincial requirements. As an independent insurance brokerage, Garrett Agencies can:

• Explain how GHIP requirements apply to each traveler’s situation
• Help travelers navigate extended absence requirements
• Compare travel medical insurance options from multiple providers
• Recommend policies suitable for long-term, multi-country trips
• Provide support if the traveler needs to make a claim

For Canadians planning extended time abroad, having expert guidance can make the difference between a smooth experience and a preventable coverage failure.

If you are preparing for an extended trip and want to make sure you are fully protected, Garrett Agencies can help you understand your options and choose the right coverage for your travel plans.

Final Thoughts

Long-term travel offers unforgettable opportunities, but it also requires careful planning when it comes to health coverage. GHIP does not automatically remain active once a Canadian leaves the country for extended periods, and travel insurance relies on GHIP being in good standing.

The good news is that with the right preparation, Canadians can travel for eight months, a year, or even longer while remaining fully protected. The steps are simple: notify GHIP, secure comprehensive travel medical insurance, and carry proper documentation.

For guidance on choosing the best travel medical insurance for extended trips, reach out to Garrett Agencies. Their experienced advisors can walk travelers through every step and help ensure they remain protected, no matter how far they roam.