Health-care coverage for non-residents

This information is for non-residents who arrive at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for medical care without prior approval from SickKids through the International Patient Program (such as through the Emergency Department), and who do not have OHIP or other Canadian provincial/territorial coverage. 

If your child needs urgent or emergency care, they will get the required care, but families must know what is covered and what they need to pay for. 

Who is considered an international patient?

Your child may be considered an international patient if your child and/or the accompanying parent is a non-resident as outlined below: 

• Live outside Canada at the time they receive health care, or 
• Are visiting, studying, or working in Canada temporarily, or 
• Live in Canada for only part of the year, or 
• Previously lived in Canada but now live outside Canada. 
• Were born in Canada to parents who are visitors in Canada. 

SickKids is not funded by the government to provide care to non-residents. Therefore, non-residents must pay for the health-care services they receive. 

If these criteria do not apply to your child, they may be eligible for health-care coverage. Learn more about different types of health-care coverage.

What services require payment?

Non-residents do not have public health coverage through OHIP or other Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal health insurance plans.

If your child:

• Visits the Emergency Department, you will be required to pay for: the emergency visit, physician fees and consults, diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs) and/or tests or procedures ordered as part of care.
• Is admitted to hospital, you will be required to pay: a daily hospital rate (based on the type of care required), physician fees, diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs) and/or tests, procedures, and other hospital services.

Before care is provided all services must be paid for directly by the patient or family:  

• Make a pre-payment for the estimated cost of care or 
• Provide a Letter of Guarantee (LOG)

Payment requirements

At arrival

Please tell the information clerk when you arrive if your child does not have OHIP or other Canadian health coverage.

How payment works 

• You may be required to pay some or all charges up front 
• Costs are based on the care your child requires 
• If ongoing care or a hospital admission is needed, payment arrangements will be discussed with you. 
• SickKids accepts various forms of payment. Visit our Pay Your Bill page to learn more. 

What if I have private or travel insurance?

If you have private, travel, or other insurance: 

• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to confirm coverage and open a claim 
• Once a claim is open, the Patient Accounts team at SickKids can work with you — and where permitted, directly with your insurance company — to apply coverage to the hospital charges.
• You may still be required to pay some or all charges up front and submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement 
• You are responsible for any costs not covered by your insurance. 
• You can reach SickKids’ Patients Accounts team by calling 416-813-8817 or emailing international.patientaccounts@sickkids.ca. 

How this is different from care for patients supported through the International Patient Program

• The International Patient Program supports access to specialty care for eligible patients that were referred by the child's physician in their home country.
• Referrals are accepted and approved through the program and the team supports arrival to SickKids.
• Non-residents who arrive through the Emergency Department are considered unplanned international patients.
• These cases follow different administrative and billing processes that are managed by SickKids Patient Accounts.

Questions or need help?

For questions about coverage or payment, contact the Patient Accounts Business Office. Our team can help explain charges, payment options, and insurance processes. 

Phone: 416-813-7047
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Email: business.office@sickkids.ca