Sun, sand, surf. Mountains, adventure tourism, backpacking. While everyone’s definition of a vacation is different, no one imagines it ending with a stack of medical bills.

Did you know the average cost per day in a US hospital is about $3,000167? And if you need hospital care in another Canadian province, you could still face significant out-of-pocket expenses, as provincial coverage may not pay the full amount2. The cost to be transported home by air ambulance can exceed $10,0003.

Manitoba’s provincial health insurance only covers a set daily rate, typically between $280 and $570 per day if you are hospitalized outside the province, leaving you responsible for any excess charges