Island Health is chasing down $15 million in unpaid medical bills from out-of-country patients.
The region’s hospitals are seeing a steady stream of out-of-country customers, with more than $25 million billed to non-residents over the last two years, according to numbers provided by Island Health this week.
The health authority posted the most recent fee schedule, which includes new pricing due to inflation, in all area hospitals July 1.
It’s easy to see how out-of-country visitors can run up a big tab quickly.
A trip to the emergency room starts at $990 per visit, while a night’s stay in a standard ward is $4,585. A night in the intensive-care unit, critical-care unit or cardiac care unit will set someone back $12,825 daily.
Surgical fees for procedures that don’t require a hospital stay range from $3,950 to $14,945 per visit, while a CT scan costs $2,165 per body area and an MRI is $2,390 per body area.
Maternity patients who aren’t Canadian residents are required to pay deposits of $10,000 for a surrogate birth, $25,000 for a natural birth and $35,000 for a Cesarean procedure. If the birth does not happen during the visit, the deposit is refunded.
Island Health spokesman Andrew Leyne said rates are set provincially on a cost-recovery basis only, and are reviewed annually to adjust for inflation.
The health authority could not provide a breakdown of where most out-of-country patients come from, or how many were covered by insurance.
Daniel Durazo, U.S. spokesman for insurance giant Allianz, said most Americans buy travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies and emergency medical transportation.
A few pre-pandemic reports suggested that fewer than 40 per cent of American travellers carry travel medical insurance, but Durazo said that is likely on the rise.
“We’ve found that, especially post-pandemic, Americans have become increasingly aware of the need to purchase travel insurance.”
In a recent American Automobile Association survey, almost a third of respondents said they were more likely to purchase travel insurance due to the pandemic.
Durazo said the cost of insurance varies, but a 40-year-old traveller insuring a $3,000 US trip would pay $167 US for Allianz’s most popular package, which includes $50,000 US in emergency medical/dental coverage and $500,000 US in emergency transportation coverage.
Manulife notes in B.C., the flat rate for a ground ambulance is $848, while a helicopter will charge $4,394 per hour. It also noted that on average, a day in a Canadian hospital can cost visitors between $3,000 and $5,700.
When Island Health seeks payment from an out-of-country patient, it starts with phone calls and invoices, working with the patient or insurance company, Leyne said.
When necessary, it offers payment plans. Once all other avenues are exhausted, the debt is sent to an external collection agency, Leyne said.
The provincial Medical Services Plan has billing processes in place for Canadians from other provinces and territories.
Out-of-province Canadian residents only need to present their provincial health services card and Island Health will bill their province directly.
“The vast majority of people visiting Island Health emergency departments are not billed,” Leyne said, adding that anyone who needs emergency medical care will receive it.
