--- title: "Toronto Parents & Super Visa Insurance Guide: ER Costs, Walk-in Clinics & Direct Billing" description: "Buying visitors to Canada insurance in Toronto/GTA: who OHIP covers, what ER and walk-in visits cost without coverage, direct billing networks and monthly Super Visa options." tag: "Local Care Guide" lang: "en-CA" slug: "toronto-parents-super-visa-insurance-guide" canonical: "https://visitorquote.com/en/articles/toronto-parents-super-visa-insurance-guide" published: "2026-10-26" updated: "2026-10-26" --- # Toronto Parents & Super Visa Insurance Guide: ER Costs, Walk-in Clinics & Direct Billing Updated 2026-10-28 · 4 min read Profile Family visitor Super Visa New immigrant Student Age Stay (days) Coverage $50K $100K $200K $500K $1M Compare now ## Overview Toronto and the GTA are the most common destination for visiting parents and Super Visa applicants. Visitors are not covered by OHIP — a single ER visit can top $1,000 before any treatment, and one hospital day can run into the thousands. Insurance is the first thing to arrange before landing. ## Who Is Covered by OHIP — and Who Is Not OHIP covers Ontario residents only: since March 2024, new permanent residents can apply on arrival with no waiting period. But parents on a TRV visitor visa or a Super Visa are not OHIP-eligible, no matter how long they stay. Super Visa holders can stay up to 5 years per entry with no provincial coverage the whole time — which is exactly why IRCC requires at least $100,000 in coverage for 1 year from a Canadian insurer, including hospitalization and repatriation. ## ER and Walk-in Clinic Costs in Toronto At major hospitals (Toronto General, Mount Sinai, Sunnybrook), a visitor ER visit commonly runs $1,000–$3,000 including registration and tests. An inpatient day costs roughly $3,000–$5,000, and ICU care $5,000–$8,000 per day. Walk-in clinics in Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Mississauga commonly charge visitors $150–$300 per visit, often with Mandarin/Cantonese-speaking staff — ideal for minor issues. Chest pain, injuries or breathing trouble go straight to the ER. Ground ambulances in Ontario are billed at full cost to non-residents, commonly $250–$1,000+; check that your plan covers ambulance transport. ## Direct Billing: Avoid a Huge Hospital Deposit Direct billing means the insurer settles with the hospital so you do not front a large deposit. GMS can pay providers directly; Destination Canada arranges direct billing via the GEM assistance network when feasible; RIMI (MSH) arranges it where possible. Whichever insurer you pick, call the 24-hour assistance centre before treatment (within 48 hours for emergencies) to open a case number — skipping this can cost you 20% out-of-pocket with some plans. ## Super Visa Parents: Monthly Plans & Refusal Refunds The Super Visa baseline is 365 days at $100,000. A higher deductible ($500–$1,000) cuts the premium, but Per Claim deductibles re-apply on every visit — for long stays prefer Per Policy plans. TuGo, Manulife (CoverMe) and 21st Century offer monthly instalments on 1-year Super Visa policies, from about $99/month (youngest age band, $0 deductible); premiums for parents 65+ are substantially higher — check the live quote. If the visa application is refused, policies cancelled before the effective date are refunded in full with the IRCC refusal letter — so buy the insurance first, then submit the visa application. ## Action Checklist - **Before landing**: compare plans by age and length of stay and buy before arrival (usually no waiting period) - **On arrival**: save the policy PDF and the assistance centre number - **If sick**: walk-in clinic for minor issues, ER for emergencies — call the assistance centre first when possible - **For claims**: keep every receipt, prescription and report; submit online within the deadline Enter your parent's age and stay length in the [comparison table](https://visitorquote.com/en/compare/) to see verified rates and terms from all 6 insurers side by side. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much does one ER visit cost in Toronto without insurance? Visitors pay out of pocket: $1,000–$3,000 for a typical ER visit at a major hospital, $3,000–$5,000 per inpatient day, and $5,000–$8,000 per ICU day. That is why $100,000 coverage is the recommended minimum. ### Do Markham or Richmond Hill clinics accept visitors without OHIP? Yes. Walk-in clinics charge visitors per visit (commonly $150–$300) and many offer Chinese-language service; they only handle minor issues — emergencies still go to the ER. ### Does Super Visa insurance have to be a full year? IRCC requires at least 1 year of validity and $100,000 minimum coverage. Configure 365 days on the first purchase, then confirm renewal options with the insurer. ### Will the insurer pay the hospital directly? Some do: GMS pays providers directly, Destination Canada works through the GEM network, and RIMI (MSH) arranges direct billing where possible. Always call the assistance centre before treatment. ## Related guides - [Vancouver Visitor Insurance Guide: MSP Waiting Period, Richmond & Burnaby Care](https://visitorquote.com/en/articles/vancouver-msp-transition-visitor-insurance-guide) - [Alberta AHCIP vs Visitor Insurance: Newcomer & Visitor Guide for Calgary and Edmonton](https://visitorquote.com/en/articles/alberta-ahcip-vs-visitor-insurance) This article is compiled from public information and is not insurance advice. The policy in force at the time of application governs.