Family Faces Huge Medical Bill After U.S. Visit

A man from Whitby says his mother came to visit from the U. S. last fall, but she fell ill and had to go to the hospital.

A woman visiting her family in Canada from the United States got sick and was admitted to the hospital, and without travel insurance, her family was stunned when they received a bill exceeding $110,000.

“I didn’t know if she was going to make it because she was unconscious,” said Naveed Zafar, of Whitby, Ont.

Zafar’s mother, Begum Bashiran, is in her 80s and lives in Atlanta, Ga. In October, she visited Zafar and his sister who resides in Waterloo. During her stay, Bashiran had a stroke and needed hospitalization.

Begum Bashiran Begum Bashiran is seen at a hospital in this undated photo.

Zafar hurried over to the Waterloo Regional Health Network to see his mother and completed paperwork for her treatment.

“They handed me a form about medical costs, but I didn’t even look at it. My only thought was, ‘Am I going to see my mom again? Is she going to be okay?’” Zafar shared with .

Bashiran spent four weeks in the hospital, moving between regular care and intensive care units. She has since recovered and returned home to Atlanta.

However, since she did not have travel health insurance while visiting Canada, the family received an enormous medical bill for her treatment.

“When my mother left the hospital, I got a bill for over $110,000,” said Zafar.

Bill graphic

The hospital did provide a 10 percent discount on some charges; however, Zafar still owed around $100,852.875. So far he has paid $55,000 but needs to find a way to cover the rest.

“As a responsible citizen, I definitely want to pay the hospital,” Zafar mentioned but added that “I was hoping they could find other discounts or help me out.”

Bill graphic

When contacted the Waterloo Regional Health Network for comment, a spokesperson stated: “We cannot discuss specific clinical details due to patient privacy laws. We genuinely empathize with how financial burdens from unexpected medical emergencies can affect families navigating international healthcare.”

The hospital further added: “Our priority remains our patients’ well-being as we continue supporting families during these challenging times.”

Waterloo Regional Health Network hospital Waterloo Regional Health Network hospital is seen in this undated photo.

Travel insurance expert Martin Firestone , CEO of Travel Secure Inc., told that many companies offer “Visitor to Canada” insurance.

Just like Canadians should get coverage when traveling abroad , Firestone noted that visitors coming into Canada should also consider obtaining insurance just in case they suddenly need medical attention.

“All people visiting Canada who are not Canadian residents must buy ‘Visitor to Canada’ insurance ,” Firestone emphasized.

He pointed out that if this family had gotten coverage , most likely their mother’s treatment would have been covered.

“Sadly , it seems they didn’t purchase it , so now they’re stuck with this massive bill,” Firestone remarked.

Zafar told he appreciates how well the hospital took care of his mother but will need another plan for settling up what he owes.NaveedZafarNaveedZafarspeakswithPatForanabouthismother’sexpensivemedicalbill.