Indian woman travels to Canada, gets hospitalized and hit with Rs 82 lakh medical bill days later

For Alice John, an 88 year old Indian woman who recently travelled to meet her family in Brampton, Ont. a hospital visit ended up in a nightmare.


Alice went to visit Brampton on a super visa for six months. A super visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for an extended period. Soon after she reached the place in January 2024, she started having symptoms of cough, shortness of breath and fever. She was admitted to Hamilton General Hospital, her son Joseph Christy told CTV News.


Alice was suffering from hypoxic respiratory failure. Hypoxic respiratory failure occurs when the body cannot get enough oxygen into the blood, leading to dangerously low oxygen levels (hypoxemia). It’s a type of respiratory failure where the primary issue is oxygen deficiency, not necessarily a buildup of carbon dioxide. This condition can be acute or chronic and is often a sign of serious underlying problems affecting the lungs or airways.


Common causes include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary embolism, or high-altitude exposure. In hypoxic respiratory failure, the lungs may be damaged or inflamed, impairing their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream even if you’re breathing.


Symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, confusion, bluish lips or fingers, and fatigue. If untreated, it can lead to organ dysfunction and death.


Diagnosis involves checking oxygen levels through arterial blood gases or pulse oximetry, along with imaging and lab tests to identify the root cause. Treatment depends on the severity and cause but often includes oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and medications to reduce inflammation or treat infections.


Alice's medical bill amounted to 96,311 dollars which is equivalent to Rs 82 lakh

Despite having insurance with coverage up to $100,000, the family was told that the treatment bill can not be covered under this policy.


“You are not eligible for coverage under this policy if you have ever been diagnosed with congestive heart failure,” the family was told. Christy said the news came as a total surprise because the term congestive heart failure “was never in any of her prescriptions going back three years," the media reported and added that the insurance agency has agreed to pay the medical bills in full.