Health Insurance 101
Health Insurance in Canada: What It Covers, Costs & Plan Types
Private health insurance in Canada (often called an “extended health” plan) helps pay for medical costs not covered by your provincial or territorial government health plan (GHIP).
This can include routine expenses such as dental and vision care, as well as unexpected expenses like hospital stays or prescription medications. By offsetting these costs, a health insurance plan provides additional financial protection and peace of mind.
These plans are often referred to as “extended health care plans” because they extend your government health insurance plan benefits.
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Common Plan Benefits
What is covered by a health insurance plan?
Plans can vary widely in terms of what items they cover. Below is a list of the types of benefits that can form an Extended Health and Dental Care Plan.
Plan Types
Types of health insurance in Canada
There are three different types of health care plans. Which one is right for you and your family depends on your unique personal circumstances.
- Apply anytime
- Medical questionnaire required
- Most benefits & features
- Coverage effective 1st of next month (subject to qualifying medically)
- Best value profile
- Apply within 60–90 days of employee benefits termination
- No medical questionnaire
- Moderate benefits & features
- Coverage effective 1st of next month
- Moderate value profile
- Apply anytime
- No medical questionnaire
- Fewest benefits & features
- Coverage effective 1st of next month
- Lowest value profile
Find Out If Private Health Coverage Is Right For You
Who Needs Personal Health & Dental Insurance in Canada?
While Canada’s Government Health Insurance Plans (GHIPs) cover many basic medical services, they don’t include important everyday needs like prescription drugs, dental care, or vision care. Even workplace benefits may not fully protect you. That’s why many Canadians choose a personal health and dental insurance plan to help cover out-of-pocket costs.
You may especially benefit from private health insurance if you are:
Business Owners & Self-Employed
If you run your own business or work for yourself, you don’t automatically get workplace benefits. A personal or group health plan helps you (and your family) stay healthy, productive, and financially protected.
Retirees & Seniors
When you retire, your employee benefits usually end, but healthcare costs often rise. A retiree health insurance plan can cover prescription drugs, dental work, and vision care, giving you peace of mind in retirement.
Families with Children
Raising kids means rising costs from braces to glasses to prescriptions. A family health and dental plan makes these expenses more manageable and ensures your children get the care they need.
Calculate costs for prescriptions, dental, paramedical & more
Why do you need personal health insurance if you have government healthcare?
While provincial and territorial health and drug plans in Canada provide coverage for some health expenses, there may still be gaps in coverage that can result in expensive medical bills. If you experience illness or injury, your government health plan may only cover a portion of your medical costs, and in some cases, you may receive no coverage at all.
By having a health insurance, you can receive reimbursement for eligible healthcare expenses that are not fully covered or not covered at all by your provincial or territorial healthcare plan. This can include expenses for medical, dental, vision, and other healthcare services, helping to reduce the financial burden of unexpected healthcare costs.
Universal Care vs. Private Coverage
What’s Really Covered in Canada’s Universal Health Care?
Universal Care covers the basics, but many everyday services are left out. Here’s how private health & dental insurance fills the gaps.
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Learn More About Universal Health Coverage in Your Province or Territory
Looking for specific details about government health insurance in your province or territory? Explore the coverage available under each region's Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP).
Each page is tailored to provide a clear and comprehensive guide to the health benefits you are entitled to in your area.
Cost
How much does private health insurance cost?
There are a number of factors that can affect plan pricing, including:
Age
Generally, insurance costs less for younger age groups, and more for older age groups.
Single, couple or family
Plan cost will vary depending on the number of people covered.
Province of residence
Plan cost can vary from one province/territory to the next.
Plan selection
Plans that include more benefits and higher coverage amounts come at a higher cost.
Prioritize
What insurance do you need and when?
Personal Health Insurance is the foundation of any sound financial plan and should be maintained throughout life - both in your working and retirement years.
Travel Insurance may be built-in to Personal Health Insurance plans, and is important both when travelling within and outside of Canada.
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