Extended Health Care Insurance

Extended health care insurance (EHC) is supplemental coverage that helps pay for medical expenses not covered by your provincial or territorial health plan. It protects you from out-of-pocket costs associated with services such as prescription drugs, vision care, medical equipment, hospital upgrades, emergency travel medical care, and paramedical services like physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments.

EHC plans are available through group benefit programs offered by employers or as individual policies purchased directly from insurance companies. Individual plans can be customized based on age, health, and budget. Some plans include optional riders for dental, vision, or travel coverage.

Extended health care insurance helps bridge the gap between what government health plans cover and the full cost of modern healthcare, offering peace of mind and greater financial flexibility when medical needs arise.

Example:

If your provincial plan does not cover prescription drugs and your medication costs $200, your extended health care plan with 80 percent coverage would reimburse $160, leaving you to pay $40.

What to Watch For:

Review your plan’s list of eligible expenses and exclusions, as not all medical services or supplies are covered. Confirm annual and lifetime maximums for each category, especially for medical equipment or travel insurance. Coordination of benefits may apply if you are covered under more than one plan, allowing you to claim additional reimbursement from a secondary policy.