Health Insurance 101

What is Health Insurance

A Health Insurance plan purchased from an insurance company is designed to help you pay for medical costs not covered by your government health plan.

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.

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.

What insurance do you need, and when?
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.

Medically Underwritten Plans
Best for those with minimal health history.
Apply anytime
Medical questionnaire required
Most benefits & features
Coverage effective 1st of next month subject to qualifying medically
Best value profile
Get Started
Guaranteed Issue Plans
Best for those losing their employee benefits.
Apply within 60-90 days of employee benefits termination
No medical questionnaire
Moderate benefits & features
Coverage effective 1st of next month
Moderate value profile
Get Started
Guaranteed Acceptance Plans
Best for those previously declined.
Apply anytime
No medical questionnaire
Fewest benefits & features
Coverage effective 1st of next month
Lowest value profile
Get Started

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. This means that you could end up paying for various healthcare expenses out of your own pocket.

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.

GHIP

Learn More About Health Coverage in Your Province or Territory

Looking for specific details about government health insurance in your province or territory? Click on any of the links below to explore the coverage available under each region's Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP). You'll find valuable information on eligibility, covered services such as prescription drugs, dental care, paramedical services, hospital coverage, and more.

Each page is tailored to provide a clear and comprehensive guide to the health benefits you are entitled to in your area, ensuring you can make informed decisions about your healthcare needs. Whether you're a resident or planning to move to a different province, we've got you covered.

Cost

How much does health insurance cost?

There are a number of factors that can affect plan pricing, including:

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Age

Generally, insurance cost less for younger age groups, and more for older age groups.

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Single, couple or family

Plan cost will vary depending on the number of people covered.

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Province of residence

Plan cost can vary from one province/territory to the next.

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Plan selection

Plans that include more benefits and higher coverage amounts come at a higher cost.

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