Government Plans
Related FAQs
I'm turning 65, do I need to buy prescription drug coverage?
When you turn 65, you may be eligible for prescription drug coverage under your provincial or territorial government health care plan.
However, these plans often have a limited drug formulary, meaning that not all medications are covered. An individual health care plan from insurance providers like Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, or Sun Life typically offers a more comprehensive formulary.
This means some or all of the medications you take, or may need to take in the future, might not be covered by your provincial plan but could be covered by an individual health insurance plan.
Beyond prescription drug coverage, individual health care plans often include additional benefits valuable as you age, such as home health care, mobility devices, and hearing aids.
However, these plans often have a limited drug formulary, meaning that not all medications are covered. An individual health care plan from insurance providers like Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, or Sun Life typically offers a more comprehensive formulary.
This means some or all of the medications you take, or may need to take in the future, might not be covered by your provincial plan but could be covered by an individual health insurance plan.
Beyond prescription drug coverage, individual health care plans often include additional benefits valuable as you age, such as home health care, mobility devices, and hearing aids.
Is it worth having a health insurance plan?
The choice of having an individual health insurance plan for you and your family is a personal one.
As with any form of insurance, you don't always need it, but when you do, you're usually glad you have it.
If you insure your home or your car, why would you not also insure your own health—which is arguably the most valuable of all these items?
An individual health insurance plan helps cover unforeseen expenses which are not covered by a government health insurance plan.
e.g. prescription drugs, supplemental costs of surgeries, consultations with licensed health care practitioners, dental and vision appointments, etc.
As with any form of insurance, you don't always need it, but when you do, you're usually glad you have it.
If you insure your home or your car, why would you not also insure your own health—which is arguably the most valuable of all these items?
An individual health insurance plan helps cover unforeseen expenses which are not covered by a government health insurance plan.
e.g. prescription drugs, supplemental costs of surgeries, consultations with licensed health care practitioners, dental and vision appointments, etc.
Can I get health and dental coverage if I recently moved to Canada?
If you've recently moved to Canada, individual health and dental plans require that you be covered by a provincial or territorial government health insurance plan.
If you aren't yet covered by government health insurance, we recommend seeking a travel insurance product known as 'visitors to Canada'. This type of insurance is designed to provide coverage until you are eligible for provincial or territorial health and dental plans.
Speak with an Aeva advisor, and they can assist you in finding the right plan.
If you aren't yet covered by government health insurance, we recommend seeking a travel insurance product known as 'visitors to Canada'. This type of insurance is designed to provide coverage until you are eligible for provincial or territorial health and dental plans.
Speak with an Aeva advisor, and they can assist you in finding the right plan.
What costs does my provincial government health care plan cover?
Canada has 13 different health insurance plans - one for every province and territory.
As benefits can and do vary from one province/territory to the next, we encourage you to check your local health authority website for exact details.
That said, government health care plans will generally not cover the following expenses:
As benefits can and do vary from one province/territory to the next, we encourage you to check your local health authority website for exact details.
That said, government health care plans will generally not cover the following expenses:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental checkups and treatment
- Vision care
- Semi-private or private hospital rooms
- Registered/licensed specialists and therapists such as Acupuncturists, Chiropodists, Chiropractors, Naturopaths, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Psychologists/Psychotherapists, Registered Massage Therapists, Speech Pathologists/Therapists
- Health-related products such as orthotics, hearing aids, prosthetics, and medical equipment
- Health-related services such as ambulance, home care and nursing, medical coordination, and second medical opinions
- Emergency medical care for travelers
Can you get treated without health insurance?
Yes. You will always be able to claim on your provincial/territorial government health care plan. Any amounts not covered by your government plan you would pay out-of-pocket yourself.
If you are not covered by a government health care plan (e.g. non-Canadian residents, or visitors to Canada), you would pay 100% of any medical expenses out-of-pocket, which can be costly.
For those who are working towards Canadian residency, or are visiting Canada, it is advisable to look into Visitors to Canada insurance, which will help to cover medical costs for those not yet covered by a provincial/territorial government health care plan.
If you are not covered by a government health care plan (e.g. non-Canadian residents, or visitors to Canada), you would pay 100% of any medical expenses out-of-pocket, which can be costly.
For those who are working towards Canadian residency, or are visiting Canada, it is advisable to look into Visitors to Canada insurance, which will help to cover medical costs for those not yet covered by a provincial/territorial government health care plan.