Jan. 2022 – 15 min read
Universal provincial/territorial healthcareOpens in a new window covers most basic healthcare and medical services.
You can apply for personal insurance online in less than 15 minutes
Want to learn more about Freedom to Choose™ health and dental insurance?
Enter your email if you would like to receive updates about Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance. You can withdraw your consent at any time. Click to see our privacy guidelinesOpens in a new window, which includes our mailing address.
Health insurance can help you pay less for medical care. You pay a fee (also known as a premium) for coverage, usually monthly.
Some health insurance plans have a deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before your health insurance coverage takes effect).
Some health insurance pays 100% of costs after deductible, others pay a percentage (coinsurance).
Health insurance coverage may also come with additional no-cost programs and services, like virtual health care for example.
There are 3 types of healthcare coverage in Canada:
Universal healthcare (provincial/territorial): This healthcare is funded by taxpayers. Most basic healthcare and medical services are covered, however there are some differences from province to province and territory.
For most services you must provide a provincial/territorial health card.
Workplace benefits: Workplace benefits are provided by many employers or associations to help employees cover the cost of things provincial/territorial health care plans may not pay for, including certain prescription drugs, dental, hospital, vision, paramedical and ambulance services.
Because costs are shared with a group, they’re often more affordable than a personal health and dental plan.
Many workplace benefit plans allow you to customize your coverage to your needs.
Personal health and dental insurance: This insurance is most often used by people who are retired, who are self-employedOpens in a new window or not eligible for group benefits, or who are losing their previous group benefits coverage.
It’s similar to group benefits because it helps pay for things provincial/territorial health care plans may not cover.
There are plans that suit your needs and budget. Coverage is guaranteed for some plans and you can even qualify with pre-existing medical conditions.
Universal health care (provincial/territorial)
- Family doctor visits, emergency room visits, outpatient clinic appointments
- Inpatient care/surgery
- Medicines you receive as part of your inpatient care
- Diagnostic tests, bloodwork, scans, genetic testing
- Radiation therapy
- Medicines infused or injected in an outpatient clinic (e.g., chemotherapy, hydration)
- Cancer support services offered in hospitals (e.g., dietician, counselling, physiotherapy)
- Mental health services through a cancer centre
- Prescription drugs
Workplace benefits
- Prescription drugs1
- Dental care
- Vision care and prescription eyewear
- Paramedical services such as physiotherapy and chiropractic
- Ambulance services
Personal health and dental insurance
- Prescription drugs1
- Dental care
- Vision care and prescription eyewear
- Paramedical services such as physiotherapy, massage and chiropractic
- Ambulance services
- Medical supplies
- Hearing aids
- In-home nursing and health aide care
- Emergency travel medical
- Major dental care
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Hospital accommodation and cash
This depends on how much you and your family currently spend on various types of healthcare and how concerned you are about the risk of potential future healthcare expenses.
If you spend a lot on healthcare that’s not covered by a provincial/territorial plan, or you have health concerns which may lead to expenses down the road, personal health insurance may be worth it.
There are great options available whether you’re retired or losing coverage, or self-employed or don’t qualify for benefits with your employer.
Now that you understand more about how health insurance works in Canada, you may want to:
If you’d like to explore plans and see how much they could cost you, get a quote.