A Vancouver Resident's Guide to Manulife Health Insurance

The average Canadian pays close to $6,000 each year in public health care costs.

But if you're considering getting additional coverage, we know you want to find a plan that allows you to pay only for what you need.

If you're looking for the best health benefits Vancouver has to offer, then chances are that you've already started researching Manulife.

However, with so many different Manulife health insurance plans available to you, we know that sometimes, it can be tough to decide which option best suits your needs.

This post is here to help you to determine just that.

In it, we'll break down the differences between the popular FlexCare and FollowMe plans. We'll also go over the potential add-ons that you can elect to include in your Manulife plans.

When you're ready to take the mystery and guesswork out health insurance in Vancouver, read on.

Understanding the FollowMe Plan

First of all, let's take a look at one of the most popular health insurance Vancouver plans from Manulife: the FollowMe plan.

The truth is that there's lots of confusion out there about how health insurance in Canada actually works. In order to truly get the coverage that you need, investing in a supplemental plan is a smart idea.

Manulife's FollowMe plan is a wonderful solution for Canadians who are concerned that they won't be able to get individual health insurance after the end of their group coverage.

If you're transitioning away from group coverage to an individual plan, then FollowMe from Manulife is a great option for you. Plus, you're able to apply up to 60 days after the end of your group coverage.

You won't even have to submit to a medical questionnaire or exam. You might be surprised by just how similar the coverage Manulife FollowMe offers is to your past group health insurance.

There are four main FollowMe plans that come with guaranteed acceptance. Let's take a closer look at those plans now.

The FollowMe Health Basic Plan

If you spend less than $450 on prescription drugs a year and aren't interested in dental coverage, this is the option for you.

You'll be covered for 80% of your prescription drug costs up to $450, and you'll even get $150 for vision care every two years.

Plus, you'll be entitled to a $100,000 lifetime maximum when it comes to extended health care. You'll also get a survivor benefit, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and hospital coverage that allows you to have a semi-private room.

FollowMe Health Enhanced

Under this plan, you'll get $200 every two years to help you to cover the costs of vision care.

You'll also be covered for up to 80% of a $1,000 maximum prescription drug cost. You can even get a $200,000 lifetime maximum when it comes to extended health care.

Furthermore, you'll get the accidental death and dismemberment coverage, the survivor benefit, and the hospital coverage that you'd receive in the basic plan.

There are lots of different add-ons, especially as it relates to the costs of emergency medical travel, that this plan also allows for.

FollowMe Health Enhanced Plus

Now, let's take a look at the Health Enhanced Plus plan.

Here, you'll get both prescription drug and dental coverage, along with the $200 every two years for vision care costs.

You can get 80% of your dental costs of up to $700 in your first year of coverage. In year two of your coverage, you'll get 80% of up to $850 worth of dental care covered. In year three and beyond, you'll get 80% of up to $1,000 of dental care covered.

You'll also get 80% coverage of up to $1,000 to help you cover the cost of your prescription drugs.

FollowMe Health Premiere Coverage

Last but certainly not least, you may also be interested in the FollowMe Health Premiere Coverage plan.

Under this option, you can get 80% of up to $2,400 worth of annual prescription drug medication. You will also get $300 every two years to help you cover the costs of your vision care.

You will also be entitled to a $300,000 lifetime maximum when it comes to your extended health care. You can also enjoy coverage for 80% of dental costs of up to $800 in the first year of your coverage.

You'll be covered for up to $1,000 of those dental costs in year two, and up to $1,500 in three years and beyond.

Is the Manulife Flexcare Plan Right for You?

Another popular type of Manulife health insurance that you might want to consider?

The Manulife Flexcare plan.

This plan is specifically designed to fill in the gaps in standard government health insurance. Its unique and specific plans make it easy for you to avoid having to pay for coverage that you don't actually need.

As long as you're over the age of 18 and can prove that you're a Canadian resident, you are eligible to apply for FlexCare. You must also show that you have provincial health care coverage.

This plan also doesn't have a waiting period. Your coverage starts on the first of the next month after you're approved. So, it's also ideal for those who need quick coverage.

This is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a plan that helps them obtain coverage for not just themselves, but also for their family members.

It also allows you to keep your coverage, regardless of whether your current health changes drastically, or even if you decide to change jobs. You'll even be entitled to additional coverage if you're over the age of 65.

You can submit your claims electronically, and can even use auto-payment methods to take the hassle out of the billing process.

There are several different kinds of Flexcare options for you to choose from. Let's take a look at some of them now.

The Core Plans

The core plans of Flexcare includes coverage for prescription drugs, dental services, and even vision care.

There are three different Core Plans that you can choose from.

The first is the Flexcare DrugPlus plan. This will give you coverage for generic and brand-name prescriptions, along with extended health care, vision coverage, and even $5 million in emergency travel insurance in the event of a medical emergency.

You can enroll in either the Basic or the Enhanced DrugPlus plan.

You can also select the second Core Plan option from Flexcare, the DentalPlus plan.

Under this option, you'll get coverage for several standard dental services. This includes checkups, fillings, exams, and even regular cleanings. You'll also get the Core Plan vision, health care, and emergency medical travel insurance.

Under the DentalPlus plan, you won't have to complete a medical questionnaire. You can, as with the DrugPlus plan, opt for either Basic or Enhanced coverage.

Finally, the third Core Plan option is called the FlexCare CompoPlus plan.

As the name implies, you'll get a solid combination of both the DrugPlus and the DentalPlus plans. You can opt to go with Starter, Basic, or Enhanced coverage levels under the ComboPlus plan. Under the ComboPlus Starter plan, you won't have to take a medical questionnaire.

If you go with the ComboPlus plan, you'll get vision care, emergency travel insurance for medical purposes, basic dental care, extended health care, and much more.

Potential Add-Ons to Manulife Vancouver Flexcare Coverage

There are several add-ons that you can include in your plan as well, depending on your specific needs.

These include hospital stays, accidental death and dismemberment, travel, more specific vision care, and catastrophic coverage.

Most people end up choosing a FlexCare Core Plan, along with other add-ons, when they're looking for health coverage Vancouver.

That way, in addition to getting more essential coverage, they can also get coverage for health problems and potential issues they're at risk for.

Which of These Health Insurance Vancouver Plans Works for You?

If you're considering getting additional health insurance in Vancouver, then we hope that this post has made it easier to understand Manulife health insurance.

Whether you decide to opt for the FollowMe plan or if you feel that FlexCare coverage is the best choice for you and your family, it's important for you to know the specifics of each plan.

Of course, health insurance isn't the only type of coverage that you may need.

We want to help you be certain that you're protected in all areas of your life. Whether you need home insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, or more, you want to find the plan that works for you.

We can help.

We break down the ins and outs of some of the most popular plans, and can even help you get a quote. Get in touch with us if you have any questions about your current or future insurance plans.