Residents in Canada receive health care coverage from their provinces. But, certain things aren't covered by these plans, such as prescription drugs, dental care and vision care.
So what do you do if you need a prescription? Managing the entire cost of your medication, especially if multiple refills are required may present its challenges.
That's where supplemental health insurance comes in. This type of insurance covers your needs beyond your provincial health care plan, whether you want basic or extensive coverage.
There are many insurance providers in Canada, though. Which one should you choose? Here's a list of health insurance companies that offer great coverage in Canada.
Blue Cross operates in every province across Canada. The specific details of the plans they offer depend on the area where you need coverage.
Several insurance types are offered by Blue Cross. Supplemental health coverage is one of them. They also offer travel insurance.
Blue Cross health insurance is meant to fit your lifestyle. No matter your work situation, you're likely to find a plan that works for you. These plans are designed to accompany provincial health care plans.
Blue Cross Key Details:
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DETAILS
Headquarter
185 The West Mall, Suite 610 Etobicoke, ON M9C 5P1
Contacts
Ontario: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/ontario/ Alberta: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/alberta/ British Columbia: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/british-columbia/ Manitoba: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/manitoba-blue-cross/ New Brunswick: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/new-brunswick/ Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/newfoundland-and-labrador/ Northwest Territories: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/northwest-territories/ Nova Scotia: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/nova-scotia/ Nunavut: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/nunavut/ Prince Edward Island: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/prince-edward-island/ Quebec: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/quebec/ Saskatchewan: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/saskatchewan-blue-cross/ Yukon: https://www.bluecross.ca/our-regions/yukon/
Manulife offers health and dental insurance in one package. They also offer other insurance coverage for more specific situations, such as travel and life insurance.
There are two health and dental plans offered by Manulife. The FollowMe plan is designed to help people who are losing group coverage through their employer. The Flexcare plan is meant to work for just about everyone.
Whichever plan you choose, you'll get special rates if you have three or more children. And if you're older than 65 years old you can get additional coverage through the Flexcare plan.
Manulife Key Details:
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DETAILS
Headquarter
200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1E5
Contacts
Health and Dental: more_info@manulife.com Travel: travel@manulife.com Life and Disability: am_service@manulife.com Telephone: 519-747-7000
Green Shield Canada (GSC) called themselves as a 'different kind of health benefits provider'. It is a not-for-profit benefits carrier that offers several health and dental insurance plans. They're divided into categories for people with different needs. Today, GSC has offices across the country in Vancouver, Calgary, Windsor, London, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Atlantic Canada.
If you plan on retiring or there's some other reason you won't have group coverage anymore, check out their LINK plans. These plans can be obtained without answering any medical questions and acceptance is guaranteed. They include prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, and more.
If you don't have any pre-existing medical conditions, take a look at the ZONE plans. You will have to answer a health questionnaire and you may not be accepted if you don't meet their health requirements. Prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, travel insurance, and extended health care are part of these plans.
With the merged of this company to the other two major players in the insurance industry namely Great-West Life and London Life into single Canada Life brand, It is now clearly position itself as the second biggest insurance company in Canada next to Manulife.
The Canada Life Assurance Company offers plans that cover both health and dental care. You can get coverage even if you have pre-existing medical conditions and there's no examination required. It also offers term life, disability, critical illness and creditor insurance.
Provincial health care doesn't cover everything. Where they leave off, that's where Canada Life picks up. You'll love their group-coverage-like plan. If you need coverage quickly, this is a great option. Approval happens in only a few minutes.
You'll find several types of plans from Canada Life. The PlanDirect Core, Core Plus, and Elite plans are great options if you’re healthy. While the PlanDirect Basic, Comprehensive, and Premier plans are great if you have a pre-existing condition because they don’t require a medical exam.
Whether you want extra health coverage or you plan on travelling soon, Group Medical Services (GMS) has plans for you. Their personal health plans include health, dental, travel, and prescription medication coverage.
GMS offers three plans to choose from. If none of them quite fit the bill, you can also add additional coverage.
The OmniPlan offers care for extensive medical procedures, such as massage therapy and vision care. The cost of hearing aids is covered, as are diabetic supplies, oxygen equipment and other assistive devices. It even includes $4,000 funeral coverage in the case of accidental death.
The ExtendaPlan is the comprehensive GMS plan. Coverage includes eye exams, contact lenses, laser surgery, hearing aids, shoulder immobilizers, and many other procedures and equipment.
The BasicPlan is just what it sounds like. It offers basic coverage for procedures that aren't covered by provincial health care plans. This plan includes coverage for ambulance transport, crutches rental, private hospital rooms, and prescription drugs.
GMS Key Details:
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DETAILS
Headquarter
2055 Albert Street, PO Box 1949 Regina, SK S4P 0E3
Contacts
Call Centre Hours Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Email: info@gms.ca Customer toll-free: 1.800.667.3699 Broker toll-free: 1.855.821.6881
Sun Life Assurance Company knows that your family is what's most important to you, so they offer comprehensive coverages across the board. They offer health, life, critical illness, disability, and long-term care insurance. And, they offer insurance in many different countries.
For Canadian residents, getting a quote for personal health insurance couldn't be easier. Working with a company like Insurdinary makes navigating SunLife, or any insurance providers plans simple. Filling out our simple quote form, lets us know you'd like to be contacted by an agent who will compare quotes on your behalf. You'll provide information such as age, number of dependents, your province, and what level of plan you're looking for.
Three different plan levels are offered: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. You have the option to add dental coverage to the Standard and Enhanced plans.
The health insurance plans offered by Desjardins are designed to feel like group insurance. You'll get coverage that goes beyond your provincial health care plan. At the time this article was written the company proudly had 7 million members and clients. As of February 2022, they now house 7.5 million and counting.
To get the details you'll have to fill out the required information online. But you can expect prescription drug and dental coverage to be included. Travel insurance is included in their health plans. They also offer many different types of life insurance, critical illness, disability, condo and motorcycle insurance.
Use This List of Canadian Health Insurance Companies
Your health isn't a game. Finding the right insurance shouldn't be either. So use this list of health insurance companies to help you find the right fit for you.
Compare each option and keep you and your family's specific needs in mind and you're sure to find a great fit. Each of these companies offers plans that are meant to fit your life and needs, so check them out today.
Do you already have health insurance that's provided by your employer? Click here to learn more about employer health insurance laws.
