1-888-601-9980
- Private health insurance covers services that are not covered by the provincial healthcare plans such as prescription drugs, dental and vision care, etc.
- Health insurance premiums in Canada start at $61.32 per month for a 35-year-old single male, $110.38 for a 28-year-old couple, and $175.89 for a family of four
- Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Desjardins, GMS, GreenShield, and Manulife are some of the best health insurance providers in Canada, each offering customizable plans to meet your diverse needs
- What is private health insurance?
- What are the best health insurance companies in Canada?
- Blue Cross health insurance review
- Canada Life Health Insurance Review
- Desjardins Health Insurance Review
- GMS health insurance review
- GreenShield health insurance review
- Manulife health insurance review
- Sun Life health insurance review
- Criteria for reviewing health insurance companies
- How much does health insurance cost per month in Canada?
- Is health insurance worth it?
- Are there any health insurance companies in Canada that specialize in coverage for pre-existing conditions?
- Frequently asked questions
Choosing the best health insurance in Canada can feel overwhelming, but finding the right plan for you is essential.
Our expert reviews of top providers like Manulife, Blue Cross, and Sun Life help you compare health insurance plans, from affordable options to the best health and dental insurance Canada has to offer.
Designed for families, individuals, and newcomers, these plans ensure comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, and vision care. So, get a health insurance quote today to find the perfect coverage for your health.
What is private health insurance?
Private health insurance in Canada works alongside the publicly funded healthcare system to provide additional coverage for services not covered by the government.
Coverage includes prescription medication, medical equipment, paramedical services, dental care, vision care, emergency medical travel insurance, and other medical expenses.
Call 1-888-601-9980 to speak to our licensed advisors right away, or book some time with them below.
What are the best health insurance companies in Canada?
After reviewing Canada’s top health insurance companies, our team of experts has picked Blue Cross, Canada Life, and Manulife as having the best health coverage in Canada.
But, not every health insurance company is the same. Some have the best dental coverage, while others have top-rated coverage for vision care. Check out our list of the best health coverage in Canada.
| Company | AM Best Rating | PolicyAdvisor Rating |
| Blue Cross | A- | 4.5/5 |
| Canada Life | A+ | 5/5 |
| Desjardins | N/A | 3.5/5 |
| GMS | N/A | 4/5 |
| GreenShield | N/A | 4.5/5 |
| Manulife | A+ | 5/5 |
| Sun Life | A+ | 4/5 |
Blue Cross Ontario Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance for:
Prescription drug coverage & dental care coverage
Blue Cross is a national brand originating in Manitoba in 1938, with many provincial franchises. Franchises include:
- Alberta Blue Cross
- Ontario Blue Cross
- Quebec Blue Cross
- Manitoba Blue Cross (Nunavut)
- Medavie Blue Cross (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Pacific Blue Cross (BC and Yukon)
- Saskatchewan Blue Cross
Like the sound of “unlimited” benefits? Blue Cross offers unmatched prescription and dental coverage without limits. They also have coverage that allows you to keep your insurability for life. Diagnosed with an illness later in life? No worries with Blue Cross Assured Access coverage—once you have it, you have insurability for life.
| Blue Cross Ontario Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical Expenses Mental Health Services Dental Vision Travel |
Blue Cross Ontario Health Insurance Pros:
- Assured access coverage
- Generational coverage
- Unlimited drugs
- Unlimited dental (excluding major)
- Capped out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs
- Highly customizable
Blue Cross Ontario Insurance Cons:
- No replacement plan
- No travel plans available for basic or mid-tier plans
- Unlimited drug pricing is not as competitive
- Major and orthodontic dental only available for enhanced plans
What other insurance coverage does Blue Cross offer?
Canada Life Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance for:
Vision care coverage
Canada Life, one of the country’s largest life insurers, is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. With $396 billion in assets and a financial strength rating of A+ from A.M. Best, Canada Life is one of the most stable life insurers in the country.
Canada Life offers health insurance that speaks to the saying “you get what you pay for.” What we mean is, you’ll get good coverage, but it won’t be the cheapest policy on the market.
Canada Life offers great vision insurance coverage for those who need glasses or contacts—they’ll cover up to 100%! While the pricing is a bit on the expensive side, Canada Life makes up for this by providing comprehensive coverage for both prescription drugs and health practitioner services.
| Canada Life Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical expenses Mental health services Dental Vision Travel |
Canada Life Health Insurance Pros:
- 100% vision coverage
- Good prescription drug coverage
- Good paramedical coverage
- Replacement plans
- Guaranteed plans for those with pre-existing conditions
Canada Life Health Insurance Cons:
- Pricing not as competitive
- Replacement plans are expensive
What other insurance coverage does Canada Life offer?
- Life insurance
- Critical illness insurance
- Disability insurance
- Travel insurance
- Creditor insurance
- Investment products
Desjardins Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance for:
Bundling with other products
Desjardins is one of Canada’s largest financial institutions and is frequently ranked among the world’s 50 safest banks and financiers.
Love a good twofer? Desjardins is known for their great combo deals. Combine life insurance, disability insurance, critical illness insurance, and health insurance and you’ll get a financial security team that will fully protect your financial future—and for a few bucks less than if you bought them all separately.
These plans are best for younger individuals—those in the sunset years need not apply (especially those looking for a retirement replacement health plan).
| Desjardin Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical Expenses Mental Health Services Dental Vision Travel |
Desjardins Health Insurance Pros:
- Can be bundled with other products (life insurance, disability insurance, critical illness insurance) for a discount
- “Best Doctor” program (get a second opinion for you and/or extended family)
Desjardins Health Insurance Cons:
- Limited term options
- Plans only cover to age 64
- No replacement or guaranteed plans
What other insurance coverage does Desjardins offer?
- Home and Auto Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- RV Insurance
- Life and Savings – Life Insurance
- Group Insurance
- Credit Insurance
- Travel Insurance
GMS Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance for:
Multiple plan options
While their name is less known, there’s no denying that GMS offers great coverage for those looking to customize their plan. They also offer great coverage for those with pre-existing conditions—they’ll cover your medication prescribed for that condition, whereas other private plans may not at all. They also have a unique (to Canada) co-pay setup where you pay a set deductible rather than just the remaining percentage of the total cost of the bill.
If you’re someone who likes to plug and play with different package add-ons to meet your needs, GMS health insurance may have a plan for you.
| GMS Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical expenses Mental health services Dental Vision Travel |
GMS Health Insurance Pros:
- Enhanced drug plan includes prescriptions for pre-existing conditions up to $800 a year
- Flat deducible (co-pay) rather than a percentage-based coverage ($6 co-pay vs. “70% of coverage listed”)
- Customizable add-ons
- Replacement plans available
GMS Health Insurance Cons:
- Limited base plan options
What other insurance coverage does GMS offer?
GreenShield Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance plan for:
Paramedical coverage (chiro, physio, massage, etc.)
GreenShield (aka SureHealth) has the biggest market share in the health insurance industry—that means they’re the big dogs. They specialize in health and dental insurance (hence the huge market share), and you may know them if you’ve had an employer health insurance plan.
Greenshield offers multiple plan options so you can customize your health insurance to meet your needs. The biggest bonus is its high coverage limits for services like massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, etc.—all those necessary health maintenance services that are important to keep on top of. While not the most competitive in price, Greenshield may have an extended health plan to meet your unique health expense needs.
| GreenShield Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical expenses Mental health services Dental Vision Travel |
GreenShield Health Insurance Pros:
- Multiple plan options
- Guaranteed options
- Travel coverage: $5 million
- Higher limits for paramedical health services
GreenShield Health Insurance Cons:
- Pricing is not as competitive
- Dental insurance is not automatically in basic plans
What type of health insurance does GreenShield offer?
- Group health insurance
- Guaranteed acceptance health insurance
Manulife Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance for:
Customization
Life changes and your needs change. That’s why it’s good to have options. Manulife offers many health insurance product lines to meet you where you’re at. Whether you’re a fitness-tracking maniac already, a new retiree looking for replacement coverage for your work policy, or just need to look after your teeth, they’ve got you covered.
Manulife is our top choice for health insurance providers simply because of the variety of products they sell—the price isn’t bad either! With all their options available, we’ll bet you can find a plan that best suits your needs!
| Manulife Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical expenses Mental health services Dental There are also options for DentalPlus and DrugPlus plans if you require more coverage than their combo plans offer. Vision Travel |
Manulife Health Insurance Pros:
- Telehealth (virtual doctor) access
- Vitality program
- FollowMe program has great replacement coverage
- Comprehensive paramedical coverage
- Option to choose dental only
- Combo plans available
- Guaranteed plans available
- Travel coverage: $5 million for first 9 days (additional days extra charge)
Manulife Health Insurance Cons:
- Hospital benefits not included
- Travel insurance has a $100 deductible
- It can be expensive due to the comprehensive coverage
What other insurance coverage does Manulife offer?
Sun Life Financial Health Insurance Review
Canada’s best health insurance for:
Travel medical coverage
We love a good deal—don’t you? Sun Life provides a superior health insurance product at a very competitive price. If you’re a globetrotter, they even have travel insurance coverage for up to 60 days built into their standard and enhanced plans.
Sun Life might have the best plan for you if your needs are more than basic. More of a Plain Jane or have most of your coverage needs met elsewhere? The bare-bones Sun Life basic plan might be for you!
| Sun Life Health Insurance Plan Details
Prescription medication Paramedical expenses Mental health services Dental Vision Travel |
Sun Life Health Insurance Pros:
- Competitive price
- Extensive prescription coverage
- Travel coverage for up to 60 days (standard and enhanced)
Sun Life Health Insurance Cons:
- Limited coverage for counselling services
- No travel insurance for basic plans (no option for add-ons)
- No vision insurance for basic plans (no options for add-ons)
What other insurance coverage does Sun Life offer?
Criteria for reviewing health insurance companies
To determine the best health insurance providers in Canada, our experts assessed companies based on the following criteria:
- Coverage options: The range of benefits offered, including prescription drugs, dental and vision care, paramedical services, and emergency travel coverage
- Premium costs and affordability: Pricing across different coverage tiers and services
- Customization options: The ability to tailor plans to individual needs, including add-ons and coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Financial strength ratings: AM Best ratings and the company’s reputation for reliability and claims payment
- Customer satisfaction: Customer service quality and ease of claims processing
- Specialized coverage: Unique offerings such as guaranteed acceptance plans, replacement coverage, or bundled insurance discounts
How much does health insurance cost per month in Canada?
For health insurance premiums in Canada without pre-existing conditions, a 35-year-old single male can expect to pay approximately $61.32 per month and a 28-year-old couple would see premiums starting at $110.38 per month.
However, for a family of four (comprising a 45-year-old male, a 35-year-old female, and two children aged 10 and 5), the monthly premiums would be around $175.89. These premiums vary depending on the individual’s or family’s health insurance needs.
Is it worth getting health insurance in Canada?
Yes, getting health insurance in Canada is worth it for many individuals and families. While provincial health plans cover essential medical services, they often exclude critical benefits like dental care, vision, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Private health insurance fills these gaps, providing more comprehensive coverage and financial security.
For those who aren’t eligible for provincial health insurance, such as tourists, newcomers, or individuals waiting for residency coverage, private health insurance is essential to avoid high out-of-pocket expenses for medical emergencies. It also offers peace of mind by ensuring access to a broader range of healthcare services tailored to your needs.
Are there any health insurance companies in Canada that specialize in coverage for pre-existing conditions?
Yes, several health insurance companies in Canada offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, often with specific criteria. Manulife’s CoverMe Guaranteed Issue Enhanced plan provides coverage for conditions like diabetes and asthma without requiring a medical exam, ensuring guaranteed acceptance.
Blue Cross offers coverage for pre-existing conditions that meet stability requirements, such as being stable for 90 days for younger applicants or 180 days for older ones, along with options for unlimited prescription and dental coverage.
GMS Health Insurance is another flexible provider, covering medications prescribed for pre-existing conditions if they meet stability criteria. Green Shield Canada (GSC) specializes in plans accommodating stable pre-existing conditions, particularly benefiting younger, healthier individuals.
How can I get private health insurance quotes in Canada?
To get private health insurance quotes in Canada, we recommend speaking with our experienced advisors to compare quotes from across 30+ top insurance providers.
With PolicyAdvisor, you also get free instant quotes, the lowest rates across the market, and lifetime after-sales support. Schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed advisors today!
Frequently asked questions
What is the best health insurance provider in Canada in 2024?
The best health insurance provider depends on your specific needs, such as whether you require coverage for pre-existing conditions, prescription drugs, or dental care. Leading providers like Manulife, Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, and GMS offer comprehensive plans with customizable options to suit individual or family needs.
How do I choose the right health insurance plan in Canada?
To choose the right plan, consider factors like your medical needs, budget, and desired coverage (e.g., dental, vision, or prescription drugs). We recommend speaking with our advisors, comparing plans from top providers and checking for features like stability periods for pre-existing conditions, add-ons, and premium costs that can help you make an informed decision.
Are there affordable health insurance options in Canada?
Yes, affordable health insurance options are available, especially for those looking for basic coverage. Companies like GMS and Blue Cross offer budget-friendly plans, and some providers, like Green Shield, allow for add-ons so you only pay for what you need.
What should I look for in a health insurance plan?
When choosing a health insurance plan in Canada, consider coverage options, premium costs, exclusions, and limitations. Also, pay close attention to what’s included, like:
- Prescription drugs and medications: Some prescription drugs may not be covered by your provincial plan. Ensure your health insurance covers the medications you need
- Dental and vision care: Check whether routine care and major procedures are covered
- Paramedical services: Consider coverage for physiotherapy, chiropractic care, etc.
- Home-based care: See if the plan includes support for nurses or personal support workers providing care at home
- Emergency travel medical insurance: See if you can add coverage for medical emergencies during travel
If you have a pre-existing health condition, find out if the plan is guaranteed issue (available without medical underwriting). Otherwise, you may be offered a rated policy with higher premiums. Additionally, check if the plan allows customization to better suit your specific health needs and financial protection goals.
Our insurance experts reveal their list of the best health insurance companies in Canada to help you find the best plan tailored to your needs. Among the recommended providers are Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, and others. We evaluate these companies based on factors such as price, coverage amount, optional add-ons, and more. Explore the pros and cons of each company, review company history, compare coverage, and shop rates before you buy!
