Canadian health care is governed by the Canada Health Act and considers that every citizen has the right to the same healthcare. The Canadian public health system is therefore funded by the Federal Government but also by the provinces through income taxes.
Canadian healthcare insurance covers primary health care, which includes visits to physicians, treatments, hospital care and dental surgery. However, some drugs, dental care, hospital care and optical care are not covered by Medicare.
For these expenses that are not covered and that can be very expensive, we recommend subscribing to a private or supplementary health insurance, which will fully or partially pay for the expenses incurred.
In this article, we will help you choose the best additional health insurance for your household.
WHAT INSURANCE COMPANY TO CHOOSE?
If you are an employee, the company where you work may cover the cost of health insurance for you and eventually your family members, this is to be seen when you are hired. This would be the best option since a private company is very expensive.
Your employer could also offer you an insurance without helping you pay for it, but at a more attractive price than if you contracted it by yourself.
Note: There is no legal obligation for the company to subscribe a health insurance for you.
Finally, you can subscribe to a private insurance by your own means. Here is a list of the main companies you can contact:
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS?
Prices are globally equivalent for all health insurance choices. Note that you can “split” any kind of insurance offer according to your needs.
You can choose either a basic health coverage, which will cover the medicines prescribed by the doctor (at 70% of fees), or dental coverage only, or hospitalization coverage, or even take full coverage with better refunds and extended benefits: it depends on your needs and income.
For example, if you have a medical condition that requires the purchase of drugs, or if you have dental or vision concerns, you may want to consider insurance that will cover these costs in full. Please note that these costs are very expensive and that the price of the insurance can be recovered very quickly.
Once you have chosen your insurance company, select from the options offered according to your needs and the level of refunds. Of course, the more coverage you receive, the higher the price will be.
Like in any other insurance contract, you are free to change between insurers, but be careful when switching insurance companies because you may be asked to fill out a health questionnaire and/or be subject to a waiting period for refunds of up to 90 days.
For more information you can follow this link.
WHEN AND HOW ARE HEALTH EXPENSES REFUNDED?
Once again, this will depend on your insurance contract and the conditions you have set, but in most cases, companies offer the same options, as follows:
- Either a direct refund to the organization that provided the care
- Or by check sent within 6 days to your home address
- Or by bank transfer to your personal account
HOW MUCH DOES A HEALTH INSURANCE COST?
The price of a health insurance depends on many criteria, so it can be very difficult to give a quote. The main criteria considered are the following:
- The insurance option chosen
- Your age
- Your physical condition
- The number of people that make up your household
- Your place of residence
We hope to have contributed to your decision making for the best private or supplementary health insurance option, and we wish you good health!
