Health Insurance in Canada: How It Works & How to Get It

Without insurance, medical bills in Canada can potentially run into thousands of dollars. 

This guide breaks down what health insurance covers, how much it costs, and how to get health coverage based on your immigration status in Canada.

Key Takeaways

• In Canada, public healthcare is administered by provinces and territories. Coverage varies based on where you live, and not everyone qualifies. 
• Public healthcare only covers medically necessary services. Dental, prescriptions, and vision are usually not included. 
• In some provinces, foreign workers, international students, and permanent residents have a waiting period before public coverage begins.  
• Private health insurance helps bridge the gaps between provincial insurance and the coverage you need. 

How Does Health Insurance Work in Canada?

In Canada, there are three types of health insurance. There are significant differences in how they work, what they cover, and eligibility. 

1. Provincial (or Territorial) Health Insurance 

Canada’s universal healthcare system is funded by taxes and administered by each province and territory. The government health plan covers a range of medical services deemed medically necessary: doctor visits, emergency care, hospital stays, and diagnostic tests.: doctor visits, emergency care, hospital stays, and diagnostic tests.   

Whether you qualify and when your coverage starts depends on the province you live in and your immigration status. If you’re eligible, you must register with your province, receive a health card, and show it when you need care. 

2. Employer Group Benefits 

Many employers in Canada offer a group health insurance policy and dental plan as part of a compensation package. Group plans typically cover prescription drugs, dental care, vision, and paramedical services like physiotherapy or massage. Coverage often starts after a probationary period, and there are generally caps to coverage for each category. 

3. Private medical insurance 

This is health insurance you purchase from an insurance provider to cover costs that your provincial insurance (or your coverage through school or work) doesn’t. Private providers like Cigna Healthcare offer plans that can be tailored to fill the gaps between your provincial coverage and the holistic coverage you need. 

Private insurance is particularly relevant for newcomers not adequately covered by employer group plans, self-employed workers, and foreign workers or students not eligible for provincial coverage. 

A personal insurance policy can also cover dental insurance and your partner and children under 19.

How does Private Health Insurance work?

Private insurance works as a supplement to public provincial health coverage. Your province covers the basics but leaves gaps like prescription drugs, dental care, vision, physiotherapy, and mental health services.

You pay health insurance premiums on a monthly basis — either on your own or through an employer benefits plan — and in return, your insurance company reimburses a portion of eligible health expenses, typically around 80%, though this varies by plan.

Some services require you to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement, while others let you use a benefits card so the insurer is billed directly. Most plans have annual limits per category (e.g., up to $500/year on vision), and some have waiting periods before coverage kicks in for certain services.

What Does Private Health Insurance Cover in Canada?

A private health insurance plan in Canada is typically more comprehensive than provincial coverage. It includes some combination of the following: 

• Emergency medical coverage 
• Ambulance services 
• Doctor visits and hospital stays 
• Prescription drugs 
• Medical equipment and supplies 
• Dental coverage, including routine exams, cleanings, and fillings 
• Vision care and prescription eyewear 
• Paramedical services like physiotherapy, massage therapy, and mental health support

Most health insurance plans have annual maximums for each coverage category and deductibles, which is the amount you pay before coverage takes effect. Many private health insurance providers also allow you to customize plans based on your needs.

How Much Is Health Insurance in Canada? 

Health insurance costs in Canada vary based on your age, province, and the level of coverage you choose. The average cost of private health insurance ranges from $150to $500 per month for adults. A basic plan will cost significantly less than one that also includes dental, vision, and out-patient care. 

Some health insurance providers offer flexibility in structuring your plan. For instance, with Cigna Healthcare, you can adjust your deductible and add or remove coverage modules to bring the premium up or down. 

How to Get Health Insurance in Canada 

The type of health insurance you have, or need, will depend on your immigration status in Canada. Let’s break it down. 

Getting Health Insurance in Canada as an International Student 

International students in Canada should have health insurance for the full duration of their study permit. 

Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI cover full-time international students under their public healthcare system.  

Waiting periods vary, so you may need private coverage initially. In Nova Scotia, for example, provincial coverage only becomes available after you have lived there for 12 months. Some provinces also require you to have a study permit of a minimum duration, typically 12 months. 

Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec do not cover most international students under their provincial health insurance plans.  

It’s a good idea to check with your school first. Many institutions offer mandatory or optional health plans for international students. In Ontario, for instance, university students must enrol in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), which provides coverage comparable to OHIP for medically necessary services. 

Student health plans may or may not cover add-ons like medication, dental, and vision care. Review your provincial and school insurance plan carefully and consider supplementary private insurance if there are gaps. 

How to Get Health Insurance in Canada as a Foreign Worker 

Whether you qualify for provincial health insurance as a foreign worker depends on the province, as well as the type and duration of your work permit. 

Most provinces require your work permit to be valid for at least six to 12 months to be eligible for health coverage. Some provinces, including Manitoba and B.C., also have a waiting period of up to three months before coverage begins. 

If you have an employer-specific work permit, your employer may be required to pay for your private health insurance which covers emergency medical expenses when you’renot covered provincially. Some exceptions apply. If you’re on an open work permit, you may need to arrange private health insurance during the waiting period.  

Provincial and employer-driven emergency coverage typically does not extend to dental care, prescription drugs, or vision. Unless your employer offers a group benefits plan that covers these, a personal health insurance plan is worth considering. 

If you’re coming to Canada under International Experience Canada (IEC), you’re responsible for purchasing private health insurance for the duration of your work permit. This insurance must cover the IEC health insurance requirements specified by the Government of Canada. 

Health Insurance in Canada for Permanent Residents 

Canadian residents are entitled to free coverage under their province’s public health insurance plan.  

Many provinces, including Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, provide coverage from the date you register. In British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec, permanent residents must wait for up to three months before being eligible for provincial coverage. Many newcomers get travel or health insurance to cover emergency expenses during waiting periods. 

Once you have your health card, you’re covered for medically necessary services. Prescriptions, dental, and vision are not covered for most adults under provincial plans, though some provinces offer partial drug coverage based on income. 

Uninsured health services can be quite expensive in Canada. If you’re not covered for drugs, dental, vision, and paramedical services under your employer’s group plan, consider personal health insurance to cover those gaps. 

How to Get Health Insurance in Canada as a Visitor 

If you’re in Canada on a visitor visa, you do not qualify for provincial health insurance. Emergency medical care is generally available even without a health card, but it is not free for visitors. It is, therefore, advisable to get, health insurance or travel insurance for your stay. 

For short stays, a visitors-to-Canada insurance policy covers emergency medical costs including hospital stays and ambulance services. Coverage limits vary significantly between plans, typically ranging from $25,000 to $300,000. Premiums depend on your age, health, stay duration, and deductible. 

If you plan to stay for four months or longer, consider private health insurance instead. It offers broader coverage than travel insurance, and may include doctor visits, prescriptions, dental and vision care, and ongoing care.  

If you’re a parent or grandparent visiting on a super visa, private health insurance is mandatory. The government maintains a list of approved insurance providers you can choose from. 

How to Compare Personal Health Insurance in Canada 

Personal health insurance can vary significantly in coverage and cost. These are the key factors to evaluate when comparing options: 

• Core vs. add-on coverage. Base plans usually cover inpatient and hospital care. Outpatient care, prescription drugs, dental, and vision care are often optional.  
• Annual limits. Each coverage category typically has an annual maximum.  
• Deductible and co-insurance. A higher deductible lowers your premium but increases out-of-pocket costs. Some plans also include a co-insurance component, where you share a percentage of costs with the insurer. 
• Waiting periods. Some plans have a waiting period before you can claim on certain services. 
• Pre-existing conditions. Standard personal health insurance often excludes or limits coverage for pre-existing conditions. Guaranteed issue plans accept applicants regardless of health history but generally have higher premiums. 
• Some providers also offer critical illness insurance as an add-on, which provides a lump-sum payment if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer or a heart attack.
• Your immigration status. Some plans place restrictions on temporary residents or require a minimum visit duration. Confirm your eligibility before purchasing. 
• Premium costs. Some providers offer flexible plans to help adjust premiums. 

Our partner, Cigna Healthcare, offers personal health insurance plans that can be tailored to your situation. If you plan to be in Canada for 4+ months, get a quote that fits your needs and budget. 

FAQs about Health Insurance in Canada

Can I add my boyfriend to my health insurance in Canada? 

It depends on the nature of your relationship. Most private and employer group plans in Canada allow you to add a spouse or common-law partner as a dependent. Common-law status is defined as cohabiting in a qualifying relationship for at least 12 continuous months. A partner who doesn’t meet that threshold generally would not qualify as a dependent. You’ll need documentation confirming the relationship, such as proof of shared address. 

For provincial health insurance, your partner would need to meet the residency and immigration status requirements independently. 

Does private health insurance cover prescription drugs in Canada? 

Yes, in most cases. Prescription drugs are not covered by public health insurance in most cases, so private coverage fills that gap. Most health insurance providers offer a drug benefit with an annual maximum and sometimes a co-payment. Check whether your specific medication is included on a plan’s formulary. 

More Helpful Healthcare Resources for Newcomers to Canada

• Learn the process step by step on how prescriptions work in Canada and when you have to pay.
• New to Canada and not sure what insurance you need? Our article Coverage on Your First Months in Canada covers it in simple terms.
• Many people compare Canada to the UK. See how Canada’s healthcare system differs from the NHS and why it matters.
• Pregnant and planning to move? Learn how pregnancy affects visas and healthcare access in Canada.