Every province has different coverage, but there are still many routine and emergency medical treatments that Canadians must pay for out of pocket. That’s where health insurance comes in. Having a plan can help you offset the costs of different treatments and items related to keeping you healthy.
When deciding whether or not you should get a plan, check your province’s health coverage and see where you could use a top up. Here is a list of the provincial health plans
Alberta: http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html
British Columbia: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-by-msp
Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/index.html
Newfoundland and Labrador: http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/mcp/healthplancoverage.html
Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/programs-and-services.asp
Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/what-ohip-covers
Prince Edward Island: http://www.healthpei.ca/ProgramAndServices.php
Quebec: http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance/Pages/health-insurance.aspx
Northwest Territories: http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-health-care-plan
Yukon: http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/yhcip.php
Nunavut: http://gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavut-health-care-plan
Each site should give you an idea of what you are already covered for, and which services are excluded.
The trouble is, there are many different supplementary plans with different coverage to choose from. How do you choose one that’s perfect for your needs? The search for such a plan can get complicated. An insurance broker can explain your options, so it would be in your and your family’s best interest to contact one.
Health insurance brokers frequently work with several providers, giving you a greater variety of plans to choose from. Also, many large health insurance providers don’t sell directly to the public, and a broker is the bridge between you and them.
Don’t Fly Solo
Your body is your temple, so you really have to take care of it. This includes medications, physical therapies, and also various treatments for your mental health and wellbeing.
Even if you aren’t injured or sick, you may wish to support your wellness through physiotherapy, naturopathy or chiropractic services. Money should not dictate whether or not you can try to improve your health.
If something does happen and you are without health insurance, your costs can really do a number on your savings. Do you want to take the gamble of not having a plan and hoping that nothing bad happens to your health? It’s too big of a risk.
Things to Consider
Before you decide to purchase a health insurance plan, you should have a good idea of what your needs are. Do you need a plan just for yourself, or do you need coverage for the rest of your family?
While there are some plans out there that will allow just one person over the age of 16 to enrol in an individual plan, most insurance companies require everyone in the family to enrol at the same time.
An insurance broker will go over some questions and help you figure out what kind of plan would best suit your needs. They will also go over what you need to do if you have a pre-existing condition. If you are leaving one plan for a new one, you must enroll for the new plan within 60 to 90 days.
What a Broker Can Do
It’s hard to know where to begin, but calling a broker is a good start. Brokers are familiar with plan details and can assess your needs, as well as your family’s. They can also educate you on the different levels of coverage, so you don’t have to sift through all the information alone.
A broker will explain what is covered under each plan, such as medications, vision care, specialist treatments and more. They will also explain the cost of each plan and what your premium, deductible and co-payments may be.
Once you know what you’ll be paying each month, you’ll probably find that this cost is nothing compared to the potential costs if you didn’t have a health insurance plan at all. When you work with a broker, you will get the information needed to compare plans and make the right choices.
Don’t Wait Any Longer
There are so many questions when you first start looking at plans. Health insurance brokers have customer service representatives who can take your call and help you with your questions. They can even help after you’ve already purchased a plan, and make any changes that need to be made.
For additional information, call our office today and find out how to get a great health insurance plan that’s perfect for you.
Hello,
We recently moved back to Toronto and are looking for additional medical/health/dental coverage for myself (39), wife (38), and 2 children (7 & 2). We have OHIP and are looking for good options that offer inclusive benefits at an aggressive cost as well. We also need a partner that is hassle-free in terms of admin processes and coverage.
Thank you,
Taher
We stand behind all the insurance companies that we offer to our clients as a broker to meet the concerns you have outlined.
The easiest way to determine which insurer and plan that is best for your needs and budget is to give us a call and we can discuss your situation and give you the option that best suit your needs.