The extent to which these additional benefits are covered varies greatly from province to province.  As a result, there may still be products and services that are not covered under the provincial plans, leaving you and your children vulnerable to the financial impact of an unexpected illness or injury.  Because children tend to get sick more often than adults and have other special health care needs, the cost of maintaining your children’s good health can add up quickly.  If you have kids, purchasing a supplemental insurance policy can help protect you from these out-of-pocket expenses.

Does Your Family Need Supplemental Health Insurance?

Through Canada’s health insurance program, provinces must provide certain common features and a basic level of coverage to all of their residents, including children.  However, after meeting the required standard of care, the coverage provided through the provincial plans varies.  Individual provinces and territories may offer additional benefits to certain segments of the population, including children.  While these services differ across provinces and territories, examples include prescription drugs, dental, vision, chiropractic and ambulance services.

When deciding whether or not to purchase a supplemental health insurance plan for your family, it is important to carefully review the benefits available under your provincial plan to identify any gaps in coverage that might exist.  You should also assess the needs of your children to determine the amount of coverage that is necessary.  After assessing these two factors, you can make a decision about whether or not you need to purchase a Canada health insurance plan for your family.

Choosing the Plan That’s Right for Your Family

If you do decide that obtaining an individual health insurance plan is the right decision for you and your family, you’ll want to make sure you choose one that meets your needs.  Just as coverage varies by province, it also varies by insurance plan.  It is important to find out what products and services are covered as well as what is excluded.  If your child has a pre-existing condition, you need to know whether or not treatment associated with it will be covered.  Don’t forget to consider all of the costs associated with the plan you purchase, including premiums, deductibles and co-payments.

With so many things to consider, choosing the right plan may seem overwhelming, but a customer service representative can help.  A knowledgeable insurance professional can assess your individual situation and help you review the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision about the plan that is right for you and your family.