The beautiful thing about healthcare in Canada is that many emergency and physician services are free for permanent residents. Our neighbours to the south often talk about how Canada’s healthcare plan is idyllic. But not everything in Canada related to healthcare is free.

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.

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.

Don’t let the challenge stop you from getting coverage

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 well-being.

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.

Here’s where to start

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, other insurance companies require everyone in the family to sign up at the same time.

And here’s your next best step: contact your broker

An insurance broker like SBIS can make things so much easier – all at no cost to you!

Health insurance brokers work with several providers, giving you a greater variety of plans to choose from. Brokers are familiar with plan details and can assess your needs, as well as your family’s.

Then your broker will get to work to educate you, so you don’t have to sift through all the information alone. They will

  • Compare quotes
  • Find specialty coverage
  • Provide online purchase options
  • Talk to you by telephone – only when YOU want to consult with an expert.

Your 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 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.

Your 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 a group benefit plan, you must enrol in a new individual health plan within 90 days.

The best part is that 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

SBIS representatives are friendly experts who 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. Don’t put off getting the health insurance you need any longer. Call today – we’re happy to help.