The various health insurance plans in Canada play vital roles in ensuring access to quality healthcare for citizens and permanent residents of the country. Additionally, they eliminate the need for excessive medical bills at the point of care.
Canada’s healthcare attracts visitors and researchers from around the world. While some want to benefit from this structure, others hope to study its mechanics to help their home country.
With public plans covering medically necessary conditions and private options offering customized insurance, there’s no excuse to neglect your health in Canada. In case you’re curious about your options, you’ll find that the sole purpose of this article is to create awareness of Canada’s health policies.
How do health insurance plans in Canada work?
In Canada, you won’t have to break the bank to access healthcare as there’s insurance to cover your medical bills. For instance, citizens who are automatic beneficiaries of Medicare, the public health plan, don’t pay for medical care.
They can also visit doctors and hospitals under this plan at any time. Whether it’s prescription drugs or regular appointments, they have the right to basic medical services.
Each province caters to the health insurance of citizens under its jurisdiction. These services are regulated by the Canada Health Act of 1984 to achieve universality and accessibility.
However, if yours is a special case or you need a doctor who’s not under Medicare, you can tap into private health plans. Choosing this may incur more out-of-pocket costs, but you are sure of getting services at a reduced price. Before purchasing anything outside public insurance, it’s necessary to study premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for that plan.
Types of Health Insurance Plans in Canada
Canada boasts of two major health insurance plans. As a citizen, you can choose public insurance if you are fine with the basic features. You can also upgrade to private health plans for additional coverage. Here’s an outline of these plans to guide your decision.
Public health insurance
Courtesy of taxpayers‘ money, medicare is available to all citizens and permanent residents. While it’s publicly funded, it is administered separately on a provincial or territorial level. This means you need an ID to show you’re from a particular province to access the coverage under that province. However, this plan covers only basic procedures and health care needs.
Coverage features
- Family doctor visits, outpatient clinic appointment
- Radiation therapy
- Cancer support services
- Prescription drugs
- Dental care
- Mental health services
- Diagnostic tests, scans, genetic testing
Private health insurance
As expected, private plans extend coverage for services not covered by public insurance. In exchange for premiums, you can tailor your plan to fit your special needs.
- Individual insurance
This insurance type is one to consider if you are retired or self-employed. Additionally, if you are not eligible for employer’s benefits, you can still purchase your insurance. What’s more? You can customize your coverage features to fit your budget and needs.
Coverage features
- Medical supplies
- Ambulance services
- Prescription drugs
- Hearing aids
- Vision care
- Hospital accommodation
- Dental care
- In-home nursing and health aide care
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Workplace insurance
Where the provincial benefits stop, workplace health insurance takes over. It is made available to employees or members of associations whose needs are not covered under the basic option. Most people also consider this an affordable option because it is purchased as a group. You can also adjust this plan to accommodate your special needs, whether it is for dental, vision, paramedical services
Coverage options
- Paramedical services
- Ambulance services
- Dental care
- Prescription drugs
- Vision care
Benefits of the health insurance plans in Canada
- Universal coverage: Health insurance plans in Canada are structured to provide citizens with medical services when necessary. There’s no reason to worry about payment, as everyone is entitled to basic coverage.
- Preventive healthcare: Courtesy of the universal coverage in Canada, preventive healthcare is a common procedure anyone can access. This means there is early detection of diseases that could develop into threatening conditions. It also shuts off any reason to spend money treating long-term diseases.
- Cost efficiency: The success of universal health insurance is attributed to public taxation. Compared to other private schemes, the government ensures individuals can enjoy medical care at minimal cost.
Conclusion
- To summarize, citizens and permanents in Canada have a wide range of health insurance plans to reduce medical bills. Before you switch from the universal plan, check with your province to avoid paying for something the government provides for free.
