Who should have supplementary health insurance?

Health insurance is important no matter what stage of life you are in. As government health insurance doesn't cover everything, ensuring you and your family have supplemental health insurance coverage for your everyday health needs, unexpected emergencies and protection from rising health costs should always be a priority.

Who can benefit from supplementary insurance?

You may want to consider getting individual health insurance specifically if:

• Your don’t have supplementary health insurance coverage through work
  Provincial health insurance coverage can be limited. As a result, it's a good idea to fill in the gaps with supplementary coverage that protects you if you are currently not covered by your employer or you are not eligible for benefits at your place of employment.



• You're an entrepreneur
  Consider supplementary coverage if you are self-employed, working within a budget, and perhaps do not have a group plan set-up.



• You're preparing for retirement
  Since the employee benefits plan you're accustomed to at your work place likely won't cover your retirement years, be prepared for the future with supplementary health insurance.



• You or someone in your family requires special needs coverage
  Supplementary coverage is a good idea if you or one of your dependants needs additional coverage for special needs that are not covered by your current group or work plan.



• If you want to enhance your current plan
  If you already have coverage from your current employer, but are looking for additional benefits that may not be covered, supplementary health insurance allows you the flexibility to pick and choose exactly what coverage you want

Who is covered under a supplementary package?

Typically the individual who is a member, as well as eligible dependents such as a spouse/ partner and children under 19 (or older in some cases if they are students), can be covered under individual health insurance.

Do you know what most Canadian's know?

You won’t be alone if you buy supplemental health insurance or dental insurance. Across Canada, every province has a large number of people who have bought into a supplementary health insurance plan:

Ontario:	8.8 million
Quebec:	5.2 million
British Columbia:	2.6 million
Alberta:	2.3 million
Manitoba:	730,000
Nova Scotia:	630,000
Saskatchewan:	550,000
New Brunswick:	520,000
Newfoundland & Labrador:	370,000
Prince Edward Island:	100,000

*Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon not surveyed

Are you part of the majority?

Based on how many Canadians have it, it seems that most are aware of the benefits of having supplementary coverage in addition to provincial health coverage. Make sure you are prepared as well; shop around for health insurance coverage.