Private health insurance in Canada, explained

What private health insurance covers

Private health insurance picks up where provincial coverage stops. The public system pays for hospital stays and physician visits; private coverage reimburses the everyday and major costs that fall outside it:

• Prescription drugs taken outside hospital — often the single largest benefit.
• Dental — cleanings, fillings, and (on higher tiers) major restorative work. See our dental insurance guide.
• Vision — eye exams plus an allowance for glasses or contacts.
• Paramedical — physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic, psychology, and similar practitioners, each with its own annual cap.
• Mental-health and other extras — counselling, private or semi-private hospital rooms, and medical equipment on comprehensive plans.

Plan types and what they cost

Private health plans come in three broad tiers. Basic plans start around $32/month for an individual and cover the everyday gaps. Enhanced plans ($60–$120/month) add wider dental, higher paramedical caps, and mental-health benefits. Comprehensive plans ($130+/month) add semi-private rooms, specialty drugs, and child orthodontics — usually worth it only for families with specific needs.

For a fuller picture of how this all fits with provincial coverage, start at our health insurance in Canada pillar, or look at supplemental health insurance if you mainly want to top up an existing group plan.