Health and dental insurance for what your provincial plan leaves out
Provincial health plans cover doctors and hospitals, but not most prescription drugs, dental work, glasses, physiotherapy or mental-health counselling. Health and dental insurance fills those gaps, which is why it matters most for freelancers, self-employed Canadians, early retirees, newcomers and anyone without a workplace benefits plan.
Bima helps you pick a coverage tier, shows indicative ranges from Canadian carriers, and connects you with a licensed advisor who confirms the plan details.
Free, about 3 minutes, no obligation
What a typical plan covers
Plans are sold in tiers, from basic to comprehensive. Most include some mix of:
- Prescription drugs, usually a percentage of the cost up to an annual limit
- Dental: cleanings and check-ups, with higher tiers adding fillings, crowns and orthodontics
- Vision: eye exams and an allowance for glasses or contacts
- Paramedical practitioners such as physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and psychologists
- Travel medical coverage for short trips outside your province
What affects the cost
Premiums depend on your age, the tier you choose and whether the plan covers just you, a couple or a family. Guaranteed-issue plans skip medical questions and accept pre-existing conditions, usually with waiting periods; underwritten plans ask health questions and can be cheaper. Bima's checkup collects age, tier and family status to show a range before you decide.
Leaving a group plan
If you are leaving an employer, many carriers offer conversion plans you can join within a set number of days of your group coverage ending, without medical questions. A licensed advisor can tell you whether that window applies and whether an individual plan would serve you better.
Bima shows indicative rate ranges calculated from published carrier tables. They are estimates only. A licensed advisor confirms your final premium before anything is bound.
Health & Dental insurance questions, answered
Do I need health insurance if I have a provincial health card?
Your card covers doctors and hospitals. Drugs, dental, vision and paramedical care are mostly out of pocket without a private plan.
Can newcomers to Canada buy health and dental insurance?
Yes. Plans are available to residents once provincial coverage begins, and some carriers offer interim coverage for the waiting period in provinces that have one. Ask your advisor which applies to you.
Are Bima's health and dental ranges final?
No. They are indicative ranges from published carrier tables. A licensed advisor confirms the plan, its limits and the premium.