Provincial health care plans cover basic medical services but often leave out important areas like prescription drugs, dental care, vision, and paramedical services such as physiotherapy and chiropractic care. A personal health and dental insurance plan fills these gaps and helps you manage additional health expenses, especially as your needs increase with age.

Start by assessing your current and anticipated health needs. Consider whether you need coverage for prescription drugs, dental work, vision care, or paramedical services. Each plan offers different levels of coverage, so choose one that matches your medical history and budget. For example, if you have pre-existing conditions, a plan like Pacific Blue Cross's Guaranteed Acceptance might be ideal, whereas those retiring from a group plan might prefer their Retirement Health Plan.

Yes. Some plans, such as Pacific Blue Cross's Guaranteed Acceptance and Retirement Health Plan, guarantee coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, with no medical exam or questionnaire required.

Pacific Blue Cross – Guaranteed Acceptance focuses on providing coverage without any medical questionnaires and offers flexible tiers to customize your plan.

Pacific Blue Cross – Retirement Health Plan is ideal for those retiring from group plans, offering coverage with no age limit and guaranteed acceptance for pre-existing conditions.

Canada Life – Guaranteed Plus provides broad coverage with no medical exam and includes options for prescription drugs, paramedical services, and private hospital rooms.

Sun Life – Personal Health Insurance offers a comprehensive plan ideal for retirees or those looking to top up coverage, focusing on prescription drugs, dental, vision, and other health services.

Yes, most of these plans offer prescription drug coverage. For example, Pacific Blue Cross and Canada Life offer options for drug cards, allowing you to pay only your portion at the pharmacy, while Sun Life includes coverage for prescription drugs to treat chronic or serious conditions.

Dental coverage varies by plan. Basic services like cleanings and fillings are usually covered up to 80%, with higher levels of coverage available for major services like root canals, bridges, and crowns. Each plan provides different levels of dental coverage, such as the tiered Bronze, Silver, and Gold options in Pacific Blue Cross's plans.

Yes, most plans offer vision care, including coverage for eye exams and glasses or contact lenses. For instance, Canada Life covers up to $200 every two years, and Sun Life provides coverage for eye exams and prescription glasses.

Yes, most of these plans are specifically designed for retirees or those nearing retirement. Pacific Blue Cross's Retirement Health Plan, for instance, is designed for retirees coming off group plans, and Sun Life offers flexible options for retirees as well.

You can apply directly through the provider’s website. Be sure to check each provider’s application requirements, such as applying within a certain period after your group coverage ends or being a certain age.

Yes, some plans, such as Pacific Blue Cross's Retirement Health Plan, allow you to upgrade or change your coverage on your plan's anniversary date to meet future healthcare needs.