Everyday Health Coverage for Individuals, Families & Self-Employed Canadians
Health and dental insurance can help cover routine care, prescriptions, dental visits, vision care, paramedical services, and other eligible expenses not fully covered by provincial health plans.
Start With Your Situation
Choose the situation that fits you to see what to prepare and where to go next.
I’ve never had workplace benefits
Start with the expenses you want help covering and a monthly budget you are comfortable with.
- List your current prescriptions and costs.
- Identify your dental, vision and other health priorities.
- Compare eligibility, exclusions and benefit limits across plans.
My workplace benefits are ending
Confirm your benefits end date and ask promptly about options available when group coverage ends.
- Bring your current benefit summary and termination date.
- Ask which application deadlines and eligibility conditions apply.
- Confirm coverage for ongoing needs and the proposed start date.
I’m reviewing my current plan
Compare your existing coverage with your current needs before deciding whether to keep or change it.
- Gather your policy, premium and recent claims information.
- Note benefits you use, limits you reach and expenses you pay yourself.
- Confirm replacement eligibility, exclusions, waiting periods and start date before cancelling existing coverage.
Coverage and eligibility vary by insurer and plan. PDF worksheets open in a new tab.
Help Manage Routine and Unexpected Healthcare Costs
Provincial health plans do not cover everything. Private health and dental insurance can help reduce out-of-pocket costs and make it easier to access care when you need it.
Prescription Drugs
Helps cover eligible prescription medication costs depending on the plan selected.
Dental Care
Coverage may include exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and other eligible dental services.
Vision Care
May help with eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and eligible vision expenses.
Paramedical Services
Plans may include services such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, psychology, and more.
Coverage for People Without Workplace Benefits
Health and dental coverage may be especially useful for individuals, families, retirees, contractors, self-employed professionals, and people transitioning away from employer benefits.
Individuals & Families
Helps manage regular healthcare, dental, prescription, and vision expenses.
Self-Employed Canadians
Useful for business owners, contractors, consultants, and incorporated professionals without employer plans.
Retirees & Pre-Retirees
Can help replace workplace benefits after retirement or during a transition period.
People Between Jobs
Provides temporary or ongoing protection when group benefits are no longer available.
What Should You Compare?
Coverage Limits
Review annual limits, maximums, deductibles, coinsurance, and eligible expenses.
Dental Levels
Compare basic, major restorative, orthodontic, recall frequency, and reimbursement levels.
Prescription Needs
Consider current medications, recurring prescriptions, and plan drug coverage rules.
Budget & Value
The right plan should balance monthly premium, expected usage, and protection from larger expenses.
Compare Your Options With a Video and Checklist
Understand the questions to ask, then use the free checklist to prepare for your own plan comparison.
Prepare Your Comparison Questions
Review eligibility, prescription coverage, dental limits, waiting periods and total cost. Bring the checklist to a conversation about the options that fit your needs.
Free checklist. No signup required. PDF opens in a new tab. Coverage and eligibility vary by insurer and plan.
Free Family Insurance Toolkit
Helping a Parent With Insurance Paperwork?
Prepare consent questions, organize receipts and follow a health or dental claim with our free family checklist, organizer and claim tracker.
Free to use. No sign-up required.
Print the checklist and keep your records privately.
Health & Dental Insurance Is About Practical Everyday Protection
The goal is to help reduce out-of-pocket costs, support preventive care, and make routine healthcare more manageable for you and your family.
Need Coverage Outside a Workplace Plan?
We can help you review your healthcare needs, prescription usage, dental priorities, family coverage requirements, and budget to identify suitable health and dental options.
Canadian Dental Care Plan: Where Should You Start?
Have questions about the Canadian Dental Care Plan and your existing coverage? Watch this video, then check the current government guidance before making coverage decisions.
Questions to Check Before Making Changes
- Do I have access to dental coverage through work, a pension, a family member or a private plan?
- Do I meet all current CDCP eligibility requirements?
- What services, approvals and personal costs should I confirm before treatment?
- What other health benefits would be affected if I changed my existing insurance?
From Information to Action
Would a brief review of your health and dental coverage be useful? Bring your questions about your current benefits and protection needs.
General educational information. GMFSI does not determine CDCP eligibility. Consult current Government of Canada guidance and confirm treatment coverage and costs with your dental provider.
Explore your coverage options
No Workplace Benefits?
Compare health and dental insurance options in Ontario. Learn what to check for prescriptions, dental care, coverage limits, and guaranteed acceptance before choosing a plan.
Read the Health & Dental Guide →What Could Your Savings Provide in Retirement?
Explore how your current savings, ongoing contributions, investment return and retirement timeline may shape your future portfolio and potential retirement income.
- ✓ Project your future savings
- ✓ Estimate retirement income
- ✓ Compare inflation-adjusted values
Gain confidence before making
your next financial decision.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, investing for the future, protecting your family, or simply looking for greater financial clarity, every successful plan begins with one conversation.
Choose how you’d like to get started:
Partners & Carriers We Work With
Independent access to multiple leading insurers across Canada.
Visit Assumption Life
Visit Foresters Financial
Visit Humania Assurance
Visit Canada Protection Plan
Visit Industrial Alliance
Visit Sun Life Financial
Visit Desjardins Financial Security
Visit Canada Life
Visit Empire Life
Visit RBC Insurance
Visit Equitable Life of Canada
Visit Manulife Financial
Visit Beneva Insurance
Visit Green Shield Canada
Visit Assumption Life
Visit Foresters Financial
Visit Humania Assurance
Visit Canada Protection Plan
Visit Industrial Alliance
Visit Sun Life Financial
Visit Desjardins Financial Security
Visit Canada Life
Visit Empire Life
Visit RBC Insurance
Visit Equitable Life of Canada
Visit Manulife Financial
Visit Beneva Insurance
Visit Green Shield Canada