Health & Dental Insurance
More support for the everyday health expenses life brings
Canada’s public health care system provides essential medical and hospital services, but it does not cover every health-related expense.
Prescription medications, dental care, vision care, paramedical services and medical equipment can still leave individuals and families with significant out-of-pocket costs. Personal health and dental insurance may help make these expenses more manageable—especially if you are self-employed, retired, between workplace plans or do not have employee benefits.
Helping fill the gaps in public health care
Supplementary health and dental insurance is designed to help cover certain eligible expenses that your provincial or territorial health plan may not fully cover.
Depending on the plan selected, coverage may include:
Prescription Drugs
Help with the cost of eligible medications prescribed by a qualified health care professional.
Dental Care
Coverage may be available for eligible preventive, basic and major dental services, depending on the plan.
Vision Care
Support for eligible eye examinations, prescription glasses and contact lenses.
Paramedical Services
Coverage may include eligible services provided by professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists, massage therapists and other practitioners.
Medical Services and Equipment
Certain plans may help with expenses such as ambulance services, hearing aids, mobility aids, medical supplies or private nursing care.
Coverage, limits, exclusions, waiting periods and eligibility requirements vary by insurer and plan.
What about the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Understanding your options before purchasing private dental coverage
The Canadian Dental Care Plan—or CDCP—is a federal program that helps cover part of the cost of eligible oral health services for qualifying Canadian residents.
To qualify, an applicant must generally:
- Not have access to private dental insurance or coverage
- Have filed the required Canadian tax returns
- Have an adjusted family net income below $90,000
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
Access to private dental coverage may include insurance offered through an employer, pension plan, spouse or family member, professional or student organization, or a plan purchased privately.
It can also include supplementary or top-up insurance that provides dental benefits and health spending accounts that can be used for dental expenses.
Important
Purchasing private dental insurance will generally make you ineligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan because CDCP members cannot have access to private dental insurance or coverage.
Before purchasing coverage, confirm your eligibility directly with the Government of Canada and carefully review whether the proposed insurance plan includes dental benefits.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP portion of established fees | Member co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Below $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000–$79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000–$89,999 | 40% | 60% |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible based on income | — |
Additional charges may still apply even when the CDCP covers 100% of its established fee. Government of Canada coverage information
However, purchasing private dental insurance to cover these remaining costs would generally make the individual ineligible for the CDCP.
However, purchasing private dental insurance to cover these remaining costs would generally make the individual ineligible for the CDCP.
Which type of coverage may be appropriate?
You do not qualify for the CDCP
If you do not qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan and do not have access to workplace benefits, personal health and dental insurance may help reduce eligible out-of-pocket expenses.
You currently qualify for the CDCP
Purchasing dental insurance could affect your eligibility. You may wish to retain your CDCP coverage and personally pay any co-payments, fee differences or uncovered dental services.
Health-only insurance may be worth exploring, provided the selected plan does not include dental benefits or a health spending account that covers dental expenses.
You have workplace or association benefits
Review your existing coverage before purchasing another plan. Your current benefits may already cover some of your health and dental expenses, or you may only need protection in specific areas.
You are losing group benefits
If you are retiring, becoming self-employed or leaving an employer, certain insurers may offer plans intended for people transitioning from group coverage. Application deadlines and eligibility conditions may apply.
Coverage designed around your circumstances
No single health and dental plan is right for everyone. Your needs may depend on:
- Your age and family situation
- Existing workplace or government benefits
- Prescription medication expenses
- Expected dental and vision needs
- Your province or territory of residence
- Your budget
- Plan exclusions, limits and waiting periods
- Your eligibility for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
We can help you review the available options and understand how a proposed plan may fit alongside your existing public or workplace coverage.
**A.C.H Essentials does not administer the Canadian Dental Care Plan and does not determine or guarantee eligibility, coverage or reimbursement under the program. CDCP eligibility and benefits are established by the Government of Canada and may change. Confirm current program information directly with the Government of Canada before purchasing private dental insurance or coverage. Insurance products are subject to availability, eligibility, underwriting, policy terms, limitations and exclusions. A licensed representative will assess your needs before recommending an insurance product.
Let’s review your options carefully.
Your health coverage should complement the protection you already have—not create unexpected gaps or affect government benefits you intended to keep.
We’ll help you review your current coverage, priorities and eligibility before exploring suitable insurance options.