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This page will provide you with links to information, providers and news relating to health insurance for Canadians.

Information

While the health-care system in Canada ensures that virtually everyone living here has access to medical services in any part of the country, it doesn't cover everything. That's where private, or extended, health insurance comes in: it is meant to pick up where your government plan ends. Private health insurance is not the same as emergency health – or travel medical – insurance that you may consider purchasing when you travel outside Canada. Rather, it covers the day-to-day surgeries and treatments that can add up to big bills.

If you are looking for travel health insurance, you should check the travel section as well – many providers offer both general and travel health products.

See our buying checklist for some key questions to ask your insurance provider before you purchase health insurance.

If you are doing research and wondering where to buy, check our “Provider Directories” below.

Provider Directories

Each of the following directories contains a brief overview and contact information for a select list of featured providers.

• Quotes
• Critical Illness
• Disability
• Health & Dental
• Medical Access Insurance
• Personal Accident
• Supplemental or Excess
• Visitor to Canada

News and Articles

Suggestions, commentary, ideas and general information about health insurance in Canada.

• CAMH Study finds that treatment of depression can increase work productivity
• CIHI - The baby boom effect: caring for Canada's aging population
• Sun Life Canadian Health Index™ reveals majority of Canadians aren't prepared for future health costs
• CIHI: Health spending to reach $200 billion in 2011
• TD Insurance and stress expert Beverly Beuermann-King share how critical illness insurance can help families avoid financial & emotional duress
• CAMH study confirms genetic link to suicidal behaviour
• Desjardins Financial Security Health Survey: Canadians worried about cancer, not financially prepared
• CIHI: Increased activity and healthier eating can improve obesity rates, but aren't the only factors at play
• CAMH survey finds Drinking, cannabis use and psychological distress increase
• CLHIA: Canadian Life and Health Insuranc Industry Applauds Development of Workplace Mental Health Standard
• Foresters announces $7 million partnership with non-profit KaBOOM! to build playgrounds in US and Canada
• Great-West: New smartphone health application helps better manage prescription medications
• The Co-operators partners with Victorian Order of Nurses for Seniors' Health and Safety
• Sun Life Wellness Institute partners with Ivey Business School in ground-breaking study on the impact of workplace wellness programs
• CAMH study shows workers most invested in their jobs have highest stress levels
• Sun Life study shows half of all Canadians not making health a priority
• CIHI Report: Health Care in Canada 2010 - Evidence of progress, but care not always appropriate
• Sun Life Financial study finds Canadians want to start 2011 on a healthy note but many lack the motivation to make it stick
• CAMH's Ontario-wide student survey shows high rates of psychological distress and concerning health indicators
• Injury hospitalizations are more likely among lower income groups: CIHI
• Ipsos-Reid: Can Technology Reduce Hospital and Doctor Wait Times?
• CIGNA Delivers for Healthy Babies, Adopts Innovative USA text4baby Program
• Growth in drug spending reaches lowest rate in a decade: CIHI
• Life and health insurance industry welcomes Ontario move to equal pricing for prescription drugs: CLHIA
• Most patients receiving care within recommended wait times for priority areas: CIHI
• CAMH's breaks ground and makes history: welcome to a new kind of hospital
• HealthQuotes.ca announces the availability of ELITE U.S. Healthcare™
• Time to Quit? Join Other Quitters at imaquitter.ca during National Non-Smoking Week: CAMH

For older news and articles, see our health insurance archive.