Health and Dental Insurance in Ontario
Insured for wellness at every step
Dental insurance in Ontario helps with costs such as cleanings and fillings that OHIP generally does not cover, and health plans can add things like prescription drugs and vision. Insurewise is an independent broker in North York, Toronto. We help individuals and families compare plans from the insurers we work with.
Coverage differs from plan to plan, so we will walk you through what each one includes.
Health and dental insurance from an independent broker
Health and dental insurance are a big part of your overall well-being. They can help you access care and manage costs when you need them. We can tailor plans to your needs by comparing what different insurers offer.
We do not push one plan. We explain the options in plain words so you can decide what is worth it for you.
What private health and dental plans can cover
Plans may cover some or all of the following. What is included, and the limits, differ between plans.
Dental care
May cover routine exams, cleanings and fillings, and sometimes larger work like crowns or orthodontics, up to a yearly limit.
Prescription drugs
May cover a portion of the cost of prescribed medications. Some plans have a deductible or a yearly maximum.
Vision
May help with eye exams, glasses or contact lenses, usually up to a set amount every year or two.
Paramedical services
May cover visits to practitioners such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists, often with a limit on the number of visits or dollars.
Other extended health
Some plans add extras such as medical equipment or ambulance costs. Ask us what a plan includes before you decide.
How this fits with OHIP
OHIP covers many core health services, but it does not cover most routine adult dental care, and it only covers some drug and other health costs. Private plans are designed to help with what is left over.
For the current details, see the Ontario government's OHIP pages.
Dental insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan
The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan helps eligible Canadian residents with dental costs. One of its rules is that you cannot have access to private dental insurance, and there are tax-filing and family income rules too. Check the Government of Canada page to see if you qualify. We cannot decide that for you.
A private plan can fit people who do not qualify, or who want different coverage. If you are thinking about the federal plan, check how a private plan could affect your eligibility before you buy one.
Who looks for individual plans
Many people look at a plan of their own when they do not have one through work. For example:
- Self-employed people and business owners
- People between jobs
- People whose employer plan is missing or limited
- Families who want dental and health costs covered in one place
Availability, waiting periods and limits depend on the plan and the insurer, so we will check what is open to you.
How we help
We start by asking what you need, then compare plans and explain them. One client, Dilip, said of Sajad: "He also searched and obtained health insurance at a very good rate."
You may also want to look at your life insurance or travel insurance at the same time, since a plan for everyday costs does not cover them.
Coverage, eligibility and pricing depend on the insurer's underwriting and the policy wording. Information on this site is general and is not a quote or a policy.
Health and dental insurance questions
Still wondering about something? Call 416-383-0901 and ask, or see our contact page for the address and email.
Only in a limited way. OHIP covers some dental surgery done in a hospital, but it does not cover dental services provided in a dentist's office, such as cleanings and fillings. Private dental plans are designed to help with those costs. The Ontario government's page on what OHIP covers has the latest details.
Individual plans exist for people who do not have an employer plan. Availability, waiting periods and limits depend on the plan and the insurer. Ask us and we will explain what is available for your situation.
Some plans have a waiting period before certain benefits, such as major dental work, start to apply. It depends on the insurer and the plan, so ask us to check before you sign up.
Most plans let you choose your own provider, but some have rules or preferred networks. Ask us about the plan you are considering and we will confirm how it works.
It varies by plan, so we cannot give a price without knowing who needs coverage. Cost depends on the benefits, yearly limits, waiting periods and who is on the plan. Tell us what matters to you and we will compare plans from the insurers we work with and explain the trade-offs.
It is a federal plan that helps eligible Canadian residents with dental costs. You cannot qualify if you have access to private dental insurance, and other rules apply. If you do not qualify, or want different coverage, a private plan may fit. Check the Government of Canada page, then ask us.
Plans may cover routine exams, cleanings and fillings, and sometimes larger work such as crowns or orthodontics, up to a yearly limit. Some plans have waiting periods or only pay a share of the cost. What is included depends on the plan, so ask us to check the details before you sign up.
Sources: Ontario.ca, health cards, eligibility and coverage, Ontario.ca, what OHIP covers, Government of Canada, Canadian Dental Care Plan
Talk to Sajad about health and dental insurance
Tell us who needs coverage and what matters most. We will come back with options and explain them in plain words.