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All Canadians can use public-funded healthcare facilities for free under the Canadian healthcare system. However, if you are looking for multi-provincial or international coverage and comprehensive treatment and services in Canada, opt to secure supplementary private health insurance.
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There is so much more you should know than that. Do you know the limitations of the highly-rated system? How can you ensure coverage abroad? This Pacific Prime article will address these questions, so you can make informed decisions on securing complementary private health insurance.
Public Healthcare in Canada
Medicare is Canada’s public-funded healthcare system, which provides residents with free access to reliable hospital and physician services for medically necessary treatments and services. It operates through the collaboration between territorial and federal governments. Here are the key features:
- Universal Coverage: All Canadians are subject to free or subsidized healthcare services. This ensures everyone can access necessary medical interventions, regardless of income or employment status.
- Consolidated Administration: The management and delivery of medical services are shared between territorial and federal governments, ensuring the needs of every individual within each territory or province are met.
However, the system also has its shortcomings. For globally mobile Canadian expats who could be traveling in and out of the country, and residents who are looking for more than just the essential coverage provided by the government, many considered opting for private health insurance due to the:
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- Service Exclusions: Healthcare services that are excluded from the national system are ambulance and emergency services, dental and vision care, physiotherapy, psychological services, outpatient prescription medications, medical equipment, massage therapy, and private hospital room stays.
- Long Wait Times: Public healthcare services are known for their notoriously long wait times, with 56% of Canadians waiting more than 4 weeks to see a specialist, or even more, for orthopedic surgeries and cancer treatments.
- Plan Expiry: Canadian healthcare coverage expires in 6 to 8 months after moving overseas and has not been back within the period. After expiry, you are subject to a waiting period before you can enjoy public healthcare services again.
Depending on your situation, you will need supplementary coverage for services not included in your provincial healthcare plan or backup insurance coverage to ensure seamless healthcare coverage in the event of ineligibility for Canadian healthcare insurance due to plan expiry.
- Limited Out-of-Country Coverage: Many Canadians are unaware that their provincial health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses out of their country. It is crucial to understand it is not a sustainable option to rely on the provincial plan outside Canada.
Private Healthcare in Canada
Canadian law only permits clinics and optometry offices to operate due to private healthcare being illegal. The public system covers essential services, while the private healthcare system in Canada is supplementary, offering services excluded from the public counterpart.
These typically include dental care, prescription drugs, and paramedical services such as physiotherapy or chiropractic care. Additionally, some diagnostic services and non-essential medical procedures are available at private clinics, often with shorter wait times than in the public system.
However, it is important to note that private healthcare can cost two to three times more than public healthcare. And here’s where private health insurance comes into play, giving expats peace of mind and financial security.
The Best Medical Insurance Plans for Canadian Expats
For Canadian expats who are going to live abroad, we have a few plan recommendations that can fulfill your needs and requirements, providing adequate medical coverage with an extensive selection of world-class doctors and hospitals anywhere in the world including your home country.
VUMI Global Flex VIP
VUMI’s Global Flex VIP plan has five different plan tiers, providing flexibility in the coverage. It also grants the insured an extensive medical network that allows direct billing, offering the convenience of cashless payment.
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Cigna Global
Another option could be Cigna Global. It provides coverage to over 200 countries and jurisdictions, and offers year-round customer support in more than 50 languages.
Expats can choose between the most basic Close Care plan for only emergency treatments and to most comprehensive Platinum plan with unlimited coverage.
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Bupa Global
The last recommendation is Bupa Global. Members are free to seek second medical opinions, and there are no referrals required to see specialists. Members can also enjoy a lifetime renewal option, eliminating the possibility of needing to find a new insurer due to non-renewals.
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The Best Medical Insurance Plans for Canadians in the US
For those who are considering moving to the US, securing international health insurance is highly recommended due to the high cost of getting medical services. Sustaining a long-term treatment out-of-pocket is merely possible and paying for a one-off treatment can also cost you the bank.
To prevent paying hefty hospital bills out-of-pocket in any event of medical issues that may arise, we recommend two health insurance plans that provide coverage in the US, so Canadian expats in the US can have peace of mind knowing that they don’t have to fork out for expensive bills themselves.
IMG Global
IMG Global offers a range of attractive benefits for expats, including worldwide and customizable coverage, emergency medical evacuation, quality member support, prescription drug coverage, etc. The plan is available in four levels of coverage, with a lifetime annual limit of up to USD $8,000,000.
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GeoBlue Xplorer
GeoBlue Xplorer plan provides access to a premium international network of hospitals and physicians. To acquire coverage in the US, expats have the options Xplorer Premier or Xplorer Essential with add-on coverage, and the Premier plan provides a more comprehensive US coverage.
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Be Prepared for a Less Advanced Healthcare System
Expats moving from Canada to other countries with limited public healthcare may find themselves having to pay for most public healthcare services. The shift from enjoying free medical services to having to pay for many essential services can be a significant adjustment for many Canadians.
For example, prenatal and childbirth services are covered by the public healthcare system in Canada, unlike other countries where these services come with significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Diagnostic tests and procedures alike, Canadian expats who are used to the free services available in the public sector should now be more careful in using healthcare services. Having health insurance can lead to more proactive health management by accessing these tests without direct cost.
By understanding these differences between Canada’s and other countries’ healthcare systems, expats are empowered to set realistic expectations of what medical services they are likely to receive abroad.
Considerations When Choosing International Private Health Insurance
When selecting an international private health insurance plan for life in Canada, expats should take several factors into account. It’s crucial to ensure that the plan covers all provinces and territories you might visit or reside in, as healthcare provision can vary across the country.
Look for plans that complement rather than duplicate the coverage provided by the public system, maximizing the value of your insurance.
Given that medications can be costly in Canada, it’s important to ensure your plan includes adequate prescription drug coverage. With growing awareness of mental health issues, consider plans that offer comprehensive mental health support.
Repatriation coverage is another important consideration. In case of serious illness, some Canadian expats may prefer treatment in their home country. If this is important to you, ensure your plan covers medical repatriation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my provincial health coverage continue while I’m living abroad?
Provincial coverage typically lapses after extended absence (usually 6-8 months). Check with your province for specific rules.
What types of insurance should Canadian expats consider when moving overseas?
Consider international health insurance for long visits overseas, and travel insurance for shorter visits. Look particularly for medical evacuation and repatriation to get coverage for sending back to Canada for treatments and services unavailable or less mature abroad.
How can I ensure I have access to quality healthcare while living in another country?
It is important to understand the local healthcare system, and always have private health insurance as a supplementary option to cover a wider selection of medical services.
Conclusion
While Canada’s public healthcare system provides a solid foundation of care for residents, it has limitations that can be particularly challenging for expats.
The private healthcare sector in Canada, coupled with international private health insurance, can offer expats a more comprehensive, flexible, and immediate healthcare solution.
By carefully considering their healthcare needs and choosing an appropriate international private health insurance plan, expats can ensure they have access to high-quality healthcare throughout their stay in Canada, complementing the benefits of the public system and addressing its limitations.
Contact Pacific Prime’s team of insurance experts to help you find a health insurance solution!
Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.
Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.
Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.
Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.
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