Personal Health and Dental Insurance in Ontario
No benefits through work? We connect Ontario residents with licensed advisors who compare personal health and dental plans and find coverage that fits your needs and budget.
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Quick answer
What does personal health and dental insurance cover in Ontario?
Personal health and dental insurance helps pay for costs OHIP does not cover, such as prescription drugs, dental checkups and fillings, eye exams and glasses, physiotherapy, massage therapy and counselling. It is designed for Ontario residents without a group plan through work. Plans vary widely, so a licensed advisor can compare coverage levels, limits and eligibility.
Personal Health and Dental Insurance
OHIP covers doctor visits and hospital care, but many everyday health costs are left to you: prescription drugs, dental cleanings and fillings, eye exams and glasses, physiotherapy, massage therapy and counselling.
A personal health and dental plan helps pay for those costs when you do not have a group plan through work. Plans differ widely in what they cover and who they accept, so comparing them is worth the time.
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Life and health insurance advisors in Ontario are licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).
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What can a personal health and dental plan cover?
Most plans let you choose a level of coverage and add options.
Prescription drugs
Coverage for a percentage of eligible prescriptions, up to an annual maximum. Some plans limit drug coverage in the first year.
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Dental care
Checkups, cleanings and fillings, with major work often available after a waiting period.
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Paramedical and vision
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, psychology, eye exams and glasses or contacts.
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Travel medical and hospital
Emergency travel medical coverage outside Ontario and semi-private hospital room upgrades.
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How do you choose the right personal health plan?
Guaranteed acceptance or medically underwritten
Guaranteed acceptance plans ask no medical questions but have lower limits. Underwritten plans offer richer coverage if you qualify.
If you are leaving a group plan
Plans designed for people whose group coverage has ended can accept you without medical questions if you apply within their window. See lost your group benefits.
Public programs to check first
OHIP+ covers eligible prescriptions for people 24 and under without a private plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit helps people 65 and older, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan may help if you have no dental insurance and household income under $90,000.
Personal Health and Dental FAQs
Is personal health insurance worth it?
It depends on how much you spend on prescriptions, dental and therapy each year, and how much protection you want against large drug costs. An advisor can compare the premium with your expected costs.
Are there waiting periods?
Many plans have waiting periods for major dental work and limits in the first year. Read the plan details carefully.
Can I cover my family?
Yes. Most plans offer single, couple and family coverage.
Are premiums tax deductible?
Premiums you pay personally for a private health plan can generally be claimed as a medical expense on your tax return. Self-employed people may be able to deduct them as a business expense within CRA limits.
Does OHIP cover dental care?
Routine dental care such as checkups, cleanings and fillings is generally not covered by OHIP, which is why many people without a group plan buy personal dental coverage. Public programs such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan may help some residents with no dental insurance. An advisor can help you check what you qualify for.
What does personal health insurance usually not cover?
Plans commonly limit or exclude pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, and costs above annual maximums, and many have waiting periods before major dental work is covered. Services already paid by OHIP are not covered again. The details depend on the plan wording, so read the limits carefully before choosing.
How is a personal plan different from a group benefits plan?
A group plan is arranged and often partly paid by an employer, and members typically join without individual medical questions. A personal plan is chosen and paid for by you, stays with you if you change jobs, and may be medically underwritten. Coverage limits often differ, so compare them side by side.
What affects the cost of personal health and dental insurance?
Premiums typically depend on your age, where you live, who is covered, the level of coverage and optional add-ons such as dental or travel, and whether the plan is medically underwritten. Richer drug and dental limits usually cost more. A licensed advisor can weigh the premium against your expected yearly costs.
How soon does personal health coverage start?
Many plans can start soon after your application is approved, but medically underwritten plans may take longer to review. Some benefits, especially major dental work, have waiting periods even after coverage begins. If you are leaving a group plan, applying within the insurer's window can make acceptance simpler.
What happens when you work with a benefits advisor?
A licensed advisor handles the details so you can make a clear decision.
1Discovery call
Share who needs coverage, what matters most and your budget. For businesses, bring your current plan and renewal if you have one.
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2Plan design
Your advisor recommends coverage levels and cost sharing that fit your needs, and explains the trade offs in plain language.
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3Compare insurers
Your advisor gathers quotes from multiple insurers and compares price, coverage and service side by side.
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4Enrol and support
Once you choose, your advisor handles the application and enrolment, and stays available for claims questions and renewals.
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