$
1 6
Health insurance
In 2018, specialty drugs, such as drugs for
rare diseases, accounted for 2 per cent of the
total number of prescription drug claims, but
made up 33 per cent of the costs - this cost is
anticipated to reach 40 per cent by 2023.**
Extended health breakdown
Specialty drugs
$
11.7B
Drugs
$
8.5B
Dental
$
3.9B
Paramedical*
& vision
$
1.9B
Hospital
$
0.9B
Travel
24
%
2013
33
%
2018
40
%
2023
In 2018, insurers covered $26.9 billion
in extended health care costs, including
the costs of prescription drugs, dental
procedures and added hospital costs.
Canada's life and health insurers also
covered costs of disability claims and other
insurable services. These benefits cover
expenses beyond those covered by public
health plans.
Extended health
26M
Canadians
covered
$
26.9B
in benefits
Disability
12M
Canadians
covered
$
7.8B
in benefits
Accident & other
20M
Canadians
covered
$
1.4B
in benefits
Insurers protect nearly 70 per cent of Canadians
against the costs of extended health care
Benefits by coverage type
$
36.1B
2018 health
benefits
