Canadian Life & Health Insurance Facts // 2026 Edition 14
Health insurance
provides coverage for hospital
and medical expenses not
covered by public health plans,
such as prescription medicines,
vision care, dental care and
mental health supports. This
type of insurance can also
provide income replacement
for those unable to work due
to disability.
Sold as
Ninety-two per cent of health
insurance is purchased through
a group plan.
2025 health premiums
Related products
Supplementary health
insurance; travel insurance;
critical illness insurance;
disability insurance; accidental
death and dismemberment
insurance; and healthcare
spending accounts.
Health Insurance
L I N E S O F B U S I N E S S
Workplace benefits helped
27 million Canadians access the
medications they need
For many Canadians, having benefits means being
able to fill a prescription when they need it and
stay on treatment over time. Through workplace
benefits, 27 million Canadians can access a wide
range of prescription drugs, including specialty
medications to treat serious, chronic, and complex
health conditions which allows them to receive
treatment earlier, and prevent conditions from
becoming worse, requiring more intensive care.
Drug claims grew by about 7 per cent in 2025.
Drugs to treat inflammatory conditions, diabetes,
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
as well as cancer, accounted for over a third of all
drug benefits paid*.
*Express Scripts. 2026 Drug trends report
$69.4B
Individual policies
Group plans
8%
92%
