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Canadian Life & Health Insurance Facts // 2026 Edition
Most Canadians don't think about their health benefits as
part of the healthcare system. Health insurance provides
access to prescription drugs, mental health support,
dental, vision, and paramedical care. On their own, these
may seem like small moments of care but when added
together over millions of Canadians, they're part of
something bigger, more people accessing care earlier,
more support outside already strained settings, and less
pressure on Canada's healthcare system.
Prescription drug costs continued to account for the
largest share of health benefits at $18.1 billion. Claims
for paramedical services, including physiotherapy and
mental health, increased by 9 per cent as demand grew
for services that support ongoing physical health and well-
being. Eleven million Canadians had disability coverage,
receiving $10.5 billion in benefits to help replace wages
when they were unable to work.
Protecting access to these benefits is equally important.
Through education, detection, and industry-wide
collaboration, insurers are working to prevent increasingly
sophisticated benefits fraud and help keep health
insurance plans accessible and affordable.
This year's Canadian Life & Health Insurance Facts shows
Canada's life and health insurers continue to be there for
Canadians. Together, with the investments that help drive
economic growth, along with the millions of individual
moments of care our industry provides, they add up to
something bigger: a stronger, more resilient Canada.
Stephen Frank
President and CEO
