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Health insurance
Government programs cover basic physician and hospital expenses for all Canadians and provide
financial assistance to Canadians who are unable to work because of disability or illness. The majority
of Canadians are also protected through extended health care (Ext. health), disability and other
insurance provided by insurers.
Ext. health Disability Other
25M
Canadians covered
$27.5B
in premiums
12M
Canadians covered
$9.1B
in premiums
20M
Canadians covered
$4.3B
in premiums
Reimburses a variety of
expenses, such as prescription
drugs, dental, hospital and
medical expenses, not covered
by provincial government plans.
Helps replace lost income due
to disability (often integrated
with Canada/Quebec Pension
Plans, Workers' Compensation
and Employment Insurance),
usually paying around two-thirds
of earnings.
Includes coverage for
accidental death and
dismemberment, long-term
care and critical illness.
Protection by coverage type
2016 health
premiums
$40.9B
Individual 10%
Group 90%
How health insurance is purchased
Most health insurance is purchased through group plans provided by employers, unions or professional
associations. Canadians may also supplement government and group protection with individual plans.
of working Canadians and their families are
protected by private health insurance plans,
up from 67% a decade ago
80%
