Health care in Canada: Learn about other types of health insurance

Other types of health insurance

Public health insurance in Canada does not cover every health service and product. In some cases, you may need or want to access health care using different programs or services.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to access

• Private health insurance for more coverage than the public system provides
• Health care services for refugees and protected persons

Private health insurance

Government (public) health insurance plans give you access to basic medical services. Private health insurance often pays for things that government plans don’t cover.

The most common types of private insurance plans are extended health plans. These cover costs for

• prescription medications
• dental care
• physiotherapy
• ambulance services
• prescription eyeglasses

If you work, you may get extra coverage from the company or organization you work for. Check with your employer for more information about their health insurance plans.

Health coverage for protected persons or refugee claimants

In some cases, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides temporary health insurance to

• refugees
• protected persons
• refugee claimants

This temporary health care covers you and your dependants until you’re eligible for health coverage through your province or territory, or from a private plan.