Key Takeaways
- Desjardins is one of the leading health insurance providers in Canada, with strong roots in Quebec and plan availability across the country.
- Both Desjardins health insurance plans offer generous paramedical coverage, travel insurance, and add-ons for prescription drugs and dental care.
- While Desjardins has an established reputation in the industry, its customer experience leaves something to be desired and reviews note widespread claims handling issues.
Overview of Desjardins health insurance
Desjardins is one of Canada’s largest financial groups and has grown into a leader in the insurance space, with a wide range of health insurance products, as well as life and travel insurance products. Despite having strong roots in Quebec, Desjardins' health insurance policies are available across the country and offer customizable coverage options, competitive benefits, and a large network of healthcare providers.
We took a close look at leading health insurance providers in Canada to assess their plans and benefits. Here’s an overview of how Desjardins health insurance stacks up:
Category: All-in-one
Types of coverage: Critical illness, Disability, Health and dental, Travel health, Visitors and returning
Customer experience score: 2.98/5
Industry reputation score: 4.01/5
Awards:
- 2025 Canada's Top 100 Employers
- 2024 ICBA: Life & Health Insurer of the Year (nominee)
We analyzed health insurance plans from nearly 20 different providers across Canada, evaluating each based on product variety, affordability, customer experience, and industry reputation. This included a breakdown of monthly premiums for 35- and 60-year-old policyholders, average cost per $100 of coverage, and what each plan includes. To assess customer experience, we reviewed feedback from platforms like Google, BBB, Insureye, Trustpilot, and Reviews.io. Lastly, we rated each company’s industry reputation using financial stability scores, employee satisfaction (via Glassdoor), and rankings from the Leger Corporate Reputation Study.
Key features of Desjardins' health insurance plans
Desjardins’ personal health insurance plans cover everyday health expenses like dental work, prescription drugs, and professional healthcare services. Here are some of the health insurance benefits you can expect to see:
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Customizable coverage
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Desjardins offers two health plans, with add-ons available for prescription drugs and dental care.
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Coverage for professional services
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Even the basic plan covers reimbursements for visits to chiropractors, osteopaths, and other paramedical practitioners.
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Online account management
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Manage your claims and track reimbursements through the online portal or mobile app.
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Flexible coverage
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These policies are temporary, one-year policies that automatically renew each year until your 70th birthday, though you can terminate at any time.
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Multi-coverage discount
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You’ll receive a 5% discount on your premiums when you combine Desjardins health care coverage with another health or life insurance product (min. $400 annual premium required).
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Travel assistance services
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Plans include travel insurance, including 24/7 phone assistance, a second medical opinion, and travel support in case of medical or non-medical emergencies.
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Learn more: What does health insurance cover?
Pros and cons of Desjardins health insurance
As one of Canada’s largest insurance providers, Desjardins offers a wide range of coverage options—but its size can also lead to some drawbacks, particularly when it comes to customer service and claims handling.
- Flexible plan options—basic, enhanced, and add-on coverage
- Generous limits for paramedical coverage
- All plans include travel insurance
- Easy claims management through online portal and app
- Discount available for bundling with other products
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Basic plans include limited dental coverage, with no coverage for major dental work or orthodontics
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Waiting periods apply for some coverage
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No access to online quotes; must speak with an agent
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Numerous reviews note issues with claim submission and frequent denials
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Reviews note poor customer service
Types of Desjardins health insurance
Desjardins offers two health insurance plans: Health Plus Basic Plan and Health Plus Enhanced Plan. To be eligible for health insurance coverage, you must be between the ages of 18 and 64, meet medical underwriting criteria, and be insured by a provincial health plan. Any dependent children must be under the age of 21 when you apply.
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Paramedical services
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$400/year per practitioner
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$600/year per practitioner
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Physiotherapist
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$250/year
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$350/year
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Audiologist and speech therapist
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$400/year combined
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$500/year combined
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Counsellor
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$400/year
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$500/year
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Vision care
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$150 for eyewear + $50 exam every 24 months
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$250 for eyewear + $70 exam every 24 months
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Hospitalization
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Not included
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100% of semi-private room, unlimited days
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Travel insurance
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$5 million for first 30 days of trip
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$5 million for first 30 days of trip
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Hearing aids
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$300 per 36 months
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$500 per 36 months
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Accidental dental
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$1,000 per accident
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$2,000 per accident
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Medical equipment
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$2,000 per year
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$4,000 per year
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Orthopedic shoes and foot orthotics
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$200 per year
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$250 per year
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Transportation by ambulance
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$2,000 per year
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$4,000 per year
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Lifetime coverage maximum
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$250,000
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$350,000
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Add-on coverage is available for prescription drugs and dental care:
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Prescription-only drug expenses
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70% of first $7,142 up to $5,000 per year
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90% of first $11,111 up to $10,000 per year
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Preventative dental services (oral exam, X-rays, recall, cleaning)
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80% up to $750 combined per year
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100% up to $750 combined per year for first 2 years, $1,000 after that
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Basic dental care (fillings, extraction, etc.)
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50% up to $750 combined per year
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60% up to $750 combined per year for first 2 years, $1,000 after that
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Major dental care (root canals, prosthodontics, etc.)
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Not covered
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60% up to $500 per year after 24-month waiting period
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Orthodontic care
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Not covered
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60% up to $1,000 for the coverage period after 24-month waiting period
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How much does Desjardins health insurance cost?
Costs for a personal health insurance plan from Desjardins vary depending on factors like your age, the type of plan, optional benefits, and how many people you need to cover. Generally speaking:
- Family plans are more expensive than individual ones
- More comprehensive coverage (dental add-ons, etc.) will increase the cost
Unfortunately, Desjardins does not offer online quotes for health insurance, so we were unable to conduct research into average costs for these plans. If you want a quote, you’ll need to speak directly to a Desjardins agent.
Is Desjardins health insurance worth it?
Whether Desjardins health insurance is worth it depends on your priorities. It offers strong, customizable coverage and bundling options—but may fall short if you’re looking for top-tier customer service, online convenience, or long-term affordability.
Desjardins health insurance might be worth it if you:
- Want customizable coverage with fairly high limits
- Value an established insurer with a strong industry reputation
- Want to bundle coverage for better rates
On the other hand, Desjardins might not be worth it if you:
- Value excellent customer service and claims handling
- Want to easily browse quotes and purchase coverage online
- Want the most affordable premiums
- Need health insurance over the age of 70
- Need a lifetime renewable plan
FAQ: Desjardins health insurance
Yes, Desjardins offers two health insurance plans: basic and enhanced. Both plans provide good paramedical coverage, travel insurance, and optional add-ons to boost your prescription drug and dental coverage.
To cancel your Desjardins health insurance policy, call 1-866-647-5013.
Yes, you can have two health insurance plans. For example, you may have group coverage through your employer and a personal health insurance plan that you pay for separately.
