Health insurance in Manitoba 101
Manitoba’s public health programs cover many services — but not everything. Private health plans (starting around $100/month with PolicyMe, for example) are a good way for Manitobans to supplement the provincial program to expand coverage and save money on out-of-pocket costs for vision, dental, prescription drug, and paramedical care.
What’s covered by the government: The Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care (MHSAL) plan covers all medically necessary doctor and hospital services for residents.
It also includes some dental and vision care for children, and certain prescription drugs and supplies for seniors through the Manitoba Pharmacare program. People with disabilities may qualify for coverage on medical equipment and supplies through provincial assistance programs.
What’s not: But if you don’t have extra medical coverage through social assistance or an employer’s benefits plan, you’ll likely need private health insurance to help pay for prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, and paramedical services (like physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage therapy).
How private health insurance fills Manitoba’s coverage gaps
While public health insurance covers essentials for eligible residents, most Manitobans probably still face gaps or caps for vision, dental, drug, and paramedical care. Private health plans are a smart supplement, with custom coverage to specifically cover the gaps in Manitoba’s provincial plans.
Benefits cost less than you think.
What’s the best health insurance in Manitoba?
Residents of Manitoba have access to a wide range of healthcare options, from the province’s public health care plan to group and private medical insurance. Because the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) primarily covers medically-necessary physician and hospital care for you and your family members, most households in Manitoba have outstanding medical expenses that are best covered by personal health insurance.
To find the best private health insurance options in Manitoba, we took a close look at plans from dozens of leading insurers in Canada. When evaluating insurance plans, we prioritized three key metrics:
- Customer service: We took Google reviews, Better Business Bureau Scores, and ratings from Trustpilot and Insureye into account when evaluating how well each company handles customer questions.
- Value for money: We weighed the value of each plan’s coverage against the combined cost of premiums, copays, and deductibles to find options with the best value for Manitobans.
- Financial stability: The best health insurers are those that can pay reliably, so we checked A.M. Best ratings as well as scores from Morningstar BRS and S&P Global.
Based on these areas of focus, we identified three health care plans that offer a good mix of insured benefits and reasonable costs for residents of Manitoba, from Winnipeg to Thompson (and beyond!):
Overall rating |
★★★★★ (5.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Plan type |
Classic |
Choice |
Combined Health & Dental |
Basic |
Extended |
Monthly premiums* |
$123/month |
$117/month |
$89/month |
$104/month |
$115/month |
Coverage vs. industry average** |
35% above industry average |
21% above industry average |
46% below industry average |
44% below industry average |
35% below industry average |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Alberta as of December 2025.
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PolicyMe’s rankings are based on an independent, data-driven review of Canada's leading health and dental insurance products and providers. Our analysis draws on 1,700+ quotes covering 50+ health and dental insurance products from the seven biggest providers in Canada, sourced from official product websites and supplemented with customer ratings from Google.
Rankings are determined first by star rating (highest to lowest) and then by premiums (lowest to highest). To ensure fairness and accuracy, we only make cost and coverage comparisons between plans with the same type of coverage, pricing tier, and eligibility requirements. The premiums shown in this article are based on publicly available rates as of December 2025. Our pricing comparisons always compare quotes for the same age groups within the same region.
Our findings are entirely data-driven and do not include paid placements, but should not be considered a substitute for personalized financial or health advice.
About coverage and total coverage comparisons
Our analysis examines the coverage provided by each plan across eight benefit categories during the first year of enrollment: prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, paramedical services, mental health services, accidental dental services, ground ambulance transportation, and air ambulance transportation. To get an accurate picture of each plan’s value, we calculated the net amount of coverage provided by subtracting out-of-pocket costs (including deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments) from stated coverage limits.
Because dental definitions and coverage limits vary by provider, readers should always consult their policy documents to confirm the specific dental services covered.
Disclaimer
PolicyMe’s findings are based on unaltered data and are free from paid placements or sponsored influence. While we strive to keep our information current, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of third-party data. These rankings are intended as a general reference and should not be considered a substitute for personalized financial or health advice.
1. Guaranteed Issue Classic from PolicyMe
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Rating
|
★★★★★ (5.0)
|
|
Premiums*
|
$123/month
|
|
Drug coverage
|
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $600 per year)
|
|
Pre-existing prescription coverage
|
Yes
|
|
Dental coverage
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Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $750 per year)
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|
Vision coverage
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100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $60 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery)
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|
Paramedical coverage
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80% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $750 per year combined)
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|
Mental health coverage
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100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $100 per visit and $800 combined per year)
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Accidental dental coverage
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100% of accidental dental services (up to $10,000 per year)
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|
Ambulance coverage
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100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
|
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Manitoba.
Our expert take: PolicyMe’s Classic plan combines affordability with robust coverage. Key advantages of this plan include a high reimbursement rate for paramedical services and mental health care, along with excellent insured benefits for ambulance services and most dental care.
- Includes access to online health forumss
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Includes coverage for breathing equipment/oxygen, diabetic supplies, durable medical equipment, hearing aids, in-home nursing, mobility aids, orthotics/orthopedic shoes and prostheses
- No medical questionnaire required
Available products from PolicyMe:
- Guaranteed Economic, Classic, and Advanced: A series of guaranteed health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and more
- Dental Care: A guaranteed health insurance plan with no coverage for prescription drugs
- Protect Economic, Classic, and Advanced: A series of replacement health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and more
See how affordable term life insurance can be with PolicyMe.*
2. ZONE 5 (Choice) from GreenShield
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Rating
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★★★★☆ (4.0)
|
|
Premiums*
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$117/month
|
|
Drug coverage
|
90% of generic and birth control prescription drugs (up to $5,000 per year)
|
|
Pre-existing prescription coverage
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No
|
|
Dental coverage
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Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $700 per year)
|
|
Vision coverage
|
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $100 for eye exams and $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery)
|
|
Paramedical coverage
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100% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $45 per visit and $500 per profession)
|
|
Mental health coverage
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100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $500 combined per year)
|
|
Accidental dental coverage
|
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10,000 per year)
|
|
Ambulance coverage
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100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
|
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Manitoba.
Our expert take: GreenShield’s ZONE 5 (Choice) plan may be a good option for seniors, frequent travelers, or anyone in search of an affordable plan to supplement Manitoba Health Services Insurance. Prescription drugs, dental care, and mental health services are weak spots for this plan, but emergency dental and travel coverage are competitive.
- Below-average premiums for older adults and seniors
-
Includes access to GreenShield Pharmacy, 4 hours of virtual counselling through GreenShield Mental Health, and 4 virtual visits per year through GreenShield Telemedicine
- Includes travel insurance and semi-private or private hospital accommodations
-
Below-average prescription drug, dental, and mental health coverage
Available products from GreenShield:
- LINK 1, 2, 3, and 4: A series of replacement health insurance plans with complete and no-dental options.
- ZONE 1, 2, and 3 and Zone Fundamental: A series of guaranteed health insurance plans with complete and no-drug options.
- ZONE 4, 5, 6, and 7: A series of underwritten health insurance plans with complete and no-dental options.
3. Health Insurance Plan with Dental Insurance from ScotiaLife
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Rating
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★★★★☆ (4.0)
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|
Premiums*
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$89/month
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Drug coverage
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75% of generic, brand-name, birth control, and smoking cessation prescription drugs (up to $10,000 per year)
|
|
Pre-existing prescription coverage
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Yes
|
|
Dental coverage
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Up to 75% of preventative dental services (up to $500 per year)
|
|
Vision coverage
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100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams)
|
|
Paramedical coverage
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75% of visits to 10 paramedical professionals (up to $25 per visit and 12 visits per profession each year)
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|
Mental health coverage
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75% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $25 per visit, 12 visits per year, and $800 combined per year, including visits to paramedical professionals)
|
|
Accidental dental coverage
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75% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per year)
|
|
Ambulance coverage
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75% of ground ambulance transportation (unlimited) and 100% of air ambulance transportation (up to $10,000 per year)
|
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Manitoba.
Our expert take: The biggest drawback of ScotiaLife’s health insurance plan is that it’s only available to Scotiabank customers. If you’re in that group, however, it’s an excellent option for those in search of low-priced, straightforward health coverage to supplement existing benefits.
- 1 optional add-on available (dental coverage)
-
30-day money-back guarantee
- Includes semi-private hospital accommodations
-
Only available to customers 64 and under
-
3-month dental waiting period
-
1-year waiting period for vision care
Available products from ScotiaLife:
- Health Insurance Plan: A guaranteed no-dental health insurance plan with a single dental option available only to Scotiabank customers, their spouses, and dependent children
4. ComboPlus Basic Plan from Manulife
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Rating
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★★★★☆ (4.0)
|
|
Premiums*
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$104/month
|
|
Drug coverage
|
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $5,000 per year)
|
|
Pre-existing prescription coverage
|
Yes
|
|
Dental coverage
|
Up to 80% of preventative and restorative dental services (up to $750 per year)
|
|
Vision coverage
|
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $70 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery)
|
|
Paramedical coverage
|
60% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $500 per profession and $4,000 per year combined)
|
|
Mental health coverage
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100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $65 per visit and 15 visits combined per year)
|
|
Accidental dental coverage
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100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per year)
|
|
Ambulance coverage
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100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
|
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Manitoba.
Our expert take: Manulife offers a wide range of private health and dental insurance plans. We think the ComboPlus Basic plan offers the best value for money for families in Manitoba, with particularly strong dental and mental health coverage and a surprisingly long list of customization options to tailor your coverage to your personal needs.
- 7 optional add-ons available
-
Includes access to TELUS Health Virtual Care and survivor benefit
- Includes accidental death and dismemberment insurance and travel insurance
-
Small net gain on dental coverage
Available products from Manulife:
- Flexcare ComboPlus Starter, Basic, and Enhanced Plan: A series of complete health insurance plans with guaranteed options.
- Flexcare DentalPlus Basic and Enhanced Plan: A pair of guaranteed, no-drug health insurance plans.
- Flexcare DrugPlus Basic and Enhanced Plan: A pair of no-dental health insurance plans.
- FollowMe Basic, Enhanced, Enhanced Plus, and Premiere Plan: A series of complete replacement health insurance plans.
- Guaranteed Issue Enhanced: A complete, premium health insurance plan with guaranteed acceptance.
5. ExtendaPlan with Basic Prescription Drugs and Dental Care from GMS
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Rating
|
★★★★☆ (4.0)
|
|
Premiums*
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$115/month
|
|
Drug coverage
|
100% of generic and birth control prescription drugs (up to $3,500 per year) with a maximum co-payment of $6 per prescription
|
|
Pre-existing prescription coverage
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No
|
|
Dental coverage
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Up to 75% of preventative and major dental services (up to $500 per year)
|
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Vision coverage
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80% of vision services every 2 years (up to $250 combined for eye exams and prescription lenses and frames)
|
|
Paramedical coverage
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80% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $350 per year combined)
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Mental health coverage
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100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $65 per visit and 10 visits combined per year)
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Accidental dental coverage
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100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per injury)
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Ambulance coverage
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100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
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* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Manitoba.
Our expert take: The ExtendaPlan from GMS is a good budget pick that’s better for prescription drug coverage than for dental services. If you don’t visit paramedical professionals often and just want a few counseling sessions a year when it comes to mental health coverage, the ExtendaPlan could be a good fit.
- Above-average prescription drug coverage
-
Below-average premiums for all ages
- 5 optional add-ons available
- Direct billing and online claims
- Includes access to the GMS Care Network
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$6 deductible per prescription
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3-month waiting period may apply for dental care
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Below-average dental, vision, paramedical, and mental health coverage
Available products from GMS:
- BasicPlan, ExtendaPlan, and OmniPlan: A series of guaranteed, no-drug health insurance plans with complete coverage options.
- EssentialPlan, ChoicePlan, and PremierPlan: A series of replacement health insurance plans with no-drug and complete coverage options.
Join 18,000+ Canadians with quality coverage from coast to coast
Compare the top 3 health insurance plans in Manitoba
Rating |
★★★★★ (5.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Medical questions required |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Premiums* |
$123/month |
$117/month |
$89/month |
Drug coverage |
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $600 per year) |
90% of generic and birth control prescription drugs (up to $5,000 per year) |
75% of generic, brand-name, birth control, and smoking cessation prescription drugs (up to $10,000 per year) |
Pre-existing prescriptions coverage |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Dental coverage |
Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $750 per year) |
Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $700 per year) |
Up to 75% of preventative dental services (up to $500 per year) |
Vision coverage |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $60 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $100 for eye exams and $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams) |
Paramedical coverage |
80% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $750 per year combined) |
100% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $45 per visit and $500 per profession) |
75% of visits 10 paramedical professionals (up to $25 per visit, 12 visits per profession, and $800 combined per year, including visits to mental health professionals) |
Mental health coverage |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $100 per visit and $800 combined per year) |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $500 combined per year) |
75% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $25 per visit, 12 visits per year, and $800 combined per year, including visits to paramedical professionals) |
Accidental dental coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10,000 per year) |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10,000 per year) |
75% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per year) |
Ambulance coverage |
100% of ground and air ambulance services (unlimited) |
100% of ground and air ambulance services (unlimited) |
75% of ground ambulance transportation (unlimited) and 100% of air ambulance services (up to $10,000 per year) |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Manitoba.
How much does health insurance in Manitoba cost?
Data from Statistics Canada show that households in Manitoba spent an average of $623 on private health and dental insurance premiums in 2023. That’s about $52 per month
The same data shows that in the same year, Manitobans spent an average of $2,482 on out-of-pocket medical expenses in 2023 — nearly four times what they spent on health insurance. That’s a little over 6% more than the nationwide average of $2,332.
With healthcare expenditures outweighing the cost of coverage so heavily, how much could you save by buying private health insurance in Manitoba? Based on PolicyMe’s internal analysis of average out-of-pocket costs and coverage levels, the Guaranteed Issue Classic plan could help a typical household in Manitoba save around $1,550 per year in medical expenses not covered by provincial health insurance.
As for what you’ll pay, here’s a comparison of monthly health insurance quotes for the top 3 health insurance policies in Manitoba:
Kids (0-4) |
$43.26 |
$46.73 |
$61.76 |
Kids and youth (5-20) |
$61.78 |
$69.16 |
$96.96 |
Adults (21-44) |
$105.37 |
$123.33 |
$160.00 |
Adults (45-54) |
$121.99 |
$148.62 |
$195.58 |
Adults (55-59) |
$142.30 |
$163.05 |
$211.58 |
Adults (60-64) |
$144.49 |
$163.15 |
$209.62 |
Seniors (65+) |
$144.49+ |
$163.15+ |
$209.62+ |
* Prices reflect the approximate costs for residents in the relevant age group in Manitoba. These quotes were collected December 20th, 2025. Your own quotes may differ.
What does the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan cover?
Manitoba’s Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) covers medically necessary care for all residents of Manitoba and their dependents. You’re eligible for insured care if you’ve been physically present in Manitoba for 183 days in a calendar year.
If you have a valid Manitoba Health Card, you’re covered for:
- Physician services that are considered medically necessary for you or your dependents
- Surgery and anesthesia that are considered medically necessary for you or your dependents
- Standard hospital services including necessary nursing services, standard accommodations and meals, and medications administered in a hospital
- Laboratory, x-ray, and diagnostic tests when performed in a hospital setting
- Chiropractic services, for up to seven visits per year
- Limited vision care for Manitobans under age 19 or aged 65 and older
Your MHSIP coverage applies if you have a hospital stay or require emergency medical treatment in most other provinces (except for Quebec). If you’re outside of the country, you will have partial coverage for doctor’s visits and hospital bills, but you may have financial responsibilities on top of what Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care will pay.
The table below breaks down key areas of coverage under the MHSIP, as well as who is eligible for coverage.
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Prescription Drugs
|
|
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Dental
|
Certain dental procedures are covered if hospitalization is required.
|
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Vision
|
One routine eye exam per two years for residents under age 19 or over age 64 or those with eligible eye conditions. All residents are eligible for coverage for certain tests including Full Threshold Visual Fields Test, Tonometry Test, and Dilated Fundus Examination.
|
|
Paramedic
|
Seven visits to a chiropractor are covered annually for all residents, but other paramedical services are not covered.
|
|
Mental health
|
No coverage unless services are provided in a hospital.
|
|
Extended health
|
* EVERYONE requiring artificial eyes or cosmetic shells: one device/2 years ( Prosthetic Eye)
* EVERYONE requiring prosthetic or orthotic services: 100% of prosthetic limbs and limb and spinal orthotic devices and services (up to 1 device/2 years) ( Prosthetic and Orthotic Program)
* CHILDREN (0-17) who require a hearing aid: 80% of hearing aids/4 years per ear (up to $500/ear for analog devices and $1,800/ear for digital or analog programmable) and 80% of additional services/4 years per ear, all with a $75 deductible/claim ( Children's Hearing Aid Program)
* CHILDREN (0-17) who require orthopaedic shoes: 50% of stock shoes (up to $27.80/year, 2 pairs/year), 50% of shoes for different-sized feet (up to $41.80/year, 2 pairs/year), 50% of custom-made shoes (up to $139/year, 2 pairs/year) ( Orthopaedic Shoes Program)
* ADULTS (18-64) having undergone a single or bilateral mastectomy: $400 per prosthesis for a single/bilateral mastectomy, plus $50 for a bra every 2 years; OR $800 per prosthesis for a single/bilateral mastectomy, plus $100 for a bra every 4 years ( Manitoba Breast Prosthesis Program)
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The province also offers the following extended health benefits for Manitobans with low income:
- For residents whose income is seriously impacted by high prescription costs, the Manitoba Pharmacare Program will cover 100% of prescription drugs on the Drug Formulary after an income-based yearly deductible (min. $100, ranges from 3.37-7.59% of total income from 2 years ago).
- For children in families receiving the Manitoba Child Benefit, the Children's Opti-Care Program will cover one pair of eyeglasses every three years.
How to find the best health insurance for you
Everyone’s health insurance needs are different — but it’s not hard to find the plan that best fits your unique needs. Find a free hour and do the following:
- Review your current coverage: Are you maximizing the coverage offered by Manitoba's provincial health plan? If you have access to healthcare benefits through your employer, read the details of your coverage carefully to make sure that you’re taking advantage of what’s on offer.
- Calculate your current spending: Think about what you spend out-of-pocket on medical care in one year. How much are you paying on a regular basis for dental care, prescriptions, medical equipment, glasses or contact lenses, and other things not covered by MHSIP?
- Identify and measure your coverage gap: Here’s the critical step: Compare what’s covered by your current insurance with what you’re spending out of pocket. Take note of both the total healthcare costs that your current coverage won’t touch and the types of medical care you need covered.
- Research health insurance companies: Now it’s time to look for a plan. You can use PolicyMe’s recommendations for Manitoba as a starting point or talk to friends and family members about their coverage. Keep your price point and coverage priorities in mind as you compare plan details. Take time to review the coverage and exclusions of each plan to make sure it’s a good fit.
- Request health insurance quotes: Once you’ve found a few plans that seem like a good fit, request health insurance quotes for those plans. Look for quotes that are lower than the monthly cost of the coverage gap you’ve calculated.
While saving on healthcare expenses is the point of buying private health insurance, don’t just focus on the math — take time to read customer reviews, financial stability ratings, and other key metrics that indicate how well a health insurance company meets its customers’ needs.
Finally, now is a good time to consider where you might also want to buy another type of insurance (like critical illness or life insurance). Most providers offer discounts on bundled policies — and they have toll-free helplines.
FAQ: Best health insurance in Manitoba
Manitoba residents paid an average of $623, or $52 per month, for private health insurance in 2023. But this average figure likely includes a large number of Canadians who don’t pay for coverage at all. Real costs for most personal health insurance plans are higher, with variations based on coverage level. For example, Manitobans aged 21 to 44 on PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan pay $23.33 per month, while individuals in the same age group pay $105.37 for the Guaranteed Issue Economic plan.
PolicyMe’s put in a lot of research to review the best options for personal health insurance in Canada, including our own guaranteed issue policies. In addition to PolicyMe, some of the best health insurers in Canada include GreenShield, Sun Life, Manulife, and Canada Life. If you’re looking for additional coverage, many of these companies also show up on our list of the best life insurance companies in Canada.
Eligibility for Manitoba health care is determined by citizenship status and residency. In order to qualify for covered medical services, you must be a Canadian citizen, Indigenous person, or permanent resident, or hold a valid qualifying work permit. On top of this, you must also reside in Manitoba and be physically present there for at least 183 days out of a calendar year.
All Canadians have the option to buy a private health insurance policy to supplement the coverage offered through their provincial health insurance plan and/or the group benefits provided by their employer. Personal health insurance won’t replace the essential coverage included in your public health insurance, but it can offer peace of mind and reduced medical expenses, especially for self-employed or retired Canadians and families with a lot of routine healthcare costs.
Manitoba private health insurance offers supplementary coverage that can fill gaps left by the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan and/or your employer’s group benefits. If you don’t have access to a group healthcare plan (e.g. if you’re retired or self-employed), private health insurance may be the best way to offset out-of-pocket medical costs not covered by public health insurance.
