Health Insurance in Saskatchewan: Costs, Coverage & Best Plans (2026)

How health insurance works in Saskatchewan

Health insurance in Saskatchewan includes free provincial coverage through Saskatchewan Health, plus optional private insurance plans that offer extended drug, dental, vision, and paramedical care with higher limits.

What Saskatchewan Health covers

Saskatchewan’s provincial healthcare plan covers medically necessary physician, hospital services and some supplementary care for residents:

• Medically necessary care
• Hospital stays
• Physiotherapy (when provided through a hospital)
• Occupational therapy (when provided through a hospital)
• STI treatment
• HIV testing
• Treatment for substance abuse and problem gambling

Saskatchewan residents who receive income support (and their dependents) may also be eligible for coverage of certain routine dental, vision, and prescription drug services. 

What Saskatchewan Health doesn’t cover

Unless you qualify for special benefits based on income or disability, you likely do not have provincial coverage for:

• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Most paramedical wellness services
• Extended healthcare through Saskatchewan Health.

The right private health insurance plan can help fill these coverage gaps.
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How private health insurance fills Saskatchewan’s coverage gaps

A custom, private healthcare plan can cover exactly the things that Saskatchewan’s public coverage leaves out: vision, dental, prescription drugs, and paramedical. You don’t pay extra for services you don’t need, and you save money on out-of-pocket costs.

Best private health insurance in Saskatchewan (2026)

We’ve identified the best private health insurance plans in Saskatchewan by analyzing over 1,700 quotes covering 50+ private health insurance products from the seven biggest providers in Canada, sourced from official product websites and supplemented with customer ratings from Google.

To identify the best plans for the average household in Saskatchewan, we focused on plans with: 

• Excellent coverage for adults: Adults aged 18–64 are most overlooked by government health care coverage, making them prime candidates for private health insurance. 
• Complete coverage: We prioritized insurance options that include coverage for both prescription drugs and dental services in addition to other extended health benefits. 
• Mid-tier pricing: We focused on plans with mid-range pricing that’s competitive in the industry in order to deliver the highest value for the largest number of Canadians. 
• Non-replacement plans: We’ve recommended plans designed for Canadians without existing workplace health benefits, rather than those seeking to replace previous employer-sponsored plans.

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan. 
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.}

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1. Guaranteed Issue Classic from PolicyMe

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan.} 

Our expert take: PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan is a good fit for residents of Saskatchewan with low prescription needs who want affordable coverage for dental and paramedical services, such as chiropractor visits or physiotherapy. The plan offers flexible and generous paramedical coverage—a rarity at this price point—and competitive premiums and annual maximums for dental care after the first year. 

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

2. ZONE 5 (Choice) from GreenShield

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan.}

Our expert take: For seniors in Saskatchewan, GreenShield’s ZONE 5 (Choice) plan takes a competitive edge with excellent premiums and good coverage for paramedical services, accidental dental insurance, and travel medical insurance. The major weak point in this plan is prescription drug coverage, which excludes pre-existing prescriptions. 

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. ExtendaPlan with Basic Prescription Drugs and Dental Care from GMS

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan.}

Our expert take: Out of GMS’s three highly customizable health and dental insurance plans, the ExtendaPlan with drugs and dental is the best fit for shoppers in Saskatchewan. It’s a decent budget pick ideal for those who don’t visit paramedical or mental health professionals often but who need reliable coverage for prescription drugs at an affordable price. 

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.

4. Health Insurance Plan with Dental Insurance Plan from ScotiaLife

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan.} 

Our expert take: If you’re already a Scotiabank customer, you may want to consider the benefits of this plan, a straightforward health and dental option sold through ScotiaLife. The plan offers low premiums with coverage to match. While the dental add-on makes this policy fairly comprehensive, your coverage will be limited by low per-visit limits for paramedical care, incomplete reimbursement for ambulances, and long waiting periods for both dental and 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

5. ComboPlus Basic Plan from Manulife

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan.}

Our expert take: Families with low dental and prescription drug needs may find a good fit in Manulife’s ComboPlus Basic Plan, which features competitive premiums for kids in Saskatchewan along with excellent mental health coverage and virtual care benefits. Just keep in mind that if you want to claim up to the maximum of dental coverage, you’ll end up paying nearly twice the out-of-pocket costs compared to the industry average. 

Available products from Manulife:
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• 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.

Compare the top 3 private health insurance plans in Saskatchewan

^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Saskatchewan.} 

How much does health insurance in Saskatchewan cost?

The cost of health insurance in Saskatchewan depends on your age, the plan you select, and whether or not you’re also insuring a partner or children. 

On average, households in Saskatchewan spent $715 on health and dental premiums in 2023—and $2,407 in out-of-pocket medical expenses, for a total of $3,264 in healthcare spending. By purchasing a personal health insurance plan, Saskatchewan families could reduce out-of-pocket spending by $1,000 or more. For instance, PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan—our top pick in Saskatchewan—could save households an average of $1,527.50 per year. 

Here’s a comparison of monthly health insurance quotes for three PolicyMe health insurance policies in Saskatchewan:

^{* Prices reflect the approximate costs for residents in the relevant age group in Saskatchewan. They are current as of March 2026.}

Who needs private health insurance in Saskatchewan?

Individuals and families in Saskatchewan who have medical needs that exceed the provincial coverage limits may need private health insurance to access care and cover costs.

Here are the supplemental medical support that may only be covered by private health insurance:

• Outpatient prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Physiotherapy, massage therapy, psychology, other paramedical care
• Other therapies not covered by Saskatchewan Health

Some types of people are more likely to need private health insurance in Saskatchewan.

• Self-employed people: If you don’t have employer benefits, you can get a private plan to cover basic prescriptions, dental cleanings, and extended health benefits. Consider the services you most need coverage for when looking at your plan options.
• Small business employees or owners: Whether you’re a part-time employee, gig worker, seasonal, or agricultural worker, you may not have access to drug and dental coverage through your job. Private insurance can fill the gaps all year round.
• People with high medical needs: If you have a chronic condition or need specialty medication regularly, then you may need a private plan to stabilize costs. Middle-income earners don’t usually qualify for substantial subsidies.
• Families with children: Growing children tend to need frequent vision exams, prescriptions, and possibly orthodontics and therapy services. While some services are partially covered by the province, certain care requires private coverage (or paying out of pocket).
• Young adults aging out of family plans: Parental coverage typically ends when kids reach the age of 21–25. Securing a private plan can help prevent gaps in prescription drug coverage, dental care, and mental health services.
• Pre-retirees without group benefits: Before the age of 65, older people may not qualify for Saskatchewan’s senior drug programs. If you’re retiring early or simply lost your workplace benefits, a private plan can bridge that gap until the provincial support kicks in.

If you have strong employer coverage, you qualify for provincial support, or you can self-fund and have minimal healthcare needs, you may not need private health insurance.

Saskatchewan health insurance for seniors

Healthcare needs tend to increase as we age, and seniors may benefit from a supplementary health insurance plan to more easily (and affordably) access important health services that the province doesn’t cover.
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Saskatchewan health insurance for self-employed people

If you’re self-employed in Saskatchewan, you can get an individual or family extended health plan for around $80 to $180 per month. There are drug-only, dental-only, and disability insurance plans that can help protect your income. If you run your own business, these premiums may be tax-deductible.
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What does Saskatchewan Health cover?

Saskatchewan Health fully covers the following community and medical services for all residents who hold a valid Saskatchewan Health card.  

In addition to fully covered medical and community services, Saskatchewan Health offers partial coverage to residents for services including ambulance transport, home care, long-term care, dental care, vision services, prescription drugs, and more. Residents can also access Saskatchewan Health coverage for medical care received in other provinces, but medical care received outside of Canada is reimbursed at the rate of those services provided in Saskatchewan, which typically means individuals will incur some out-of-pocket costs. 

For more information about the medical services that are only partially covered by Saskatchewan Health, consult the table below. 

The province also offers the following health benefits for Saskatchewan residents in low-income households:
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How to choose the right health insurance plan in Saskatchewan

The most important part of choosing a private health plan in Saskatchewan is understanding how it fits with the public coverage system. The province covers medically necessary services through Saskatchewan Health, but many everyday care costs (routine dental, prescriptions, therapy) are your responsibility.

Here are some things to consider.

1. What drug coverage do you already have through the province? 

Your income may qualify you for assistance with some prescription drugs through the Saskatchewan Drug Plan and the Special Support Program. But not all medications are covered and you may still have to pay something. 

The bottom line: If you need ongoing prescriptions not covered by the province, look for a private health plan with comprehensive drug coverage and flexible reimbursement options. If your drug needs are mostly covered by the province, then the right private plan for you will focus more on dental, vision, and paramedical coverage.

2. What dental care do you and your family need?

Adults do not have any coverage for regular dental care in Saskatchewan, unless it’s emergency dental work done in a hospital. Kids under 13 might get some coverage through the provincial Children’s Oral Health Program. 

The bottom line: Most households in Saskatchewan need a private plan to help cover preventive, restorative, and major dental care. Look carefully at each policy’s limits and waiting periods.

3. What about paramedical support and mental health services?

Wellness for your family may require physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic care, or counselling—and these are not covered by the province, unless provided in a hospital setting.

The bottom line: Private plans include a range of limits for paramedical services, either with a single cap or a per-provider cap. Look for a plan that covers virtual counseling or PT if you’re in a rural area.

4. Does your location affect your access to health care?

Rural residents might have to travel long distances to see specialists or therapists. Consider how geography impacts your coverage with private and provincial plans.

The bottom line: Private plans may include telehealth or virtual care options, as well as out-of-province emergency treatment. If you live outside a major urban center like Saskatoon or Regina, look for a private plan that improves your access to local or virtual care.

5. Are there pre-existing conditions to consider?

Private insurance providers may handle pre-existing conditions differently, from imposing waiting periods or excluding certain conditions and treatments. 

The bottom line: If you rely on regular medication that is not publicly supported, be sure to review the fine print before you choose a private plan. Start with fully underwritten plans but consider guaranteed-issue plans if you can’t get the coverage you need.
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Ultimately, most people would benefit from some type of private plan—the key is to avoid duplicating provincial coverage and finding a plan that will save you money. Start by understanding what’s already covered, track your current medical spending, and then compare health insurance companies to build your private plan around the extended services you actually need.

FAQ: Best health insurance in Saskatchewan

Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of March 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.