A Guide to Health Insurance for Parents in Canada

What is health insurance for parents?

Health insurance for parents refers to private, individual, or supplemental health insurance that parents can purchase to give themselves and their children access to more comprehensive healthcare services. Supplemental health insurance fills the gaps left by provincial health care, while individual health insurance is simply a privately purchased supplemental plan—either in addition to employer benefits or as a replacement when workplace coverage isn’t available.

Provincial health care covers a range of medically necessary care for both parents and children, but there are drawbacks: you don’t get to choose the provider, wait times can be long, and the province decides what is considered “medically necessary.” Some provinces cover vision (like Healthy Smiles Ontario) and dental for kids (like the Canadian Dental Care Plan), but eligibility varies and not every child qualifies.

Specifics vary by province, but here are some of what is not usually covered for kids:

Private health insurance for parents generally comes in two forms:

• Guaranteed issue plans automatically accept applicants without medical exams or health questionnaires.
• Standard plans require answering health questions and may request medical information, making them less suitable for families with pre-existing conditions.

The reality is that parenthood can be expensive and healthcare costs can add up quickly. Private health insurance can help families save money while ensuring their children get the care they need, when they need it. 

In fact, 56% of Canadians say they’ve delayed or skipped health appointments due to cost.

The cost breakdown:

• 29% of Canadians say they spend over $1,000 per year out of pocket on healthcare
• 9% spend over $3,000
• A private policy for one person costs, on average, $900 per adult or $540 per child per year

For many families, private health insurance for parents and kids offers predictable costs, more robust coverage, and peace of mind.

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Did you know?

You can buy an individual health care plan for a child, even if you have your own private coverage through work or another provider. That said, it’s often cheaper to add a child as a dependent to a parent’s existing plan.

What health insurance covers for families

With so many health insurance plans available, you’ll be able to find one that covers what your family needs. Here are some of the most common services* that a private healthcare plan in Canada may cover:

* Inclusions depend on the insurance company and individual policy. Remember that most plans do not cover 100% of every included service. Most private plans do not cover experimental treatments and elective procedures.

Why parents may need additional coverage

Parents are facing affordability and access barriers when it comes to healthcare in Canada.

Even though parents know their children’s health comes first, cost remains a major barrier. Research shows that 35% of Canadians have delayed dental care, 28% have postponed vision care, and 24% have put off physiotherapy, massage, or chiropractic visits because of high out-of-pocket expenses.

“The biggest barrier is affordability. Our recent report found that one in three Canadians without coverage (34%) say it’s too expensive, and that jumps to 42% among households with children.” —Andrew Ostro, CEO & Co-founder, PolicyMe

About 40% of Canadians rely on group benefits from their employer, but this coverage can also be fragile since it ends if your employment does. And parents who are self-employed, freelancers, or entrepreneurs likely don’t have any private coverage at all.

That’s where the right private health insurance plan makes a difference. It helps close the gaps left by provincial health care, provides consistent coverage regardless of employment, and reduces unexpected medical costs so that your kids can access the care they need to grow up healthy.

How much does health insurance for parents cost?

The average cost of private health insurance in Canada for two adults and two children is between $200 and $400 per month. Here are sample rates for guaranteed-issue health plans from PolicyMe:

* All premiums are per person, per month and rates are current as of November 2025.

Your price depends on many factors:

• Province: If the cost of health care is high where you live, you’ll pay more for care. Generally speaking, those in Ontario and British Columbia pay the highest premiums in Canada.
• Family size: The more people you’re covering, the higher the premiums—although adding dependents to an adult plan can save you some money overall.
• Ages: Kids under 18 pay the lowest for premiums since they’re generally healthier, and premiums rise for each increasing age bracket.

Your specific healthcare plan is the biggest factor, however, in determining cost:

• Plan tier: Basic plans focus on preventive care, covering fewer services and costing less. Expect to pay more for “enhanced” or “premium” plans that cover extensive services.
• Coverage level: Annual maximums apply to every service. You’ll pay more for plans with higher coverage levels, because the insurer will share that cost with you.
• Coinsurance: This is the percentage you must pay when sharing costs with the provider. For instance, you might pay 20% and the company might pay 80%. If you pay less, like 10%, your premiums might be higher.
• Deductible or co-pay: The deductible is the out-of-pocket amount you pay before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible means the insurer charges less, and vice versa.

If your usage will be moderate, parents often benefit most from mid-tier health insurance policies.

“Compared to individuals, families should prioritize higher coverage limits, strong dental and vision benefits, and things like child-focused care or mental health support. It’s also important to look at how the plan handles claims per person versus per family, since costs can add up quickly. It’s about finding a plan that’s flexible, comprehensive, and built to handle real-life situations, not just the basics.” —Luke Rubar, Licensed Insurance Advisor

How to choose the right plan for your family

Consider two things to find the right medical insurance for your family: the money you’ll spend and the services you’ll need. Aim to balance routine care with unexpected family medical costs.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Add up current annual household spending (out-of-pocket) on health care. 

What have you actually spent money on in the past year? What services would you have used if they were covered?

• Dental appointments for kids and adults
• Glasses and contacts for kids
• Therapy
• Prescriptions for kids (inhalers, antibiotics, chronic meds)
• Paramedical care (postpartum physio, sports injuries)

2. Add up predicted annual household spending on health care.

• Orthodontics
• Vision changes
• Recurring prescriptions
• Specialty medical conditions

3. (Optional) Do you have workplace coverage with eligibility for dependents? 

Compare the group health benefits available to the insurance needs your family actually has. Many employer plans fall short for growing families: low caps on paramedical services, no or low vision and dental coverage, narrow mental health coverage, and low or no healthcare coverage for medical equipment. 

Great! Now you have an annual number for your family and you can start comparing insurance quotes to find coverage options that cost less, so you save money on medical bills without sacrificing necessary care for your loved ones.

As you explore plans, consider two important things:

• Avoid over-insuring: Align your medical coverage to what you need, and don’t pay for unused features just for peace of mind.
• Read the fine print: Make sure you understand a policy’s mandatory waiting period, exclusions, and annual maximums, especially if you’re anticipating dental or vision costs for your family.

Is health insurance worth it for parents?

Health insurance can be worth it for many parents, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Whether it makes sense for your family depends on how often you use healthcare services and how much financial uncertainty you’re comfortable with.

Raising kids in Canada can be relatively affordable or unexpectedly expensive. Most families will face surprise medical expenses at some point—whether it’s dental work, prescriptions, therapy, or even a job loss. Private health insurance costs more than relying on government coverage, but it offers predictsable monthly premiums and peace of mind that you won’t face the surprise of a large medical bill.

If your family already has comprehensive workplace benefits and you rarely pay out of pocket for healthcare services, purchasing additional private coverage may not be necessary right now. However, if you don’t have access to employer benefits or regularly need services that provincial healthcare doesn’t cover (as many families do), a private health insurance plan can be a smart investment.

FAQ: Health insurance for parents

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Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of October 2025. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.