Additional benefits from private health insurance.
Additional benefits from private health insurance.

In Quebec, more and more people are turning to private health insurance!

The public health insurance system in Quebec which is administered by the RAMQ offers basic coverage to all citizens. However, some medical expenses are not covered. To complement coverage and receive additional benefits,   private health insurance is the best solution. 

With so many different insurance companies and plans on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right plan for your needs.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 private health insurance in Quebec in 2023 to help you make an informed decision and find the coverage that’s best for you.

Why take out private health insurance in Quebec?

Almost all Quebecers have a health insurance card! What is the point of getting private health insurance? 

While the public health insurance system in Quebec is good, sometimes, it is not enough to cover all medical costs. And while group insurance from employers can augment this, not everyone has group insurance coverage.  

Health and drug plans in Canada cover certain medical expenses but not all.  Gaps can result in expensive bills you have to shoulder.  The public health plan may pay for only a fraction of your medical costs or not cover them at all.

With that in mind, many people are interested in taking out private health insurance.

  • Self-employed individuals
  • Retired individuals
  • Part-time workers
  • Workers with only basic health insurance coverage
  • Individuals with medical conditions
  • International students
  • New immigrants
  • Small business owners
  • People who want additional coverage

Types of coverage from private health insurance plans

Gap from public health plan covered by private health insurance.

In Quebec, private health insurance plans offer a variety of types of coverage to meet the different needs of each insured.

Here are the main benefits available from insurers in the province:

Basic medical care

Basic medical care includes medical consultations, prescription medications, laboratory tests, and basic hospital care.

Dental care

Dental coverage can include routine dental exams, cleanings, cavity treatment, root canals, dentures and dental surgeries.

Vision care

Vision care coverage can include routine eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.

Paramedical care

Paramedical coverage are for services that support or supplement medical care but don’t require a physician. These include chiropractic, physiotherapy, speech therapy, osteopathy and massage therapy services.

Mental health care

Mental health care coverage may include psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry services.

Travel care

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses in the event of an emergency while traveling outside of Canada.

The types of coverage offered vary between insurance companies and individual plans.  This is why it is important to carefully review the fine print before purchasing private health insurance.

Top 10 private health insurance in Quebec in 2023

Comparison of levels of coverage and prices of private health insurance.

Despite the benefits of public health insurance in Quebec, many people choose to buy private health insurance to receive additional coverage and better access to high quality health care.

Several insurance companies offer private health insurance plans with different types of coverage and prices.

We’ve put together a list of the top 10 private health insurance companies in Quebec for 2023 based on their reputation, quality of service, coverage, and cost.

Desjardins Insurance

Desjardins offers private health insurance that include paramedical, vision, dental, and medical coverage that can benefit you and your loved ones.

These benefits are similar to group insurance plans and covers medical expenses that are not included in the public health plan.

Quebec Blue Cross

Quebec Blue Cross offers private health insurance solutions to retired individuals, self-employed, and other individuals seeking additional coverage. They even offer coverage for pre-existing conditions with no medical questions (guaranteed acceptance).

Manulife Insurance

Manulife offers a wide variety of health insurance options including disability, health & dental, critical illness insurance, etc.  The company also offers a combined coverage for lost income, disability, and critical illness – a 3-in-1 solution that can give you total peace of mind.

Beneva Insurance

Beneva offers private health insurance solutions that cover critical illness and disability. If you are currently enrolled in a group plan but thinking to retire or quit soon, consider taking out private health insurance with Beneva.

Industrial Alliance

Industrial Alliance offers comprehensive medical and travel insurance.  It is the 4th biggest insurer in Canada and has operations throughout the country and the United States.

Medavie Insurance

Medavie offers flexible family health insurance plans with dental, vision, and drug insurance for your needs.

Sunlife Financial

Sunlife offers personal health insurance plans to cover medical bills that are not part of the public health plan.  These can include dental, physiotherapy, vision care, prescription medications, emergency travel medical services, and medical equipment for improved mobility.

RBC Insurance

RBC offers a simplified disability insurance coverage to protect your income if you get sick or injured. 

Canada Life Insurance

Canada Life Insurance offers health and dental insurance to cover the gaps from public health insurance. You can get covered for prescription drugs, paramedical services, dental, and even travel insurance.

Paramed+ Extended Insurance

Paramed+ offers a large selection of health insurance solutions through Odyssey.  Their options include plans for single individuals, single parents, couples, and families. The company offers 3 types of health and travel insurance options and 2 dental plans to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for basic coverage or more comprehensive protection, this list will help you find private health insurance that’s right for your healthcare needs.

Indeed, these insurers offer a range of private health insurance plans to meet different budgets and levels of coverage. The plans offered range from basic care to comprehensive plans that also cover dental, vision, and prescription drugs.

It’s important to research and compare plans to find the one that best suits your needs and budget. Fill out our short online form today and start comparing your options for private health insurance.

The Pros and Cons of Private Health Insurance in Quebec

Understanding the types of private health insurance.

Private health insurance can provide more comprehensive coverage and additional benefits compared to public health insurance. 

However, it also has disadvantages and additional costs. Here are a few pros and cons to consider when shopping for private health insurance:

Advantages of Private Health Insurance

  • More comprehensive coverage: Private health insurance generally offers more comprehensive coverage than public health insurance. This can include top quality medical care, specialty treatments, expensive medications, and dental care.

  • Reduced waiting times: With private health insurance, you can often avoid long waiting lists for certain medical treatments and receive care more quickly.

 

  • Flexibility: Private health insurance offers greater flexibility in choosing doctors and hospitals. You can therefore choose the healthcare professionals who best meet your needs and preferences.

  • Additional coverage: Some private health insurance plans provide additional benefits, such as dental care, vision care, and alternative treatments like acupuncture.

  • Peace of mind: By purchasing private health insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have extensive coverage in the event of illness or injury.

Disadvantages of Private Health Insurance

 

  • High costs: The cost of private health insurance is high, especially if you purchase comprehensive coverage.

  • Patient selection: Some private health insurers may select the patients they accept, based on their age, medical condition, or other factors.

  • Coverage limitations: Private health insurers may have coverage limitations for certain medical treatments, which means that you will have to pay out of pocket for these treatments.

  • Exclusions: Private health insurers may exclude certain treatments or conditions from their coverage, which means that you will have to pay out of pocket for these treatments.

  • Complexity: The terms and conditions of private health insurance can be complex. The terms make it difficult sometimes to understand the inclusions and exclusions of the plan.

How to save on your private health insurance plan in 2023

Private health insurance benefits cover medical expenses.

Are you looking to get the best coverage possible while staying within your budget? 

Keep on reading and note the tips listed below to get your hands on affordable private health insurance coverage.

#1: Assess your needs

#2: Avoid unnecessary riders or blankets.

#3: Compare multiple offers.

#4: Increase your deductible.

#5: Check for discounts.

Explore your options by requesting free quotes from our vast network of insurers and insurance brokers with one short online form!

Cost of premiums for private health insurance

How much does private health insurance cost? To get a proper estimate, you need to understand how insurers calculate the premiums. 

Insurers base premiums on several factors such as:

  • Level of coverage; 
  • Age:
  • Health status:
  • Medical history:
  • Other details such as type of employment, lifestyle, etc.


Many insurers offer competitive plans at attractive prices or benefits. Allow Compare Insurances Online to help you find the best package. Our partner brokers can compare multiple insurers and policies for you, free of charge, so you can save time and money.

Compare 3 private health insurance plans in Quebec

Choosing the right private health insurance plan is an important decision that can significantly improve your health and protect your finances. 

It is to your advantage to take the time to see what options are available and compare them to get the best offer that suits your needs.

Fortunately, you can use our short online form to receive FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes for health insurance plans in Quebec to find the best policy at the best possible price.

Fill out the short online form below to get 3 quotes from reputable insurers in Quebec, free of charge!

Remember to consider the cost, type of coverage, and the pros and cons of each plan to make the best choice for you and your family.

Save time and money!

Compare Insurances Online is an online bid solicitation service for insurance brokers and direct insurers. Our network of partners covers Quebec: Montreal, Quebec, Laval, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Gatineau, etc. All types of insurance are available for all kinds of budgets.

THE BEST WAY TO SAVE ON YOUR DAMAGE INSURANCE IS BY SHOPPING AROUND WITH THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL