Best Individual Health Insurance Plans in Ontario in 2026
Updated Dec 2025 - Written by Krista DeKuyper
The cost of health care has skyrocketed in recent years, which is why having an individual health insurance plan is crucial for every resident of Ontario. An individual health insurance plan is a private insurance policy you buy on your own to help cover health-related costs that aren’t paid for by provincial health care. With a reliable health insurance policy, individuals get peace of mind knowing that their healthcare needs are covered.
But then you consider provincial health coverage, is an individual health insurance plan really necessary if you live in Ontario and are covered by OHIP? It depends on your specific circumstances and health needs. As a health insurance brokerage in Ontario, we have years of experience working with Ontario’s top insurance providers. In this blog, we explore the best individual health insurance plans available in Ontario for 2026. Additionally, we’ll provide factors to consider when choosing a health insurance policy.
What’s the Best Individual Health Insurance in Ontario?
There’s no one-size-fits-all best individual health insurance plan in Ontario.
The best individual health plan is the one that matches your health needs, lifestyle, budget, and fills the gaps left by OHIP.
On the right, we’ve designed a simple table which compares the typical health needs of younger individuals vs. older adults. It can give you some insight into how most people in your age range make individual health insurance purchasing decisions.
Assess the areas of your health where you worry about coverage the most, and use that to guide what individual health insurance plan you choose.
| Younger Individuals | Older Adults |
|---|---|
| Primary Focus: Preventative care and emergency medical coverage | Primary Focus: Ongoing medical needs and higher coverage limits |
| Common Priorities: Basic prescriptions, travel coverage, unexpected expenses | Common Priorities: Prescription drugs, paramedical services, travel medical |
| Coverage Style: Entry-level or comprehensive basic plans | Coverage Style: Enhanced plans with higher maximums |
| Typical Needs: Dental cleanings, vision exams, mental health support | Typical Needs: Chronic medications, physiotherapy, massage therapy |
Good Plan Matches:
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Good Plan Matches:
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Understanding the Health Insurance Landscape in Ontario
When it comes to health insurance, most people in Ontario are either covered by OHIP, an employee-sponsored health insurance plan, or a private health insurance plan, which is where these individual health insurance plans come in.
Individual health insurance plans are ideal for those who:
Don’t have access to employer coverage,
Are self-employed,
Have personal health needs that require services not covered by OHIP.
For a list of what OHIP covers, click here.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Ontario Individual Health Insurance Plans
The main thing people in Ontario need to consider before purchasing a plan is whether it is truly necessary given what is already covered by the province through OHIP. This is something specific to Ontario residents, and an important factor in determining whether a policy is truly valuable.
As a whole, you should be considering factors like:
What the individual health insurance plan covers that OHIP doesn’t (such as dental and prescription drug coverage)
Coverage options as a whole, especially compared to competing plans
Premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and other associated costs
Network providers
Customer service
We’ll be going through each major Ontario health insurance provider and determining whether these plans are truly more valuable than what OHIP offers already.
An Overview of Ontario’s Top Individual Health Insurance Providers
The top providers of individual health insurance in Ontario are Manulife, Blue Cross, and Sun Life. Most people in Ontario are covered by one of their plans. If their plans don’t meet your needs, there are other smaller providers available which we will explore individually later.
Here’s an overview of each provider’s coverage focus, claims experience, value for price, and what they’re best known for when it comes to individual health insurance plans.
| Provider | Best For | Coverage Focus | Claims Experience | Value for Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manulife Wide plan selection |
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| Blue Cross Flexible cost structure |
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| Sun Life Balanced coverage |
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Manulife Financial: Customizable Health Insurance Plans
Manulife Financial offers customizable individual health insurance plans designed to suit various healthcare needs. Their plans provide coverage for medical services, prescription drugs, dental care, and travel insurance. Manulife Financial also offers extended coverage options, allowing individuals to add additional features as needed.
What Does a Manulife Individual Health Insurance Plan Cover?
Manulife Basic Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 70% of the first $575 worth of dental expenses (maximum $400/year)
Vision: $150/2 years
Mental Health: Maximum $300/year
Paramedical: $20/visit, maximum $300/year
Travel: $5 million, 15 day maximum per trip
Not Included
Prescription medication
Manulife Standard Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 80% of the first $400 worth of dental expenses, 50% of the following $860 worth of dental expenses (maximum $750/year)
Vision: $250/2 years
Mental Health: Maximum $500/year
Paramedical: $25/visit, maximum $500/year
Prescription Medication: 90%, maximum $5,000/year
Travel: $5 million, 30 day maximum per trip
Not Included
N/A
Manulife Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 100% of the first $500 worth of dental expenses, 60% of the following $700 worth of dental expenses (maximum $920/year)
Vision: $250/2 years
Mental Health: Maximum $750/year
Paramedical: $50/visit, maximum $2,000/year
Prescription Medication: 90%, maximum $20,000/year
Travel: $5 million, 30 day maximum per trip
Not Included
N/A
What Does Manulife Individual Health Insurance Cover That OHIP Doesn’t?
Vision Care
Dental Care*
Private Counselling
Prescription Medication**
Paramedical services
Travel Medical Insurance
*The CDCP fully and partially covers basic dental care for eligible Canadians, find out if you’re eligible here.
**Prescription medication only available in Standard & Enhanced plans
Blue Cross Ontario: A Comprehensive Health Insurance Option
Blue Cross Ontario is a prominent health insurance provider that offers comprehensive coverage to individuals in the province. Their plans include essential medical services, prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care. Blue Cross Ontario also provides flexible options to tailor the coverage to individual needs, ensuring that individuals are protected against unexpected medical expenses.
What Does a Blue Cross Individual Health Insurance Plan Cover?
Blue Cross Basic Individual Health Plan
Included
Dental: 60% preventative care with no coverage for major orthodontic procedures
Vision: $100/2 years
Mental Health: 60% (maximum $250/year per service)
Paramedical: 60% (maximum $250/year per service)
Not Included
Prescription Medication
Travel
Blue Cross Standard Individual Health Plan
Included
Dental: 70% preventative care with no coverage for major orthodontic procedures
Vision: $150/2 years
Mental Health: 70% (maximum $400 per year per service)
Paramedical: 70% (maximum $400 per year per service)
Prescription Medication: 70%, maximum co-pay: $100, maximum out-of-pocket: $1,350
Not Included
Travel
Blue Cross Enhanced Individual Health Plan
Included
Dental: 70% preventative care with no coverage for major orthodontic procedures
Vision: $300/2 years
Mental Health: 80% (maximum $500 per year per service)
Paramedical: 80% (maximum $500 per year per service)
Prescription Medication: 80%, maximum co-pay: $50, maximum out-of-pocket: $900
Travel: 100% of the costs within the eligible time period (eligible time will vary based on your plan)
Not Included
N/A
What Does Blue Cross Individual Health Insurance Cover That OHIP Doesn’t?
Vision Care
Dental Care*
Private Counselling
Prescription Medication**
Paramedical services
Travel Medical Insurance***
*The CDCP fully and partially covers basic dental care for eligible Canadians, find out if you’re eligible here.
**Prescription medication only available in Standard & Enhanced plans
***Travel medical only covered in Enhanced plans
Want a Manulife vs Blue Cross Comparison?
Read this blog!
Sun Life Financial: Flexible Coverage for Individual Health Insurance
Sun Life Financial offers flexible individual health insurance plans that cater to the diverse needs of Ontarians. Their plans include coverage for medical services, prescription drugs, paramedical services, and vision care. Sun Life Financial also provides additional wellness benefits and digital tools to help individuals manage their health effectively.
What Does a Sun Life Basic Individual Health Insurance Plan Cover?
Sun Life Basic Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 60% preventative care, no coverage for orthodontic or restorative procedures
Mental Health: 60% (maximum $25 per visit/year, $250 per practitioner/year)
Paramedical: 60% (maximum $25 per visit/year, $250 per practitioner/year)
Prescription Medication: 60% (maximum $750/year)
Travel: $1 million up to 60 days
Not Included
Vision
Sun Life Standard Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 70% preventative care, no coverage for orthodontic or restorative procedures
Vision: $50 per eye exam, $150 of coverage for prescription glasses, prescription eye contacts, and ocular surgery
Mental Health: 100% (maximum $300 per practitioner/year, no maximum per visit)
Paramedical: 100% (maximum $300 per practitioner/year, no maximum per visit)
Prescription Medication: 70% (maximum $7,000/year)
Travel: $1 million up to 60 days
Not Included
N/A
Sun Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 80% preventative care, 60% for orthodontic, 50% for restorative
Vision: $50 per eye exam, $200 of coverage for prescription glasses, prescription eye contacts, and ocular surgery
Mental Health: 100% (maximum $400 per practitioner/year, no maximum per visit)
Paramedical: 100% (maximum $400 per practitioner/year, no maximum per visit)
Prescription Medication: 80% (maximum $5,000/year)
Travel: $1 million up to 60 days
Not Included
N/A
What Does Sun Life Individual Health Insurance Cover That OHIP Doesn’t?
Vision Care**
Dental Care*
Private Counselling
Prescription Medication
Paramedical services
Travel Medical Insurance
*The CDCP fully and partially covers basic dental care for eligible Canadians, find out if you’re eligible here.
**Vision care only available in Standard & Enhanced plans
Canada Life: Affordable and Wide Range of Options
Canada Life is known for its affordable individual health insurance plans in Ontario. They offer a wide range of options with flexible coverage for medical services, prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care. Great-West Life also provides health spending accounts and wellness programs to promote a healthy lifestyle.
What Does a Canada Life Individual Health Insurance Plan Cover?
Canada Life Basic Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 70%, maximum $350/year for preventative care, no coverage for major dental procedures
Vision: 100%, maximum $150/2 years
Mental Health: 100%, maximum $30/visit, maximum $300/year for each service
Paramedical: 100%, maximum $30/visit, maximum $300/year for each service
Prescription Medication: 70%, maximum $500/year
Not Included
Travel
Canada Life Standard Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 80%, maximum $750/year for preventative care, no coverage for major dental procedures
Vision: 100%, maximum $200/2 years
Mental Health: 100%, maximum $40/visit, maximum $400/year for each service
Paramedical: 100%, maximum $40/visit, maximum $400/year for each service
Prescription Medication: 80%, maximum $10,000/year
Not Included
Travel
Canada Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 80%, maximum $1000/year for preventative care, 50% for major dental procedures, maximum $750/year
Vision: 100%, maximum $250/2 years
Mental Health: 100%, maximum $50/visit, maximum $500/year for each service
Paramedical: 100%, maximum $50/visit, maximum $500/year for each service
Prescription Medication: 90% for first $10,000/year, 100% for following $240,000
Not Included
Travel
What Does Canada Life Individual Health Insurance Cover That OHIP Doesn’t?
Vision Care
Dental Care*
Private Counselling
Prescription Medication
Paramedical services
*The CDCP fully and partially covers basic dental care for eligible Canadians, find out if you’re eligible here.
Desjardins Insurance: Coverage Tailored to Your Needs
Desjardins Insurance offers individual health insurance plans that can be tailored to meet specific needs. Their plans provide comprehensive coverage for medical services, prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care. Desjardins Insurance also offers additional coverage options, such as disability insurance and critical illness coverage.
What Does a Desjardins Individual Health Insurance Plan Cover?
Desjardins Basic Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 80% preventative, no orthodontic
Vision: $150/2 years for prescription eyeglasses, prescription eye contacts, surgery, $50/exam
Mental Health: Maximum 80% for each service, maximum $400/year
Paramedical: Maximum $400/year for each service
Prescription Medication: 70%, maximum $5,000/year
Travel: $5 million, maximum 90 days/year
Desjardins Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Included
Dental: 100% preventative, 100% major dental, 60% orthodontic
Vision: $250/2 years for prescription eyeglasses, prescription eye contacts, surgery, $70/exam
Mental Health: Maximum 80% for each service, maximum $500/year
Paramedical: Maximum $600/year for each service
Prescription Medication: 90%, maximum $10,000/year
Travel: $5 million, maximum 90 days/year
What Does Desjardins Individual Health Insurance Cover That OHIP Doesn’t?
Vision Care
Dental Care*
Private Counselling
Prescription Medication
Paramedical services
Travel Medical Insurance
*The CDCP fully and partially covers basic dental care for eligible Canadians, find out if you’re eligible here.
How to Find the Best Individual Health Insurance Plan in Ontario
It really is all about what you’re looking for in a individual health insurance plan. Each of the carriers listed above has multiple different types of plans that fit any kind of lifestyle and budget, from individual health to guaranteed acceptance to life insurance. You will need to take the time to look through each and figure out which one addresses your needs, especially if you’re already covered by OHIP.
When it comes to individual health insurance plans in Ontario, several providers offer comprehensive coverage options. Blue Cross Ontario, Sun Life Financial, Manulife Financial, Great-West Life, Desjardins Insurance, and BMO Insurance are among the top choices. However, it’s essential to carefully consider factors such as coverage options, premiums, customer service, and coverage compared to OHIP to find the plan that meets your unique needs.
Below are a few common scenarios we see with people considering individual health insurance vs. relying on OHIP. For each example, we’ll provide information about what provincially and federally-funded plans like CDCP and OHIP can’t cover, and whether individual health insurance is worth it.
Should You Get An Individual Health Insurance Plan or is OSAP Enough?
Real Examples & Scenarios
Scenario 1: Dental Coverage with High Income
“I am hoping to get major dental work covered, but I make 100k per year. Will the CDCP cover me or should I get an individual health and dental plan?”
Our Recommendation
The CDCP doesn’t cover households that make over $90,000 annually. To get your major dental work covered, you would need an individual health insurance plan.
Best options in this scenario:
Desjardins Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Sun Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Canada Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Manulife Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Scenario 2: Starting a Family
“I don’t have any major health issues but I am hoping to start a family in the near future. Does an individual health insurance plan make sense or is OHIP enough?”
Our Recommendation
Starting a family is the perfect time to invest in a comprehensive health insurance plan that supports you, your children, and any other members of your household. It can give you peace of mind in case there are health issues during the pregnancy, in hospital, or in infancy. Additionally, a plan with mental health coverage can really support new parents with post-partum depression or other arising mental health issues. We can help you find a plan that covers everything you’re worried about and would need.
Scenario 3: Youth with Mental Health Disorders
“I’m young, but I struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Do I need an individual health insurance plan for this?”
Our Recommendation
If you would like any mental health expenses covered — including therapy, prescription drugs, and other treatments — you’ll need an individual health plan. Mental health services and prescription drugs are not covered by OHIP at all. A private plan can cover anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, and other prescribed medications.
Best options in this scenario:
Blue Cross Enhanced Individual Health Plan
Sun Life Standard Individual Health Insurance
Sun Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Canada Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Scenario 4: Self-Employed with Varied Yearly Income
“I’m self-employed and my income varies year to year. Some years I qualify under the household income threshold, but other years I don’t. Should I rely on the CDCP or get an individual plan?”
Our Recommendation
Because your income isn’t consistent, relying solely on CDCP coverage may leave you with gaps in years when your income exceeds $90,000. If you want stability and predictable dental coverage — especially for major procedures — an individual dental or health & dental plan is the most reliable option. A personal plan ensures your coverage remains consistent regardless of fluctuations in your income.
Best options in this scenario:
Manulife Flexcare DentalPlus
Desjardins Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Canada Life Enhanced Individual Health Insurance
Scenario 5: Minimal Coverage from Employee Benefits
“My employer provides basic benefits, but the coverage is minimal and doesn’t have what I need. Can I get a supplemental individual policy to boost my coverage?”
Our Recommendation
Yes, you can absolutely add an individual health & dental plan to supplement a limited employer plan. If your employer’s coverage doesn’t include major dental, orthodontics, or high prescription drug needs, this can be easily covered by an individual health policy.
Scenario 6: Retirees
“I’m retired and no longer covered by my employer’s benefits. Do I need an individual plan now that I’m on a fixed income?”
Our Recommendation
Most retirees benefit greatly from an individual health plan. OHIP does not cover dental, vision (after age 65 only basic exams), hearing aids, or many paramedical services. An individual plan helps manage predictable health expenses and protects you from unexpected costs during retirement. Because acceptance and cost can vary by age, please contact us so we can help you find a guaranteed acceptance plan with no medical underwriting.
Scenario 7: Healthy College Student
“I’m a single college student with no health issues. Would it make sense to get an individual health insurance plan while I’m young?”
Our Recommendation
If you’re studying in Ontario and are covered by OHIP, you might not need an individual health plan other than for emergencies. The areas where you’ll likely make routine use of an individual health plan are dental, vision, prescription drugs, and travel coverage. If you see a need for any of those, we can help you find a low-cost plan that meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Costs vary widely between carriers. For the average cost of individual health insurance in Ontario, basic plans start at about $100/month and increase in price depending on your health risks. For example, older individuals are assumed to have higher health risks than their younger counterparts. Additionally, enhanced plan options come with more comprehensive coverage, and therefore have higher costs. For these larger plans, you can expect to pay up to $300/month.