How to Choose Manulife vs. Blue Cross Health Insurance in 2026
Updated Feb 2026 - Written by Krista DeKuyper
Key Takeaways
There’s no single “best” provider — the right choice depends on how you use health care.
Manulife’s ComboPlus, DentalPlus, and DrugPlus plans are designed to provide built-in benefits for prescription drugs, dental, vision, and paramedical services with set reimbursement structures and lifetime maximums.
Blue Cross prioritizes flexibility and customization. Complete Health plans act as a foundation, with optional dental and drug add-ons that let you tailor coverage and control monthly premiums.
You can browse plans from Manulife and Blue Cross easily with this instant quote comparison tool, which automatically compares plans and price points from every major carrier.
Prescription drugs and dental drive both cost and value. These two areas have the biggest impact on premiums and out-of-pocket savings, making them the most important factors when comparing plans.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
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Overall, Blue Cross offers the cheapest plan. You can purchase basic coverage through their Complete Health plan that excludes expensive dental and prescription drug coverage, resulting in a much lower monthly premium.
For a comprehensive plan that includes dental and drug, Manulife’s ComboPlus plans are the most cost-effective, with complete coverage at an affordable cost.
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Manulife offers bundled plans that include drug, dental, vision, and paramedical coverage in one package
Blue Cross offers flexible base plans with optional add-ons for dental and prescription drugs.
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The better option depends on your needs.
Manulife suits people who want comprehensive coverage in one plan. It is the go-to for first-time buyers since plans are more simple and straightforward.
Blue Cross is better for those who want to customize benefits and control premiums. They are usually chosen by repeat buyers who have had a private insurance plan before and feel confident customizing a new plan according to their needs and budget.
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Generally, Manulife offers the best dental coverage at the most affordable price.
Dental is included in their standard, low-cost plans and always covers preventative care like fillings, cleanings, exams, scaling, polishing.etc.
With DentalPlus plans or higher coverage levels (ComboPlus Enhanced), oral surgery and major restorative work is also covered.
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Yes, but switching may involve new medical underwriting, waiting periods, or cancellation fees.
To avoid gaps in coverage, it is best to have both plans active simultaneously until the new plan’s waiting periods end.
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Yes, you can have two insurance plans from different providers (Manulife & Blue Cross) simultaneously.
The way this works is through a “coordination of benefits”:
One provider will be your primary insurer, they’ll be the first to receive any claims you have.
If the primary insurer rejects your claim, that’s when your submit claims to the secondary insurer.
Manulife Health Insurance
Browse ComboPlus, DentalPlus, and DrugPlus Plans…
Manulife Financial is one of Canada’s leading insurance companies, offering a wide range of products including health insurance, life insurance, retirement, and wealth management solutions. Manulife provides customizable coverage options tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families. Their primary health insurance plan is called ComboPlus, which comes in Starter, Basic, and Enhanced levels. You can compare the coverage details for ComboPlus Starter, Basic, and Enhanced below.
| Manulife ComboPlus Plan Comparison | |||
| Benefit | Starter | Basic | Enhanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | |||
| Coverage Level | 70% up to $500/year Generic only Max dispensing fee $6.50 |
70% up to $1,000/year Generic only Covers smoking cessation & OTC |
90% up to $2,400/year Brand-name & generic No dispensing fee max |
| Reimbursement Structure | 70% of first $750 (Max $525) | 100% of first $750 70% of next $4,972 Max $5,000/year |
90% of first $2,222 100% of next $8,000 Max $10,000/year |
| Exclusions | Smoking cessation, OTC, fertility, erectile dysfunction | — | — |
| Dental | |||
| Coverage | 70% up to $500/year Anniversary max $400 Recall every 9 months |
80% up to $750/year Anniversary max $750 Oral surgery not covered |
100% up to $1,500/year Anniversary max $920 Major restorative after Year 2 |
| Maintenance Reimbursement | 70% of first $575 | 80% of first $400 50% of next $860 |
100% of first $500 60% of next $700 |
| Vision | |||
| Vision Coverage | $150 every 2 years Optometrist $70 every 2 years |
$150 every 2 years Optometrist $70 every 2 years |
$250 every 2 years Optometrist $70 every 2 years |
| Paramedical Services | |||
| Coverage | $300 per practitioner/year $25 per visit (max 20) |
$300 per practitioner/year $25 per visit (max 20) |
$400 per practitioner/year $25 per visit (max 20) |
| Additional Benefits | |||
| Travel Insurance | Not included | Not included | 9-day emergency coverage |
| Registered Psychologist | 10 visits First $80, then $65 |
15 visits First $80, then $65 |
15 visits First $80, then $65 |
| Lifetime Maximum | $250,000 per person | $260,000 (65+) | $500,000 per person |
Manulife DentalPlus Plans
For those with specialized dental needs, Manulife also offers their DentalPlus plans. Available in Basic and Enhanced, Manulife’s DentalPlus plans provide the same amount of coverage as ComboPlus but with additional dental coverage compared to what a standard ComboPlus plan would offer. Feel free to compare the DentalPlus Basic and Enhanced levels below:
| DentalPlus Plan Comparison | ||
| Benefit | DentalPlus Basic | DentalPlus Enhanced |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Structure | ||
| Medical Underwriting | No (Guaranteed Issue) | Yes |
| Health, Drug & Vision Coverage | Same levels as ComboPlus™ Basic | Same levels as ComboPlus™ Enhanced |
| Maximum Coverage Limits | Matches ComboPlus™ Basic plan levels | Matches ComboPlus™ Enhanced plan levels |
| Dental Coverage | ||
| Services Covered | Fillings, cleanings, scaling, exams, polishing, select extractions | Fillings, cleanings, scaling, exams, polishing, select extractions, plus major restorative services |
| Year 1 Reimbursement | 50% of first $1,150 Anniversary max $575 |
70% of first $1,200 Anniversary max $840 |
| Year 2+ Reimbursement | 80% of first $400 50% of next $860 Anniversary max $750 |
100% of first $500 60% of next $700 Anniversary max $920 |
| Recall Visits | Every 9 months | Every 6 months |
Manulife DrugPlus Plans
On the other end of the spectrum is Manulife’s DrugPlus Plans. Like DentalPlus, Manulife DrugPlus is designed to help those with specialized drug needs get higher coverage for prescription drugs than what is available in standard ComboPlus plans. Manulife DrugPlus plans share the same amount of coverage as ComboPlus, but with additional prescription drug benefts.
| DrugPlus Plan Comparison | ||
| Benefit | DrugPlus Basic | DrugPlus Enhanced |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Structure | ||
| Medical Underwriting | No (Guaranteed Issue) | Yes |
| Health, Drug & Vision Coverage | Same levels as ComboPlus™ Basic | Same levels as ComboPlus™ Enhanced |
| Maximum Coverage Limits | Matches ComboPlus™ Basic plan levels | Matches ComboPlus™ Enhanced plan levels |
| Drug Coverage | ||
| Reimbursement | 70% of first $750 90% of next $4,972 Max $5,000/year |
90% of first $2,222 100% of next $8,000 Max $10,000/year |
| Dispensing Fee | No maximum | No maximum |
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Blue Cross Health Insurance
Browse Complete Health Plans and Available Add-ons…
Blue Cross is a major health insurance provider in Canada, offering a variety of health and dental plans designed to provide affordable and reliable coverage. Blue Cross focuses on offering flexible health insurance options for individuals, families, and employers. Their primary health insurance plan is called Blue Cross Complete Health, and comes in Entry, Essential, and Enhanced levels. You can compare the differences of each plan below.
| Blue Cross Complete Health Plan Comparison | |||
| Benefit | Complete Health Entry | Complete Health Essential | Complete Health Enhanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Practitioners | |||
| Psychologist | $55 per visit, max $250/year | $80 per visit, max $400/year | $95 per visit, max $500/year |
| Massage Therapist | Not covered | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Physiotherapist | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Chiropractor | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Acupuncturist | Not covered | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Dietitian | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Naturopath | Not covered | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Audiologist | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Occupational Therapist | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Osteopath | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Podiatrist/Chiropodist | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Speech Therapist | $40 per visit, max $250/year | $55 per visit, max $400/year | $70 per visit, max $500/year |
| Additional Coverage | |||
| Ambulance Services | Not covered | Up to $420/year | Up to $420/year |
| Hearing Aids | Not covered | Up to $400 every 5 years | Up to $500 every 5 years |
| Orthotics | Up to $150/year | Up to $150/year | Up to $225/year |
| Vision Care | Up to $100 every 2 years | Up to $150 every 2 years | Up to $300 every 2 years |
| Diabetic Supplies | Not covered | Up to $2,280/year (CGM) | Combined max $2,500/year (with medical equipment, nursing, prosthetics) |
| Medical Equipment | Not covered | No overall maximum | Combined max $2,500/year (with diabetic supplies, nursing, prosthetics) |
| Nursing | Not covered | Up to $3,500 every 2 years | Up to $5,600 every 2 years |
| Prosthetics | Not covered | Up to $10,000 lifetime | Up to $10,000 lifetime |
| Accidental Dental | Up to $7,000 lifetime | Up to $7,000 lifetime | Up to $7,000 lifetime |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Not covered | Up to $15,000 member/spouse, $5,000 per child | Up to $25,000 member/spouse, $5,000 per child |
| Trip Duration Benefits | No coverage | No coverage | Up to 30 days (option for 17 days) |
Blue Cross Dental Benefit Add-on
Blue Cross’s insurance coverage works through optional add-ons, allowing policyholders to customize their plans according to their needs. This allows those without a need for expensive dental coverage to benefit from far lower premiums. For individuals and families needing dental coverage, Blue Cross offers optional dental benefits in the Entry, Essential, and Enhanced levels.
| Dental Benefit Add-On Comparison | |||
| Benefit | Entry Dental | Essential Dental | Enhanced Dental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Dental Services | |||
| Fillings | $500 combined max/year (includes exams, cleanings & X-rays) | No overall maximum | No overall maximum, but $1,000/year combined with extractions & root canals |
| Extractions & Root Canals | Not covered | No overall maximum | $1,000/year combined with fillings |
| Periodontal Services | Not covered | Not covered | 60% coverage, max $1,200/year |
| Major & Specialized Dental | |||
| Major Dental Work | Not covered | Not covered | 60% coverage, max $500/year |
| Orthodontics (Age 18 & Under) | Not covered | Not covered | 60% coverage, $1,500 lifetime max, $125 monthly reimbursement limit |
Blue Cross Drug Benefit Add-on
For individuals and families needing prescription drug coverage, Blue Cross offers optional drug benefits in the Essential and Enhanced levels. Please note that there is no Entry level available for the drug benefit add-on.
| Drug Benefit Add-On Comparison | ||
| Benefit | Essential Drug | Enhanced Drug |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Drug Coverage | ||
| Maximum Coverage | 70% coverage, no overall maximum | 80% coverage, no overall maximum |
| Birth Control | Covered | Covered |
| Smoking Cessation | Up to $800 every 5 calendar years | Up to $800 every 5 calendar years |
| Allergy Serums | Not covered | Up to $500/year |
| Vaccines | Not covered | Up to $250/year |
| Erectile Dysfunction | Not covered | Up to $250/year |
| Fertility | Not covered | Up to $1,500/year, $3,000 lifetime maximum |
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How to Choose Between Manulife vs. Blue Cross in 2026
So, how do you actually choose between Manulife and Blue Cross? Start by answering a few key questions:
Check what’s covered by your provincial health care: Coverage under provincial plans can change over time. Review what is currently covered to understand where gaps exist. Then, decide how much extra coverage you need based on where you most often end up paying out-of-pocket (usually for dental or prescription drug).
Consider how you will use the plan: Think about your current medical expenses. If you rarely visit doctors or specialists, a basic plan will likely be enough. But if you have frequent prescriptions, paramedical treatments, or dental work, a more comprehensive plan will be higher monthly cost but ultimately save you more money in the long run.
Plan for the future: Your insurance needs today might not reflect what you’ll need in the future. Consider potential family health concerns, upcoming life changes, or chronic conditions that could arise. Choosing a plan with flexibility and higher coverage limits now can prevent gaps later. While you can choose to change plans at any time, you may be subject to a cancellation fee and new waiting periods.
Compare pros and cons of each provider: Manulife offers strong comprehensive coverage, while Blue Cross provides more flexible options with the ability to mix and match different add-ons to suit your needs. Balancing their strengths and weaknesses with your personal needs will help you make the best choice. We breakdown the major pros and cons of Manulife and Blue Cross below.
Manulife vs. Blue Cross: Pros & Cons
Manulife Health Insurance
More than 7 unique individual health plans available for individuals and families.
Limited ability to mix and match different coverage needs. Plan coverage is standardized.
Most plans include coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision, and paramedical services.
Premiums can be higher for comprehensive coverage plans.
Manulife Vitality can be added to any plan to save on premiums and get exclusive rewards.
No options to exclude prescription drug or dental coverage that you don’t need.
Blue Cross Health Insurance
Those without drug or dental needs can benefit from a much lower monthly premium.
Dental and drug does not come with Complete Health and must be included as an add-on.
The most flexible coverage, allowing you to mix and match different coverage add-ons.
Plans that include both dental and drug add-ons will be more significantly expensive.
Enhanced dental add-on provides much higher coverage than competitors.
Entry and essential dental add-ons don’t include any major dental work or periodontal services.
Manulife vs. Blue Cross Coverage Comparison Table
To understand differences in coverage, here’s a table comparing the coverage details of both Blue Cross and Manulife.
| Manulife vs. Blue Cross Comparison | ||
| Benefit | Blue Cross Complete Health | Manulife ComboPlus / DentalPlus / DrugPlus |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | ||
| Coverage | Essential: 70% no max Enhanced: 80% no max |
Starter: 70% up to $500 Basic: 70% up to $1,000 Enhanced: 90% up to $2,400 DrugPlus Basic/Enhanced match ComboPlus levels |
| Reimbursement / Limits | Essential: Covered, max 70% Enhanced: Up to 80%, includes fertility, ED, allergy serums, vaccines |
Starter: 70% of first $750 Basic: 100% first $750, 70% next $4,972 Enhanced: 90% first $2,222, 100% next $8,000 DrugPlus follows same rules |
| Exclusions | Essential: Allergy serums, vaccines, fertility, ED not covered | Starter: Smoking cessation, OTC, fertility, ED Basic/Enhanced: progressively more covered |
| Dental | ||
| Coverage | Entry: $500/year Essential: no max Enhanced: $1,000 combined max (fillings + extractions), major & orthodontics partially covered |
DentalPlus Basic: 50% first $1,150 Year 1, 80%/50% Year 2+ Enhanced: 70% first $1,200 Year 1, 100%/60% Year 2+, major restorative included |
| Recall Visits | — | Basic: every 9 months Enhanced: every 6 months |
| Vision | ||
| Coverage | Entry: $100/2yrs Essential: $150/2yrs Enhanced: $300/2yrs |
$150/2yrs Starter/Basic $250/2yrs Enhanced |
| Optometrist Visits | — | $70 every 2 years |
| Paramedical Services | ||
| Coverage | Varies by practitioner: $40–$70 per visit, max $250–$500/year | Starter/Basic: $300 per practitioner/year, $25 per visit max 20 Enhanced: $400/year, $25 per visit max 20 |
| Registered Psychologist | ||
| Visits | Essential: $55–$80 per visit, max $250–$400/year Enhanced: $70–$95 per visit, max $500/year |
Starter: 10 visits, $80 first, $65 subsequent Basic/Enhanced: 15 visits, $80 first, $65 subsequent |
| Travel Insurance | ||
| Coverage | Enhanced: Up to 30 days (optional 17 days) | Enhanced: 9-day emergency coverage Starter/Basic: Not included |
| Lifetime Maximum | ||
| Coverage | Varies by plan: nursing, prosthetics, medical equipment limits apply | Starter: $250,000 Basic: $260,000 (65+) Enhanced: $500,000 |
| Additional Benefits | ||
| Other Highlights | Ambulance, hearing aids, orthotics, diabetic supplies, prosthetics, accidental dental, AD&D included depending on plan | Covers prescription drugs, dental, vision, paramedical, psychologist visits, travel; specific reimbursement rules by plan tier |
Not Sure Between Manulife and Blue Cross? Start With These Scenarios
We’ll provide some common health insurance decision scenarios we see, along with best practices, professional advice, and the best Manulife and/or Blue Cross plan to meet your needs.
Scenario 1: “I need the cheapest premium available.”
For the cheapest plan, you will need to stay within the starter/basic or entry/essential plan levels. Additionally, the most expensive parts of your plan will be prescription drug and dental coverage, so excluding those (if possible) if the best way to get the cheapest rate available.
The best options in this scenario would likely be Manulife ComboPlus Starter and Blue Cross Complete Health Entry with no add-ons.
We wrote a full article exploring the cheapest health and dental plans available — You can read it here.
Scenario 2: “I want the plan with the highest annual limits”
Higher annual limits are best for those who have ongoing health needs and expect to use their coverage frequently.
Low-cost plans with high coverage percentages and reimbursement rates will often come with very limited annual maximums. If you aren’t mindful about your annual costs, you may find yourself paying entirely out-of-pocket within a couple months.
Plans such as Blue Cross’s Complete Health Essential and Enhanced plans have many categories covered with no annual maximums (excluding dental).
Scenario 3: “I want a plan that includes emergency travel coverage”
For frequent travelers, having emergency travel insurance on top of general health, dental, and drug coverage is a huge advantage. It’s like killing two birds with one stone.
However, emergency travel insurance isn’t a standard benefit, and most basic plans exclude it. It is not included in Manulife Starter or Basic plans, nor is it included in Blue Cross’ Entry and Essential plans.
For a plan that adds travel coverage, your best options are Blue Cross Complete Health Enhanced (up to 30 days of coverage) and Manulife FlexCare ComboPlus Enhanced (9 days of coverage).
Scenario 4: “I only need basic prescription drug coverage and don’t want to overpay”
Focus on basic health plans with a drug benefit or drug-only plans. This gives you coverage for what matters most without overpaying.
In this case, we’d recommend going with Manulife’s ComboPlus Starter, which offers comprehensive coverage including basic prescription drug. If ComboPlus’s drug coverage isn’t enough for your needs, Manulife’s DrugPlus Starter is a good alternative.
Blue Cross’s drug benefits are only available in the Essential/Enhanced levels.
Scenario 5: “I need a plan that won’t exclude costs related to my pre-existing condition”
You’re right to be concerned about exclusions. Many standard health insurance plans involve medical underwriting, meaning you will need to disclose pre-existing conditions. As a result, insurance companies may deny your application or exclude coverage related to your condition.
The best way to avoid this is by looking into guaranteed acceptance plans, which are designed to cover people with ongoing health needs and pre-existing conditions.
Scenario 6: “I rarely use healthcare services and just want backup coverage”
Even if your health needs aren’t serious or ongoing, it’s still valuable to have a basic health insurance plan for preventative care, unexpected medical expenses, and/or sudden changes in your health. Beginner plans are the best place to start here.
In this case, it makes sense to prioritize low-cost plans with comprehensive coverage. Manulife FlexCare ComboPlus Starter offers basic, comprehensive benefits and is a great place to start for first-time buyers.
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