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As a Canadian resident, you get universal access to health care. But did you know your provincial health plan doesn’t cover over 30% of medical costs?
If you don't have a private health insurance plan, out-of-pocket medical expenses may leave you with a large medical bill in the event of a medical emergency. Furthermore, with so many options available for personal health insurance, choosing the right plan might be quite the hassle.
Among the many options in the market is: Blue Cross health insurance. While Blue Cross is a household name in Canada when it comes to health insurance plans, the big question is: Is it right for you and your family?
Find out all that you need to know about Blue Cross personal health insurance to be able to make an informed decision in this blog post.
Our Blue Cross Health Insurance Review
Blue Cross is made up of a federation of regional non-for-profit insurance providers. It has a presence across Canada and is a major player in the health insurance industry. Blue Cross offers a range of affordably priced insurance solutions, including personal health insurance.
Blue Cross provides several pre-packaged health insurance plans, some of which are aimed at specific groups. For instance, there is a Student plan for recent graduates and a Retiree plan for older applicants looking for a replacement for their existing group health insurance plan.
All Blue Cross personal health insurance plans include a range of health, prescription drug, and dental coverage, with the option to add various optional add-ons, like coverage for hospital expenses and critical illness. If no pre-packaged plans meets all your needs, you can pick individual coverage options a la carte to create a personalized plan. Direct billing, mental health coverage, and online claiming is included with every Blue Cross personal health insurance plan.
Pros
- Choose from multiple pre-packaged plans or pick individual coverage options a la carte
- Save money on a variety of health-care services and products via Blue Advantage
- Enjoy exclusive access and preferred pricing for several health care options through the Connected Care program
- Submit claims online or via a mobile app
Cons
- Preventive dental care is not available in all provinces
- Some provinces don’t have a stand-alone dental plan
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What does Blue Cross Health insurance cover?
Blue Cross is one of the few Canadian providers that offers specific packages for different groups, such as:
- People without group health insurance
- Self-employed health insurance
- Student health insurance
- Recent immigrant health insurance
- Retiree health insurance
If you belong to one of these groups, you can choose between the following three plans: Entry, Essential, and Enhanced. The following table gives an overview of the type of coverage each of these plans offer.
Types of Blue Cross Health Insurance Products
Blue Cross health insurance options vary from one province to another. That said, most options provide three different levels of protections: Entry, Essential, Enhanced.
The following table shows what each of these levels cover in Ontario. If you live in another province, plan details will be different.
What does Blue Cross dental insurance cover?
Canadian universal healthcare provides access to coverage for medically necessary hospital and physical services, but it doesn’t cover everything. For instance, most dental treatments are not covered. Since dental care is a major expense, opting for personal health insurance with dental care makes a lot sense.
You can add dental coverage to all the three Blue Cross health insurance plans, but the level of coverage varies. It is important to understand the differences in the dental coverage available with each plan to be able to pick a plan that is right for you.
The Entry plan covers preventive treatment such as:
- Dental maintenance
- X-rays
- Exams
- Cleaning
- Fillings
The Essential plan reimburses more of your preventing dental-care expenses, besides covering root canals and extractions.
The Enhanced plan provides the most comprehensive dental coverage, which includes preventive treatment, orthodontics, major dental procedures, and periodontal services.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the dental coverage provided by the three Blue Cross personal health insurance plans:
What other benefits does Blue Cross health insurance include?
Blue Cross offers several optional benefits that can enhance the coverage offered by their plans and help you tailor the coverage to your unique needs. For example, if you travel frequently within Canada, the out-of-province medical care optional benefit can be a good option. It provides coverage in the event of an unexpected injury or illness while traveling.
Here’s the complete list of extras offered by Blue Cross health insurance:
How much does Blue Cross health insurance cost?
Blue Cross is known to offer competitive health insurance premiums. Someone who is relatively young and does not smoke can expect to get the Basic plan for roughly $30 - $35 a month. However, keep in mind that everyone’s premiums will be different, your health insurance rates are based on a number of factors, such as:
- Age: Older people are more likely to suffer from illness than youngsters and as such receive higher premiums.
- Tobacco use: Insurance companies view smokers as high-risk buyers since smoking increases health risks. If you smoke, your monthly premiums could be up to 50% higher than those paid by non-smokers.
- Smoker status: Smoking doesn’t disqualify you from a fully-underwritten health insurance policy, but it will increase your monthly insurance bill.
- Who is added to your plan: The premium for an individual plan is lower than that of a plan that covers multiple people. However, this doesn’t mean you should buy a separate plan for each family member. A family plan, while costlier than a comparable individual plan, is much cheaper than purchasing an individual plan for each family member.
- Optional benefits: The more add-ons you add to your base plan, the higher the premium will be.
Before you say yes to Blue Cross, it is smart to compare its offerings and premiums with other plans using our free price comparison tool. We offer you free, no-obligation price quotes based on your unique circumstances to help you pick the best deal.
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Find the best rates
How do I buy Blue Cross health insurance?
To apply for Blue Cross health insurance, visit their website and select your province. Next, click Health Insurance, select the type of health insurance you want (personal or group), choose the level of coverage you need, and schedule a call with a Blue Cross advisor to get a quote. You’ll receive a price quote based on your age, health, coverage, and optional benefits. Or, book a call with Dundas Life to let one of our experts help you out!
Can I get Blue Cross travel health insurance?
Travel coverage is available with the Enhanced Plan, but not with Entry and Essential plans. It covers unexpected medical emergencies for 30 days.
If you want comprehensive travel insurance, you may want to consider one of Blue Cross per-packaged travel insurance plans or pick individual coverage options a la carte. Some of the key types of coverage offered in Blue Cross travel insurance plans include:
- Emergency medical insurance: In the event of a medical emergency while traveling, this coverage can cover medical costs, up to the coverage limits in your policy. Eligible expenses include doctor and hospital bills, lab tests, and medication.
- Travel accident insurance: If you pass away or suffer a life-altering injury from an accident while traveling, this coverage pays up to $300,000 in compensation.
- Travel interruption or delay insurance: Delay insurance pays for costs associated with delays caused by emergency situations, weather, or aircraft maintenance issues. Travel interruption, in contrast, covers various expenses (like pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses or a last-minute flight home) if you have to cut your trip short or interrupt it due to a covered reason.
- Baggage insurance: This coverage provides compensation if your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during the course of travel.
- Travel accident insurance: It provides compensation in the event of accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech, or hearing while traveling.
Can visitors to Canada get Blue Cross health insurance?
Blue Cross offers a specialized health insurance plan—called Visitors to Canada Travel—for foreign visitors, immigrants, students, and workers entering Canada. The coverage details may vary slightly from one province to another, but the plan typically covers:
- Hospitalization (semi-private room)
- Medical expenses
- Paramedical expenses
- Emergency dental care
- Transportation costs
- Repatriation costs
- Subsistence allowance
What is Blue Advantage?
Blue Advantage is a unique program offered by Blue Cross to its members to help them save on vision care, medical, and other products across Canada. And the best part is you don’t have to do anything to join. All you need is your Blue Membership card.
Some of the things offered by Blue Advantage include:
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Hearing aids
- Fitness and wellness services
- Medical equipment
- Medical supplies
- Health professional services
What is Blue Cross Connected Care?
Connected Care from Blue Cross offers innovative health services for you and your loved ones. Some of these services are free while others charge a fee.
You can access the Connected Care platform through the Blue Cross mobile app or their website. It gives you access to several health care options, such as:
- Online doctors: Connect with a doctor online for treatment and consultation at any time of the day.
- A wellness portal: This proprietary wellness portal makes it easier for you to assess your health risks and take concrete steps to improve health.
- 360 total care program: Living with high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity can be difficult, but now help is just a few clicks away. This unique program gives you access to health specialists and digital tools to help you better manage your condition.
- Mental wellness: Anxious? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Discuss your problems with an accredited therapist anytime, anywhere through Connected Care.
Conclusion
Blue Cross offers multiple personal health insurance plans that cater to a diverse audience, from individuals who don’t have access to group insurance to full-time employees who want to supplement company-sponsored health insurance benefits. You can also mix and match plans to create a personalized plan. Special plans are also available, including a retiree plan for those approaching retirement and a student package for college students and recent graduates.
With many plans to choose from, plus the option to mix and match plans, it would be no exaggeration to say Blue Cross has something for everyone. However, since health insurance premiums vary from one insurer to another, you may want to compare prices across the market to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Dundas Life does all the hard work for you, comparing personal health insurance plans from the biggest providers in Canada so you can get the best value for your money. Book your call with a licensed advisor today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I customize my Blue Cross health insurance plan?
Yes, Blue Cross lets you tailor a plan to your needs. For example, you can add optional benefits or increase the coverage amount for a specific type of coverage, like prescription drugs. Customization options may vary depending on the specific plan and your location.
What is the process for filing a claim with Blue Cross health insurance?
Blue Cross offers you three options for submitting a claim. Firstly, you can file a claim online through their website. Secondly, you can use their app to submit a claim. Lastly, you can mail a completed claim form, along with the necessary documents, to the nearest Blue Cross office.
Does Blue Cross offer guaranteed health insurance coverage?
Blue Cross offers both guaranteed and non-guaranteed health insurance plans. Guaranteed health insurance plans are those for which you cannot be turned down. These plans do not require you to answer a medical questionnaire, so acceptance is guaranteed as long as you meet the age requirements. Blue Cross offers multiple guaranteed health insurance plans, making it easier for you to pick one that matches your needs and budget. Keep in mind that coverage options vary from province to province and typically guaranteed plans have lower coverage limits than medically-underwritten plans.
Can I add my dependents to my Blue Cross health insurance plan?
Yes, Blue Cross health insurance plans allow you to add dependents, such as spouses or children, to your coverage. The process and eligibility criteria may vary, so it's recommended to check with Blue Cross for the specific details.
Does Blue Cross offers a specialized health insurance plan for retirees?
Yes, it does. If you are approaching retirement and are worried how you’ll pay for your health costs, consider Blue Cross personal health insurance. Apply within 90 days of retirement for a guaranteed (no medical questions) health insurance plan. While the coverage details may vary, depending on where you live, Blue Cross Retiree Health Insurance plan usually includes prescription drug coverage, dental coverage, travel coverage, and extended health benefits.
How can I cancel a Blue Cross health insurance policy?
If you want to cancel your health insurance policy, first download the cancellation request form from the Blue Cross website. Next, mail the completed and signed form to your provincial Blue Cross office.
Alternately, you can cancel coverage by speaking directly with one of Blue Cross advisors at 1-800-355-9133.
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