Desjardins Health Insurance Review

Thinking about buying personal health insurance but not sure which insurer to go with? Desjardins, a household name in Canada, can be an option.

Canadians have access to universal health coverage, but it does not cover everything. A personal health insurance policy, like the one offered by Desjardins, can fill in the gaps in your provincial or territorial insurance plan. Private health insurance is essential to cover the significant out-of-pocket expenses due to medical expenses not included in provincial healthcare. It helps manage medical costs and provides financial relief for families.

Our review explains what Desjardins health insurance covers, its pros and cons, and more so that you can make you an informed decision whether it is a right fit for you and your family.

Overview of Desjardins Insurance Company

Desjardins is a leading provider of insurance in Canada, with a long history of serving individuals and families. As a part of the Desjardins Group, one of the largest financial cooperatives in Canada, Desjardins offers a wide range of insurance products, including health, dental, and travel insurance. With a strong commitment to customer service and a reputation for providing comprehensive coverage, Desjardins is a trusted name in the Canadian insurance industry. Whether you are looking for personal health insurance, dental coverage, or travel insurance, Desjardins has a plan to meet your needs.

Our review of Desjardins health insurance

Desjardins provides two personal health insurance plans, each offering different levels of coverage and add-ons to help you find the best coverage that is perfect for your unique needs. Desjardins health insurance can be a good choice for someone who doesn’t have access to group health insurance or needs more coverage than what their group plan offers.

Types of Health Insurance Coverage Desjardins Offers

Desjardins offers two types of plans:

• Health Plus Basic Plan
• Health Plus Enhanced Basic Plan

If you choose the Basic plan, you will get coverage for medical and paramedical services, besides travel and vision insurance. The Standard Plan provides all the benefits offered by the Basic plan, plus hospitalization benefits and higher reimbursement amounts. Both plans cover medical expenses that are not included in provincial healthcare, ensuring you are protected against unexpected medical costs.

What does Desjardins health insurance cover?

Desjardins health insurance offers the following coverage: 

• Services of health professionals 

Maximum benefit per individual per year. 

• Vision Care

Maximum benefit per individual per 2 years (24 months). 

• Hospitalization

• Travel insurance

Maximum benefit per individual

• Medical care
  • Convalescent care
  • Ambulance
  • Hearing aids
  • Medical equipment
  • Orthopedic devices
  • Dental treatment (accident-related)
  • Foot orthotics & orthopaedic shoes
  • Orthopaedic appliances & Prostheses
• Diagnostic Services
  • Ultrasounds
  • CT scans
  • MRI
  • Lab tests 
  • X-rays

What Extras Does Desjardins health insurance offer?

Desjardins offers two add-ons with Basic and Enhanced plans to help you customize your plan to your unique needs. 

What complimentary services are offered by Desjardins health insurance?

As a client, you enjoy access to: 

• Travel assistance: Available round the clock, it can provide timely support and guidance should you face a medical or non-medical emergency while traveling.
• Second medical opinion: In the event of a serious illness, a second opinion can give you more information about your condition, besides other alternative treatment options that the first doctor may not have mentioned. 
• 24/7 phone assistance services: You can call up Desjardins phone assistance anytime to get answers to any health-related questions, like childcare, nutrition, prescription drugs, and more. 

How much does Desjardins health insurance cost?

Desjardins insurance costs typically are in the range of $100 - $150 per month for those who are relatively young and do not smoke. Because Desjardins doesn’t provide online quotes, knowing the exact of coverage online is not possible. 

Desjardins, like other insurers, will give you a personalized price quote based on your personal details and policy-specific factors. How much you’ll pay for Desjardins health insurance largely depends on things such as: 

• Age: Generally speaking, the younger you are, the more affordable the premiums. 
• Gender: Health insurance coverage is more expensive for women than it is for men. This is because women utilize health insurance 10% more, on average. 
• Smoker status: Smoking doesn’t disqualify you from a fully-underwritten insurance policy, but it will increase your monthly insurance bill. 
• The number of people your policy covers: A plan covering only you will cost less than one that covers your entire family, other things being equal. 
• Optional extras:  With Desjardins, you can add various add-ons to your plan to tailor it to your unique needs. However, keep in mind every optional benefit will raise your monthly premium rate.

Before you settle on an offer from Desjardins, it is best to check how its coverage offerings and prices compare with other top Canadian providers 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.  

How to apply for Desjardins health insurance?

Desjardins doesn’t provide online quotes, nor does it sell health insurance online. To apply for coverage, you need to work with one of their advisors. You can book an appointment through their website or call them directly at 1-866-838-7553. 

How to login to Desjardins health insurance?

You will need to create an account with Desjardins on their website. This will give you access to a login page that looks like the one below.

Claims and Cancellations

Making a claim with Desjardins is a straightforward process. Policyholders can download the claims form from the Desjardins website, fill it out, and submit it to the company. Alternatively, claims can be made by contacting a Desjardins representative directly, ensuring you receive the support you need during the process. In the event of a cancellation, policyholders must speak with their broker or contact Desjardins directly to initiate the cancellation process. It’s essential to review the policy terms and conditions to understand any potential cancellation charges that may apply. This ensures you are fully aware of any financial implications before making a decision.

Desjardins Health Insurance App and Technology

Desjardins offers a mobile app called Omni, which allows policyholders to manage their group insurance and group retirement savings plans. The app enables users to submit insurance claims, access useful tools and resources, and manage their retirement funds. However, the app does not currently support  health insurance policies. Policyholders can still access their account information and manage their claims online through the Desjardins website. This online platform provides a convenient way to handle your insurance needs, ensuring you have access to important information and services at your fingertips.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Desjardins Insurance has a reputation for providing excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage. Policyholders praise the company’s friendly and knowledgeable representatives, who are always available to answer questions and provide support. Online reviews and ratings indicate that Desjardins is a trusted and reliable insurance provider, with many customers recommending the company to friends and family. However, as with any insurance company, some policyholders may have experienced issues with claims processing or customer service. It’s essential to research and read reviews from multiple sources to get a well-rounded understanding of Desjardins Insurance’s strengths and weaknesses.

What does Desjardins dental insurance cover?

You can top up your Basic or Enhanced plan with dental insurance cover. 

The Basic plan covers most preventive dental care, such as:

• Scaling
• X-rays
• Complete and recall examinations
• Fillings
• Cleaning

The Enhanced plan covers all preventive dental care procedures included with the Basic plan. In addition, it covers orthodontic treatment and repair work, such as: 

• Gum grafting
• Wisdom tooth removal
• Root canal treatment
• Fixed and removable dentures

Does Desjardins offer travel insurance?

Yes, it does. You can add travel insurance to your Basic or Enhanced health insurance plan by paying a little extra. Alternatively, you can purchase it as a standalone plan, which provides more comprehensive protection than the add-on coverage. 

Travel insurance protects you against a number of travel-related risks, including medical emergencies, baggage loss, and trip cancellations.

What are the benefits of Desjardins personal health insurance?

In Canada, each province or territory has its own health insurance plan, but these plans usually cover only basic medical services. Desjardins health insurance, as a form of private health insurance, can reduce your out-of-pocket medicalexpenses by paying for eligible expenses not covered by your government plan. If you’re one of many Canadians who don’t receive health benefits through work, personal health insurance is worth considering. It gives you coverage for medical emergencies, everyday health needs, and a variety of medical services.

Conclusion

Desjardins offer two different levels of coverage. While its Basic plan has more affordable premiums, it is the Enhanced plan you should be looking at if you want comprehensive coverage that includes hospitalization. However, before you sign up for Desjardins insurance, it would be a smart idea to get quotes from other providers. Since health insurance premiums vary from one insurer to another, it is possible that another insurer may offer you a better deal. Dundas Life works with multiple A-rated insurance companies and can get you personalized, free, and no-obligation price quotes from different providers so that you can objectively decide who is best for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Desjardins health insurance provide coverage for dental care?

You can dental care cover to your Basic or Enhanced plan by paying an additional sum. The Basic plan covers basic and preventive dental care while the Enhanced plan offers more comprehensive coverage, covering orthodontic treatment and repair work in addition to preventive dental care. 

Does Desjardins health insurance cover over-the-counter drugs?

No, it does not. Desjardins personal health insurance provides coverage of up to $10,000 per person per year for prescription-only drugs, including both generic and brand name prescription drugs. 

Can I customize my Desjardins health insurance plan? 

Yes, you can boost your Basic or Enhanced plan with add-ons for dental care and prescription drugs. 

How do I know if personal health insurance is a good fit for me? 

You should strongly consider personal health insurance if you: 

• Don’t have access to health benefits through work
• Run a small business or are a contract worker or self-employed
• Need more coverage than what is offered by your group health plan
• What is the coverage period for Desjardins health insurance? 

Desjardins covers you for one year. Your plan automatically renews every year until your 70th birthday, though you can cancel it any time you want.