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Quick Guide to Insurance for Single Parents in Canada

May 22, 2020/0 Comments/in Health Insurance, Dental Insurance /by David Tompkins

What You Need to Know About Insurance for Single Parents in Canada

Being a single parent means double the work and double the love. There’s also double the stress when it comes to planning for your children. Statistics show that there are 1.64 million single parents in 2018 in Canada. That means most sole breadwinners may be facing challenges when it comes to hitting their financial goals or even saving. It is especially difficult during this COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, as single parents, it’s vital to ensure you and your children are fully covered in case of any emergency. Here’s what you need to know about health insurance for single parents in Canada.

Extended Health Insurance for Single Parents in Canada

Obtaining Canadian health insurance is critical for single parents. Medical bills can really add up and an individual Canadian health plan can be a vital part of a single parent’s financial safety net. Extended health insurance for single parents includes major medical benefits that supplement the existing provincial hospital and medical insurance plans. Single parents can reimburse expenses that are not covered by the existing government plans. It includes:

Drug coverage
Hospital coverage
Medical supplies and equipment
Paramedical services
Out-of-province coverage

Dental Insurance for Single Parent Families

Many Canadians obtain dental insurance through their employer, union, or provincial government. Dental insurance for single parents helps you pay for your dental treatment. One of the main reasons why employers provide health and dental benefits is to promote good health.

Below is a checklist of what you need to know about your dental plan.

What is covered each year?
Is there a deductible?
Is there a total dollar limit on my coverage?
Can I choose a procedure other than the one my plan covers?
Will I still be covered if I change jobs?
To what extent am I covered for cleanings and x-rays?
To what extent am I covered for dental treatments such as fillings and root canals?
What about other treatments such as bridges and crowns, dentures and oral surgery?
Can I choose my own dentist? (Some plans may restrict you to a list of approved dentists.)

It’s also important to know what your plan covers and to what extent. Keep in mind that co-payment is your part of the bill that you will not be reimbursed for. Depending on your plan, you may be paying 20% ( x-rays, cleaning, fillings, and root canals) or 50% of the bill (major procedures-crowns and bridges).

Life Insurance for Single Parents

It may not be easy to imagine your young kids as self-determining adults; however, you hope to reach the age to see that day. Life insurance comes with a financial security cover, just if by chance you do not have one. Financially speaking, this tool is very essential. It is a necessity for practically every parent, be it couples or single parents.

However, research has cleared a misconception. Since in the case of a single parent, your child or children are dependent on what you earn. This, life insurance is crucial. Ideally, you should think about getting enough life insurance to pay off your debts and have enough left over, that if invested, will provide an income for your children till they are adults. Some recommend you may want to get a policy that has a value of the amount of at least 10 times your yearly income.

RBC Insurance offers a great life insurance needs calculator.

Accident Insurance for Parents

Accidents always happen without a warning. It is impossible to predict when they can occur, so it is advisable to always be prepared. This is where accident insurance can assist.

Critical Illness Insurance (CII) for Parents and Kids

Critical illness insurance is a lump sum cover that supports you when you are diagnosed with a fatal illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. After your diagnosis, you will get a fixed amount.

Disability Insurance for Single Parents

Disability insurance is a type of insurance that replaces a portion of your income if you become sick or injured and are not able to work in your occupation and experience a loss of income.

To be eligible to get disability insurance, you must already have a steady income. Your employer may provide a short and long term disability plan, but if not it is possible to get a quote and purchase individual disability insurance. Note that medical underwriting will be required and coverage, premiums, and conditions will be subject to underwriter approval.

Some research can help you find the best health insurance for you and your children, as a single parent. Planning ahead will put your mind at ease. It’s also the best way to have double the fun!

Prescription Medications Covered Under Canadian Health Plans

May 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Canadian Health Tips, Dental Insurance /by David Tompkins

Prescription Medications Under Canadian Health Plans

Medications are a very big part of total health spending in Canada and many Canadians rely upon their prescriptions to manage their health. This detailed article looks at prescribed medications that Canadian health plans often include. It also talks about the medications that these health plans do not cover. Here’s what you need to know about prescription medications under Canadian Health Plans.

Top 10 Common Dental Procedures for Canadians

May 5, 2020/0 Comments/in Dental Insurance, Canadian Health Tips /by David Tompkins

Learn About the Top Ten Common Dental Procedures for Canadians

Cleaning your teeth and gums healthy is a lifelong commitment. No one is immune to dental problems. Regular dental checkups and appointments with your dentist for professional cleanups are the best thing one can do to keep dental problems at bay.

While some of the procedures are straightforward, others are a bit complicated and more involved. The information listed below will help you understand the many procedures and treatments available. Here are the top 10 dental procedures and their benefits.

1. Bonding

One of the standard dental procedures is bonding. For teeth that are uneven in shape, chipped, fractured, or spaced out, dentists resort to bonding to make them look even and better. It is done by mixing composite resin into a paste and applying it to the disfigured tooth. Several layers of resin are applied to the problematic tooth. After applying each layer, it is hardened under UV laser or light. Once set enough, the tooth is then shaped and polished for the final natural and smooth finish. This dental procedure is also used to make older teeth look younger.

2. Veneers

Veneers are used to repair chipped, decayed, and stained teeth. Thin but durable pieces of porcelain are made to bond to the teeth. Veneers are also used to close gaps between irregular teeth or even crowded or overlapping teeth. Many people opt for veneers instead of crowns. During this procedure, the use of a local anesthetic is common. The final touch includes slightly grounding the tooth enamel.

3. Crowns

Also known as a cap, crowns are used to cover the damaged part of decayed, broken, badly stained, or unshaped teeth. They protect the affected tooth from further damage. Crowns can be made of acrylic, metal, porcelain, or porcelain bonded to metal.

Dentists usually use porcelain crowns for the front teeth because they look more like natural teeth, while porcelain bonded to metal are used as crowns on molars and premolars. Because metal is durable, the all-metal crowns are used for the back teeth.

The dentists freeze the tooth to be crowned with anesthesia and then file it down for the crown to fit over it. For this, the person must visit the dentist for a couple of sittings. Till the crown is ready, a temporary cap is fitted over the tooth. Crowns are made by taking an impression of the teeth and gums so that the crown mimics the natural tooth. On the next sitting, the crown is then cemented onto the tooth.

4. Braces

One of the most common dental procedures is braces. When teeth are not correctly aligned, they can cause bite-related problems, such as underbite or overbite, that may, at times, lead to mouth ulcers or blisters. In such a case, braces are applied to put gentle pressure on the misaligned teeth and force them into their correct position. Braces can either be the fixed type or ones that can be removed.

5. Bridges

Bridges are used to restore severely damaged teeth to their former self. Bridges are false teeth that consist of two crowns. They are anchored in place by the neighboring teeth. The crown covers both the nearby teeth as well as the false one in the middle.

6. Dentures

Dentures are used as prosthetic devices. A denture can be partial or full, and full dentures are usually referred to as ‘false teeth.’

7. Fillings

Cavities in the teeth are usually treated by filling them. These fillings can be of different types, and it is the patient who decides what kind of a filling they want to opt. Restorative materials are used to repair damaged teeth.

8. Root Canal Treatment

Extraction is not the only way to treat affected or injured teeth. Patients with abscessed or wounded teeth usually undergo root canal treatment. This procedure is carried out by either a dentist or an endodontist.

Dentists drill the infected tooth and clean the infected tissues. The hole is then filled and sealed. This simple procedure not only saves the tooth but also prevents other teeth from malalignment. If not treated, it could lead to jaw problems and difficulty eating. A root canal treatment also prevents the patient from opting for an artificial tooth.

9. Teeth Whitening

Compared to most dental procedures, teeth whitening is pretty common. The obsession of Canadians for a brighter and whiter smile has led to a wide range of teeth whitening options to hit the dental market. Though natural teeth are never entirely white, the demand for procedures of teeth whitening has shot up to an extent where dentists cannot ignore it.

Usually, the darkening of teeth occurs with age. Still, staining of teeth can also be a result of smoking, drinking tea and coffee, consuming drugs like tetracycline, eating certain berries, etc. The typical teeth whitening options available include in-office and at-home bleaching. Both use peroxide-based bleaching agents.

10. Sealants

To stop decay-causing bacteria from invading and attacking healthy teeth, dentists often use sealants to block that space. Sealants are usually applied to teeth present at the back of the mouth. It is the surface of these molars and premolars that get denuded and so have to be sealed.

It is only your dentist who has the expertise and training to provide you a proper diagnosis of your oral health conditions. There are a variety of cosmetic options available that you can opt for in addition to maintaining a good home care dental routine. Follow the advice of your dentist and create a habit of regular cleaning and dental care for optimum oral health.

Important Note

As always, before venturing into any new dental procedures, you must be covered. Most international health insurance provides dental coverage as an option. It will come in handy, especially if you’re abroad and knowing dental procedures can be costly, getting adequately covered saves you the hassle.

Common Health Procedures Not Covered by Your Provincial Medical Plan

April 30, 2020/0 Comments/in Canadian Government Coverage /by David Tompkins

Which Medical Procedures not Covered by Your Provincial Medical Plan

We are lucky in Canada to have a universal healthcare system that covers Canadian residents for most health services. The coverage is not as comprehensive as you would find under a private health plan in the USA, but for the most part, Canadians pay little or nothing directly for this coverage as the healthcare is covered by provincial taxes and also from the Federal Government. Yes, there are gaps and long waiting lists, but overall it is a pretty good system. But we wanted to provide a list of 5 health services and procedures not covered by provincial medical plans and illustrate the need for individual health plans via our website. Read more

Can you afford extended health insurance in Canada?

April 29, 2020/0 Comments/in Health Insurance /by David Tompkins

Extended Health Insurance in Canada – Is it Affordable?

If you don’t have any health or dental coverage or you have lost your employer-sponsored insurance, then you are probably wondering if how much an individual policy costs. Can you afford extended health insurance in Canada if you are out of work, retired or working as an independent contractor or business owner. The other question you need to ask yourself is can you afford to pay significant out of pocket medical expenses that are not covered by your provincial medical system.

What healthcare services are covered by my province?

Basically everyone residing on a permanent basis in Canada is covered by their respective provincial medical plans. In Canada, government health coverage is through a public health system and is available to eligible residents. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for provincial health insurance and it is not too difficult to apply for. In BC, the system is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It covers the cost of medically-necessary insured doctor services. This includes anything done at a hospital or your doctor’s office, but also scans, exams, day-patient surgeries and much more. The plans are fully funded by income or payroll taxes in most cases.

Yes you have provincial medical coverage, but it has lots of gaps

Yes, remember while coverage is comprehensive, it doesn’t cover everything. Lots of very expensive claims, such as medications, can leave you with some significant bills. Thus, it makes sense to get some individual coverage. Also, provinces generally don’t cover dental claims.

How much does extended healthcare cost?

This depends on a variety of factors such as:

Plan you pick
Your age and that of your insured dependents
The province you live in
Options you choose
Insurance company rates – they are very similar
Quality of the plan
If you apply for a new plan, the rate may differ depending on your health history

The bottom line is that it is not too expensive and it can save you a lot of money if you become sick or injured. A chronic illness can also really cause you to incur a lot of claims. Note that your own claims don’t impact your rates once you have a plan in place – they are “pooled” with all the other insurance company clients. You can choose an extended health plan only or add dental coverage.

Get Covered & Receive Peace of Mind with Extended Health Insurance in Canada

Nobody ever thinks bad things will happen to them – but stuff happens and that is why you pay a small premium to have the insurer via Healthcover. ca to be in the background in case you need them. To find out how much, it is really simple. Just get a quote and apply online if you wish.

Health & Dental Quote

10 Reasons Why Canadians Need Extended Health Insurance

April 25, 2020/0 Comments/in Canadian Health Tips, Health Insurance /by David Tompkins

Learn Why Canadian Residents Should Buy Extended Health Insurance

As you may know, each province in Canada offers it’s residents access to universal healthcare coverage for little or no cost as the plans are funded by provincial income &/or payroll taxes. Each province provides a wide variety of comprehensive coverage for all permanent residents and citizens of Canada who meet their respective eligibility requirements. The Canadian provincial medical plans provide access to doctors, specialists, scans and x-rays, mental health care, hospitals and outpatient exams and procedures. We will provide a more detailed discussion of what most provincial plans cover, but for this article, we will provide 10 reasons why Canadians should buy an extended healthcare plan:

1. The Provinces Don’t Cover All Health Expenses

While provincial governments have to abide by the Canadian Health Act and provide reasonable access to health services without charge, there are still a lot of health services that are not covered. Most provinces in Canada will provide limited or no prescription drug coverage, physio, private hospital rooms and much more.

2. You are Not Covered by Your Employer-based Extended Health Plan

Many employers in Canada will provide their employees access to their group insurance plan, which will provide a variety of insurance, including extended healthcare and dental. If you are retired, a student, self-employed, a contractor or your employer simply doesn’t provide a health plan, you should make sure you cover the health expenses not covered by the provincial government.

3. You Have Retired From Work

When it comes time for retirement, it is highly probable that your health benefits from work will discontinue, unless you work for the government or a company with a retirement benefit plan, which is becoming very rare. As you know, with age comes deteriorating health, and the need for health insurance is even more important than when you were younger. The LINK plan from Green Shield is a great choice if you are losing your group benefits plan in Canada.

4. Prescription Drug Costs in Canada can be Very Costly

You may think that because we live in Canada, prescription costs are low – they are compared to the USA, but drug costs can still be very expensive in Canada. Biologic drugs, for example, which are becoming very common, can easily run into the tens of thousands per year.

5. You Travel Often Outside of Canada

Provinces in Canada will either provide no coverage to people travelling outside of Canada or next to no coverage. If you travel to the USA or elsewhere in the world, an emergency illness or injury can cost many hundreds of thousands. The press is full of news articles about Canadians who have travelled abroad and have incurred huge expenses not covered by their respective principal plans. While you can buy travel medical insurance through this website, many private health insurance plans for Canadians will include some multi-trip travel medical for emergency medical expenses outside your home province.

6. Vision Care and Prescription Eyewear Expenses Add-up

Yes, your provincial government will not cover vision exams and glasses, contacts and other vision correction devices. That is why many Canadians will buy an extended health insurance plan to cover at least some of these costs.

7. You Have Become a Contractor or Self-Employed

Many Canadians are taking advantage of the freedom of working for themselves as a contractor or self-employed worker. This can come with some significant tax benefits, but often means that you are now responsible for your own extended healthcare.

8. You Have Lost your Job

Unfortunately, in times of economic disruption, a lot of Canadians are losing their jobs either temporarily or permanently. While your employer might provide some continuation of health insurance, this may not last longer than a few months and medical expenses can really add up. So it makes sense to get an individual health plan to cover you and your family.

9. Protects You from Financial Ruin

As noted above, healthcare costs not covered by provincial medical plans can really add up in Canada. In order to protect your financial future, it makes sense to have some extended health insurance in place to cover unexpected costs. While you may be healthy now, that can change in an instant.

10. Peace of Mind

Yes, having health insurance in Canada can provide you with a lot of peace of mind. This can help make you feel less stressed as well.

So, if you want to get some extended health insurance coverage in Canada in effect, obtain a quote today and put your mind at ease. If you have any questions on the coverage, please contact us to learn more.