Is AMA health insurance worth it? Review 2024
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AMA health insurance is provided by the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) in partnership with renowned companies like Manulife. While the AMA itself does not offer its own health insurance, it gives its members access to a diverse range of health insurance options.
But is it the right choice for you? Read on to find out what AMA health insurance covers, what it doesn't, the pros, cons, and premiums.
Once you know what AMA offers, you can compare it with other health and dental insurance plans in Canada and get free quotes using our comparator to decide if it's the right choice for you or if there's another plan that suits you better.
AMA Health Insurance: 5 Key Takeaways
- AMA Health Insurance offers a wide range of health and dental insurance plans.
- It has partnerships with reputable companies like Manulife, catering to diverse needs.
- Its plans include coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and extended health services.
- There are some exclusions related to specific drug categories and vision care limitations.
- Premiums range from $88.30 to $185.75 per month, depending on the selected coverage combination.
Our 2024 review of AMA health insurance
As mentioned before, the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) does not offer its own health insurance plans. However, it partners with Manulife Health Insurance, a reputed name that offers comprehensive coverage, to provide diverse health insurance options.
With comprehensive coverage that includes prescription drugs and dental care, it provides valuable options for individuals seeking competitive pricing and a convenient enrollment process.
This insurance suits those looking for flexibility in coverage and personalized advice from AMA Insurance Life & Health Advisors. However, it may not be the ideal choice for individuals seeking coverage for experimental treatments or with specific drug requirements.
We recommend that you compare AMA with other health insurance plans in Canada to find a plan that truly suits you. You can do that right here using our comparator below to compare plans and get free quotes in no time.
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Here are some of the pros and cons of getting AMA health insurance:
Pros of AMA health insurance
- Access to a variety of health insurance plans from different insurance companies
- Competitive rates
- Personalized advice from AMA Insurance Life & Health Advisors
- Convenient enrollment process
- 30-day money-back policy
Cons of AMA health insurance
- May not cover certain medical expenses such as experimental treatments
- Exclusions for certain drugs, vision care limitations, and other services
- Understanding the full scope of coverage can be complex
- No direct AMA health insurance plans
Good to know
It is important to note that you must be covered by your provincial healthcare like Alberta Health Care before getting a private health insurance plan in Canada.
How much does AMA health insurance cost?
The cost of AMA health insurance will vary depending on a number of factors, including your age, location, health status, and the type of health insurance plan you choose. However, AMA Insurance plans are generally known for being competitive and affordable.
Here’s how much a 27-year-old male living in Alberta can expect to pay for the Basic Extended Health Care + Drug 1 + Dental 1 plan:
Cost of plan per month for Primary Applicant for Extended Health Care + Drug 1 + Dental 1: $88.30 per month. This plan helps cover the cost of eligible prescription drugs, including:
- 70% of expenses for generic drugs
- $6.50/prescription for dispensing fees
It also helps cover your eligible out-of-pocket dental costs, including:
- Maximum per year: Year 1: $450, year 2: $550, year 3+: $700
- 70% of expenses for basic services
Similarly, the monthly premium for Extended Health Care + Drug 3 + Dental 3 would be $185.75. For Extended Health Care + Drug 3 + Dental 2, you will pay $159.25 per month. And for Extended Health Care + Drug 3 + Dental 2, you will pay $148.15 per month.
Drug 1, Drug 2, and Drug 3 are further explained in the following sections.
| Plan combo | Monthly premium |
|---|---|
| Extended Health Care + Drug 1 + Dental 1 | $88.30 |
| Extended Health Care + Drug 3 + Dental 3 | $185.75 |
| Extended Health Care + Drug 3 + Dental 2 | $159.25 |
| Extended Health Care + Drug 3 + Dental 2 | $148.15 |
We recommend that you compare AMA premiums with other providers to find a plan that's most economical and gives you the coverage you need. You can do it right here using our comparator below which lets you compare plans and get free quotes in no time.
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What are the different AMA health insurance plans?
AMA health insurance plans are offered in partnership with Manulife — AMA-Manulife health insurance. You get comprehensive coverage for your health and dental needs. The coverage for those under 65 years might vary from those over 65. Let’s see what these different plans (for under (65) are and what they offer.
Health Care Plans
Standard Extended Health Coverage: A fundamental support system for your health and dental requirements, encompassing:
- Basic vision insurance
- Coverage of up to $400 per year for registered specialists and therapists, such as massage therapists and chiropractors
- Akira by TELUS Health
Advanced Extended Health Coverage: Available exclusively with Drug Plan 3 (we will discuss this shortly), this is Manulife’s most extensive healthcare package, offering:
- Enhanced vision insurance as part of the package
- Coverage of up to $850 per year for registered specialists and therapists, including massage therapists and chiropractors
- Inclusive hospital coverage
- Akira by TELUS Health
Drug Plans (Optional)
Drug 1: Assists in covering the expenses of eligible prescription medications, which include:
- 70% coverage for generic drugs
- Dispensing fees at $6.50 per prescription
Drug 2: Assists in covering the expenses of eligible prescription medications, which include:
- 75% coverage for generic drugs
- Full coverage of reasonable and customary dispensing fees
- Requires a medical questionnaire
Drug 3: Assists in covering the expenses of eligible prescription medications, which include:
- 90% coverage for brand-name or generic drugs
- Full coverage of reasonable and customary dispensing fees
- Includes Enhanced Extended Health Care
- Requires a medical questionnaire
Dental Plans (Optional)
Dental insurance is offered as an optional add-on. Some of these might have a waiting period, so it's best to consider your policy document thoroughly. There are also a few no-waiting period dental insurance options available in Canada.
Dental 1: Aids in offsetting your eligible out-of-pocket dental expenses, covering:
- Maximum per year:
- Year 1: $450
- Year 2: $550
- Year 3+: $700
- 70% of the costs for basic services
Dental 2: Aids in offsetting your eligible out-of-pocket dental expenses, covering:
- Combined maximum per year:
- Year 1: $650
- Year 2: $700
- Year 3+: $900
- 80% of the costs for basic services
- 60% of the costs for specialized procedures
Dental 3: Aids in offsetting your eligible out-of-pocket dental expenses, covering:
- Combined maximum per year:
- Year 1: $800
- Year 2: $900
- Year 3+: $1,200
- Up to 100% of the costs for basic services
- Up to 80% of the costs for specialized procedures
- 60% of the costs, up to a maximum of $750 every 3 years, also limited to the combined anniversary year maximum for major restorative (Year 2+)
What’s excluded from AMA health insurance?
We just discussed the different types of health insurance plans offered by the AMA and their coverage levels. Let’s not take a look at what’s not covered.
Extended Health Coverage Exclusions
- Vision care excludes industrial safety glasses.
- Benefits become payable only after reaching the yearly maximum allowed under your government health insurance plan, if applicable.
- Treatment must be sought within the 90-day period following the accident.
Good to know
Registered health professionals include Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Certified Home Support Workers, and Occupational Therapists.
Drug Coverage Exclusions
- For Drug 1 & 2: Excludes smoking cessation drugs, erectile dysfunction drugs, over-the-counter drugs, birth control drugs, and drugs not requiring a prescription.
- For Drug 1 & 2: Not all drugs have generic equivalents. If a non-generic drug is purchased, payment will be based on the lowest generic drug cost equivalent, if applicable. If no generic brand exists, payment at the co-payment level of your plan can be made for the brand-name price.
- Drug 3 includes coverage for birth control. Smoking cessation drugs, over-the-counter drugs, erectile dysfunction drugs, and drugs not requiring a prescription are not covered.
Dental Coverage Exclusions
While premium dentures and crowns qualify for reimbursement, the reimbursement amount will be based on the cost of standard dentures and crowns.
If you would like to look at private health and dental insurance plans with comprehensive drug and dental coverage, you can do it right here using our comparator below. You can compare plans and get free health insurance quotes in a few seconds.
Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans and Rates on the market!
Who’s eligible for AMA Manulife health insurance?
To qualify for coverage under this policy, you must satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Possess coverage under your government health insurance plan like the AHCIP, Ontario Health Insurance Plan, etc.
- Reside in Canada within any province or territory, except Quebec.
- Attain a minimum age of 18 at the time of application for this policy, except for dependent children of a policyholder.
If, for any reason, the coverage you've purchased to safeguard yourself and your loved ones doesn't meet your requirements, you can easily request a refund within 30 days of receiving your policy. All premiums paid for the coverage will be promptly refunded.
What is AMA travel health insurance?
AMA travel health insurance is a type of insurance that covers medical and other expenses incurred while traveling outside of Canada. It is important to have travel health insurance because your provincial health insurance plan like MSP in BC, or AHCIP, may not cover you outside of Canada.
AMA health insurance travel plans offer a variety of coverage options, including:
- Emergency medical and dental treatment
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Baggage loss, damage, and delay
- Medical evacuation
- Accidental death and dismemberment
Good to know
Who offers AMA health insurance for physicians?
AMA health insurance for physicians is a suite of insurance products that are designed to meet the unique needs of physicians and their families. These products are offered through AMA Insurance, a subsidiary of the American Medical Association.
How to contact AMA private health insurance?
AMA has many modes of communication for policyholders. You can use the following numbers to call them:
- General inquiries: 1-800-615-5897
- Claims (24 hours): 1-888-426-2444
You can also drop by any of AMA’s 17 centers located throughout Alberta to get assistance with membership inquiries, registry services, AMA Insurance queries, and travel advice from their certified travel experts.
