Canada Life Health Insurance: Our 2025 Review
Our expert's review of Canada Life
ScoreCanada Life offers a range of health insurance options, notably the Freedom to Choose™ - Guaranteed Elite and the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP), appealing to both individuals and federal employees.
The Freedom to Choose™ plan features high annual maximums ($50,000), strong reimbursement rates for routine healthcare (up to 100%), and solid dental (85% routine, 50% major) and vision care coverage.
The PSHCP delivers comprehensive paramedical and gender-affirming care—$75,000 lifetime limit—alongside strong emergency travel and hospital coverage (up to $1,000,000 CAD/trip). Relative to competitors like Manulife and Blue Cross, its coverage mix is competitive, but customer service lags behind, and administration is often cited as problematic.
Canada Life suits federal employees, retirees and those seeking broad health and travel benefits but less so for those prioritizing fast claims and seamless service. Canada Life is a flagship Canadian insurer with substantial market share, though its Trustpilot rating is low at 1.5/5 (56 reviews), mainly due to delays in claims processing, administrative issues, and inconsistent communication. Observed claim turnaround is variable, with strong negative sentiment regarding speed and resolution.
- ✅High healthcare coverage maximums ($50,000/year)
- ✅Strong reimbursement rates (up to 100%) for many benefits
- ✅Comprehensive paramedical and specialist coverage
- ✅Emergency travel coverage up to $1,000,000 per trip
- ✅Gender-affirming care coverage ($75,000 lifetime)
- ✅Wide range of covered health services
- ✅Solid coverage for vision and major dental needs
- ❌Very low customer satisfaction rating (1.5/5 Trustpilot)
- ❌Frequent delays and difficulties in claim processing
- ❌Frustrating and inconsistent customer service
- ❌Technical and administrative platform issues
- ❌Routine dental coverage not included in all plans
Score- ✅High healthcare coverage maximums ($50,000/year)
- ✅Strong reimbursement rates (up to 100%) for many benefits
- ✅Comprehensive paramedical and specialist coverage
- ✅Emergency travel coverage up to $1,000,000 per trip
- ✅Gender-affirming care coverage ($75,000 lifetime)
- ✅Wide range of covered health services
- ✅Solid coverage for vision and major dental needs
Our expert's review of Canada Life
- ✅High healthcare coverage maximums ($50,000/year)
- ✅Strong reimbursement rates (up to 100%) for many benefits
- ✅Comprehensive paramedical and specialist coverage
- ✅Emergency travel coverage up to $1,000,000 per trip
- ✅Gender-affirming care coverage ($75,000 lifetime)
- ✅Wide range of covered health services
- ✅Solid coverage for vision and major dental needs
- ❌Very low customer satisfaction rating (1.5/5 Trustpilot)
- ❌Frequent delays and difficulties in claim processing
- ❌Frustrating and inconsistent customer service
- ❌Technical and administrative platform issues
- ❌Routine dental coverage not included in all plans
Score- ✅High healthcare coverage maximums ($50,000/year)
- ✅Strong reimbursement rates (up to 100%) for many benefits
- ✅Comprehensive paramedical and specialist coverage
- ✅Emergency travel coverage up to $1,000,000 per trip
- ✅Gender-affirming care coverage ($75,000 lifetime)
- ✅Wide range of covered health services
- ✅Solid coverage for vision and major dental needs
Why trust HelloSafe?
HelloSafe is an international health insurance expert, helping over a million users every month make the right coverage choices. Our specialists have evaluated offers from 48 insurers in Canada, performing an in-depth analysis of their coverage, pricing, and service quality.
What does Canada Life health insurance cover?
Canada Life offers a range of health insurance options, including Freedom to Choose – Guaranteed Elite and the PSHCP, each with varying reimbursement levels from 80% to 100% depending on the service. Notable strengths include high annual benefit caps, strong coverage for prescriptions and paramedical care, and preventive services. However, routine dental and some advanced healthcare needs may be less covered or excluded, especially under the PSHCP. Canada Life stands out for its flexibility and comprehensive major health guarantees, but falls short on claim turnaround time and customer experience, based on user feedback. Exclusions are common and align with industry norms.
Routine medical care
| Benefits | Freedom to Choose – Guaranteed Elite | PSHCP – Supplementary Coverage | PSHCP – Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription meds | 90% Deductible: none Max: $2,400/year | 80% Deductible: none Out-of-pocket max: $3,500, then 100% | 100% Deductible: none Out-of-pocket max: $3,500, then 100% |
| Hospitalization | 100% Private room difference up to $250/day Max: 90 days | 100% Standard: $90/day Level II: $170/day Level III: $250/day Unlimited days | 100% Comprehensive care provision Unlimited days |
| Ambulance transport | 100% Ambulance covered, standard local rates | 80% Max: determined by reasonable and customary cost per event | 100% Max: determined by reasonable and customary cost per event |
| Homecare | 100% In-home nursing: max $4,000/year | 80% In-home nursing: $3,000/year | 100% In-home nursing: $3,000/year |
| Lab analysis | not covered | by default | by default |
Deductible: none
Max: $2,400/year
Deductible: none
Out-of-pocket max: $3,500, then 100%
Deductible: none
Out-of-pocket max: $3,500, then 100%
Private room difference up to $250/day
Max: 90 days
Standard: $90/day
Level II: $170/day
Level III: $250/day
Unlimited days
Comprehensive care provision
Unlimited days
Ambulance covered, standard local rates
Max: determined by reasonable and customary cost per event
Max: determined by reasonable and customary cost per event
In-home nursing: max $4,000/year
In-home nursing: $3,000/year
In-home nursing: $3,000/year
Dental care
| Benefits | Freedom to Choose – Guaranteed Elite | PSHCP – Supplementary Coverage | PSHCP – Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preventive and routine dental care | 85% reimbursement $1,000/year max | not covered | not covered |
| Basic dental care | 85% reimbursement $1,000/year max | not covered | not covered |
| Major dental care | 50% reimbursement $1,000/year max | not covered | not covered |
| Orthodontics | not covered except accident with 100% up to annual max | not covered | not covered |
$1,000/year max
$1,000/year max
$1,000/year max
up to annual max
Vision care
| Benefits | Freedom to Choose – Guaranteed Elite | PSHCP – Supplementary Coverage | PSHCP – Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyeglasses, contact lenses, surgery | 100% reimbursement $275 max every 2 years | 100% reimbursement $400 max every 2 years Laser: $2,000 lifetime | 100% reimbursement $400 max every 2 years Laser: $2,000 lifetime |
| Optometrist consultation | 100% reimbursement 1 exam every 2 years | 100% reimbursement 1 exam every 2 years | 100% reimbursement 1 exam every 2 years |
$275 max every 2 years
$400 max every 2 years
Laser: $2,000 lifetime
$400 max every 2 years
Laser: $2,000 lifetime
1 exam every 2 years
1 exam every 2 years
1 exam every 2 years
Specialized and paramedical care
| Benefits | Freedom to Choose – Guaranteed Elite | PSHCP – Supplementary Coverage | PSHCP – Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative medicine | $400/year per practitioner 100% reimbursement | $500/year per practitioner 80% reimbursement | $500/year per practitioner 100% reimbursement |
| Psychologist | $400/year 100% reimbursement | $5,000/year 80% reimbursement | $5,000/year 100% reimbursement |
| Speech therapy | $400/year 100% reimbursement | $750/year 80% reimbursement | $750/year 100% reimbursement |
| Travel insurance | Option, no details in base plan | $1,000,000/trip 100%/emergency medical max 40 days | Unlimited, comprehensive emergency/medical worldwide |
100% reimbursement
80% reimbursement
100% reimbursement
100% reimbursement
80% reimbursement
100% reimbursement
100% reimbursement
80% reimbursement
100% reimbursement
100%/emergency medical
max 40 days
What is the cost of Canada Life health insurance in 2025?
Here is the cost of health insurance for Canada Life:
| Type of protection (household composition) | Freedom to Choose – Guaranteed Elite | PSHCP – Supplementary Coverage | PSHCP – Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (1 insured) | About $65/month | About $35/month | About $55/month |
| Couple (2 insured) | About $130/month | About $70/month | About $110/month |
| Single parent family (1 adult + 2 children) | About $110/month | About $60/month | About $95/month |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | About $165/month | About $90/month | About $140/month |
*These rates are indicative only. Actual premiums may vary according to your situation and the options you choose*.
Compare the best health insurance offers for freeDiscover offersCanada Life promo codes
| Codes promos Canada Life | Details |
|---|---|
| Code promo HelloSafe | -5% via our comparator |
Note: les codes promos sont susceptibles de changer. Pour obtenir les derniers codes promos, rendez-vous sur notre comparatif des meilleures assurances santé.
Is Canada Life health insurance available to newcomers?
Canada Life offers health coverage suitable for newcomers, including temporary workers, international students, expatriates, and visitors staying in Canada. This insurance is especially helpful during the waiting period before joining the public health system or when certain healthcare costs are not covered by provincial plans.
- Medical care: Covers medical consultations and visits to general practitioners or specialists. For example, consultations and primary treatments are generally reimbursed up to 100% within annual plan limits.
- Prescribed care: Covers the cost of prescription drugs, medical supplies, and injectable treatments. For instance, prescription drugs may be reimbursed up to $2,400 per person per year, with coverage ranging from 80% to 100% depending on the formula.
- Specialized care: Includes access to paramedical specialists such as physiotherapists, psychologists, or chiropractors. Annual maximums may apply (e.g., $400 to $5,000 per year depending on the specialty and plan).
- Emergency dental care: Coverage provided for accidental injury to natural teeth and some urgent dental procedures. Routine dental care is not included for newcomers, but injury-related treatment is reimbursed up to annual or per-incident limits.
- Medical transport: Covers ambulance, emergency transportation, and (when applicable) repatriation to the home country in case of a serious medical issue. Ambulance transportation is usually covered in full when medically necessary.
- Additional expenses (hospitalization or death): Includes hospitalization fees (such as private room charges up to $250 per day), and may also cover costs related to death, such as return of the body to the home country.
The duration of enrollment can vary by plan, but coverage is typically available for stays from a few months up to several years. Some options may include temporary emergency travel coverage for trips outside Canada (often up to 40 days per trip, $1 million maximum).
Eligibility criteria often include minimum and maximum age limits (e.g., adults from 18 to 65 years, sometimes adjust depending on formula), proof of temporary resident status or visa, and a minimum length of stay. Non-residents, students, and temporary workers are generally eligible, but it is important to verify each contract's specific terms.
Waiting Periods, Coverage, and Exclusions
Some plans require a waiting period before certain benefits (especially dental or major medical) are available. Coverage and reimbursement levels vary by plan and personal situation. Always check exclusions and policy details carefully before enrollment.
Does Canada Life health insurance cover seniors?
This offer is designed for retirees and seniors who are ending their group health insurance, for example after leaving an employer.
With Canada Life, it is possible to convert your group insurance into individual coverage without needing to fill out a medical questionnaire.
Requests must be made within a specific timeframe (usually within 60 days of the end of your group coverage) to maintain continuity of insurance.
How does reimbursement work with Canada Life?
| Feature | Availability | Expert opinion |
|---|---|---|
| Online claims submission | ✅ | You can file claims easily from your personal space for faster processing and less paperwork. |
| App | ✅ | Mobile app lets you access insurance info and submit claims while on the go. |
| Customer area for reimbursement tracking | ✅ | Your customer account allows you to check payment status and see claim history anytime. |
| Reimbursement simulator | ❌ | No online tool available to estimate your refund before care, so anticipate based on policy. |
| Reimbursement time | 48h–5 days | Refunds are processed within a few days if files are complete and submitted electronically. |
| Add/remove members at no charge | ❌ | Adding or removing insured persons may require fees or administrative steps with customer care. |
| Phone assistance with a health provider | ❌ | No direct access to a nurse or doctor by phone for routine questions within standard packages. |
| Second medical opinion | ❌ | Getting another expert's opinion after diagnosis is not offered on a systematic basis. |
| 24/7 travel assistance | ✅ | Emergency support is available worldwide at any time in case of a medical issue while abroad. |
Customer reviews on Canada Life health insurance
| Review site | Rating and number of reviews |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 1.5/5 ("Bad") – 56 reviews |
Clients of Canada Life highlight the following pros and cons:
✅ A claim was processed in just two days, which is considered very quick for this industry.
❌ A majority of customers mention very long processing times for claims, often without clear explanations.
❌ Many users report frequent claim denials that are difficult to contest.
❌ Customer service is described as rude, unhelpful, and not providing consistent information.
❌ The online portal and account management tools experience frequent technical difficulties and errors.
❌ Several customers find the coverage too limited considering the cost and note regular health premium increases despite denied claims.
❌ Accessing previous claims history online is often reported as complicated or impossible.
Here are some of the reviews left online:
- "Super fast claim processing, my claim was submitted and approved in only two days, which I really appreciated.", V. Harper, April 18, 2024, Trustpilot.
- "I have faced months of delays and unanswered emails about my claim, plus the support team was rude every time I called.", K. Schmidt, January 12, 2024, Trustpilot.
How to contact Canada Life health insurance?
| Contact reason | Contact Canada Life |
|---|---|
| 🧾 For a health insurance quote | Call 1-888-252-1847, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; select options for individual health insurance |
| 🧾 For a proof of insurance | Contact the Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; ask for an insurance certificate |
| 🩺 For medical assistance | Call Emergency Medical Assistance at 1-833-774-2700 (24/7); use for emergencies during travel or serious health situations |
| 🔍 To report an incident or track reimbursement | Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; choose claims and reimbursement services |
FAQ
Who can subscribe to Canada Life health insurance?
You can subscribe to Canada Life health insurance through the official Canada Life website. Before making a decision, it is advisable to compare the different offers online using our health insurance comparison tool to find the plan that fits your needs.
Are there any age requirements with Canada Life?
Canada Life generally requires policyholders to be at least 18 years old to apply. Some plans may have a maximum entry age or specific limits for seniors, so check the conditions for your chosen plan before applying.
Can you add or remove insured members at Canada Life?
You can add or remove dependents like a spouse or children to your contract with Canada Life, typically during renewal or following a major life event that qualifies for changes.
Does Canada Life health insurance cover prescription drugs?
Yes, most Canada Life plans include prescription drug coverage, but reimbursement limits and eligible medications may vary based on your plan. Check the policy details for annual caps and specific coverage.
How are claims submitted and processed with Canada Life?
You can submit claims online or by mail, and track their status via your Canada Life customer account. Processing times vary but are usually completed within a few business days if all documents are provided.
Are existing health conditions covered by Canada Life?
Pre-existing conditions may be subject to waiting periods, exclusions, or limited coverage, depending on the plan and situation. It is important to review your contract carefully and declare any known medical conditions when applying.
Who can subscribe to Canada Life health insurance?
You can subscribe to Canada Life health insurance through the official Canada Life website. Before making a decision, it is advisable to compare the different offers online using our health insurance comparison tool to find the plan that fits your needs.
Are there any age requirements with Canada Life?
Canada Life generally requires policyholders to be at least 18 years old to apply. Some plans may have a maximum entry age or specific limits for seniors, so check the conditions for your chosen plan before applying.
Can you add or remove insured members at Canada Life?
You can add or remove dependents like a spouse or children to your contract with Canada Life, typically during renewal or following a major life event that qualifies for changes.
Does Canada Life health insurance cover prescription drugs?
Yes, most Canada Life plans include prescription drug coverage, but reimbursement limits and eligible medications may vary based on your plan. Check the policy details for annual caps and specific coverage.
How are claims submitted and processed with Canada Life?
You can submit claims online or by mail, and track their status via your Canada Life customer account. Processing times vary but are usually completed within a few business days if all documents are provided.
Are existing health conditions covered by Canada Life?
Pre-existing conditions may be subject to waiting periods, exclusions, or limited coverage, depending on the plan and situation. It is important to review your contract carefully and declare any known medical conditions when applying.
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