Desjardins Health and Dental Insurance Review (Updated 2023)
Did you know that more than 30% of medical expenses in Canada are not covered by provincial healthcare? That means they need to be paid for out of your pocket or by a private healthcare plan. Would you be able to pay for a hospital stay or complex dental work out of your savings? If not, it might be worth investigating which private health insurance is the best value for money.
In this review we will lay out the advantages and disadvantages of owning a Desjardins health insurance policy, we take you through what it covers, what add-ons there are and how to apply for Desjardins health insurance.
For example
Desjardins: the basics
- Founded in 1900
- 53,000+ employees
- More than 7 million clients
- Headquartered in Levis
- 215 offices across Canada
Our Desjardins health insurance review: the most inclusive choice
Desjardins is a leading provider of insurance in Canada. Their health insurance can be bundled with other insurance policies in order to save money. Compared to competitors, Desjardins premiums are slightly higher however they offer a wider range of coverages. That said, in some ways the company is behind some of its competitors as it does not offer the ability to sign up for a policy online.
Pros
- Dental, medical, vision and travel insurance included in the standard plan
- Online health platform and 24/7 telephones assistance
- High maximum coverage limits
- Enhanced hospital care
Cons
- A policy can only be issued on the 1st or 15th of the month
- Some Desjardins reviews critique the lack of online sign-up
- Plans not available after 70 years old
Before signing up for a health insurance plan with Desjardins, compare rates and coverage offerings from the best health and dental plans using our comparison tool.
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What is the cost of Desjardins health insurance?
Young non-smokers should expect to pay around $100 - $150 for their monthly premiums. Desjardins does not offer quotes online so the only way to find out how much they would charge you is to speak with one of their representatives. Desjardins is slightly old-fashioned in the way and continues to insure all of its clients through brokers.
Desjardins will offer you a personalized quote based on your age, lifestyle, health history and a number of other factors. Your premium will be based on your specific profile and needs. A number of factors will determine your Desjardins health insurance rates, including:
- age
- gender
- optional extras
- the number of lives on your plan (individual, family, etc.)
- smoker status
- lifestyle
Interested in getting a quote online from other leading health insurance provers before calling a representative?
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What does Desjardins health insurance cover?
Desjardins covers medical expenses that are not covered by your provincial healthcare. Take a look at the table below to see some of Desjardins coverage levels.
Below we have laid out the amounts of coverage based on the level of health insurance plan:
Treatment | HealthPlus Basic | HealthPlus Enhanced |
---|---|---|
Prescription Drugs | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Ambulance | $2,000 | $4,000 |
Hearing Aids | $300 | $500 |
Semi-Private Hospital Room | No Coverage | 100% |
X-rays | $500 | $700 |
Psychologist | $400 | $500 per year |
A full list of coverage levels can be found in the documentation below.
Desjardins also offers 24/7 phone contact with a medical professional, complimentary travel advice and the right to a second medical opinion all included in all their health insurance packages.
Watch out!
Desjardins only offers health insurance to Canadian residents and those aged 64 or less.
What types of health insurance does Desjardins offer?
Desjardins has two different health modules for you to choose from depending on your health needs:
- Health Plus Basic Plan
- Health Plus Enhanced Plan
The Basic Plan offers medical and paramedical services, vision and travel insurance. The Enhanced plan offers the same benefits plus higher reimbursement amounts and hospitalization benefits.
Treatment | Health Plus Basic Plan | Health Plus Enhanced Plan |
---|---|---|
Maximum | $250,000 for the coverage period | $350,000 for the coverage period |
Hospitalization | 100% for semi-private | |
Vision |
|
|
Travel Insurance | $5,000,000 per 90 days per year | $5,000,000 per 90 days per year |
Interested in seeing how this compares to other leading insurance providers?
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What extras does Desjardins health insurance offer?
Desjardins offers addition drug preciptions coverages. If you choose to purchase this as an add-on you will pay higher monthly premiums but a higher percentage of prescription costs will be covered.
Desjardins also offers optional dental insurance coverage which you can add on to your health insurance. Take a look at the section below for more details.
What does Desjardins dental insurance cover?
Desjardins allows you to add dental insurance to either your Basic or Enhanced Plan. This will cover accidental dental damage and part of routine check-ups. The more comprehensive plan will also cover major dental reconstructions and surgeries.
While Canada’s public system covers lots of healthcare needs, access to dental care is not included. Dental care is important to one’s overall health. Since it can be a major expense, too many people skip preventive treatment. That is a mistake, as regular preventive care helps prevent gum disease, which is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it can help you to detect other medical complications early.
Desjardins Basic dental maintenance plan will include preventative services such as:
- Exams
- Cleaning
- X-rays
- Fillings
The Enhanced Plan will cover things such as extractions and root canals whereas the Basic plan will not. It will also cover:
- Periodontal Services
- Major dental
- Orthodontics (braces)
Treatment | Basic | Enhanced |
---|---|---|
Preventative | 80% reimbursement per cleaning every 9 months | 100% reimbursement per cleaning every 6 months |
Basic Care | 50% reimbursement | 100% reimbursement |
Major Care | 100% reimbursement | |
Orthodontic Care | 60% reimbursement |
How to get Desjardins health insurance?
You cannot buy a Desjardins health insurance policy online. You will need to make an appointment to speak to a Desjardins representative to discuss your situation and specific needs.
You can either book an appointment online through the Desjardins website or by calling a representative directly at 1-866-838-7553.
Desjardins health insurance login

In order to access your personal insurance account hit the Log On button at the top right of the website. You can then use your Desjardins health insurance login details to access your profile where you can manage your claims and see any upcoming payments.
Desjardins health insurance customer service
You can call the Desjardins health insurance contact number to speak to a representative directly at 1-888-558-5525 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Can you make a Desjardins health insurance claim online?
You are not able to make a health insurance claim online currently with Desjardins.
If you need to make a claim, you can download the Desjardins health insurance claims form below, fill it out and send it to Desjardins Insurance, C. P. 3950, Lévis (Québec) G6V 8C6.
How to cancel Desjardins health insurance?
In order to cancel your Desjardins health insurance you will need to speak directly with the broker you bought the policy through. If you have lost the details then you will be able to find them by logging in to your Desjardins insurance accounts by following the steps above.
Can I get Desjardins travel health insurance?
You will have to check your specific plan to know if travel insurance is included. Travel insurance is a wise investment because provincial health insurance plans cover less once you are out of your home province. This means expenses can quickly escalate out of control if you become unwell or suffer an accident while travelling. If you are travelling abroad then you may not have any access to any health care services at all without having an insurance plan in place. In some countries, such as the USA, you will have to pay upfront for any medical treatment that you need.
if you are not already protected, you can either purchase a travel add-on to your health insurance policy or buy Desjardins travel insurance as a separate insurance policy.
What are the best alternatives to Desjardins health insurance?
In order to help you compare health insurance deals, we have included a quick summary of competitors below.
Our Blue Cross health insurance review: the most flexible choice
Blue Cross offers several plans that can include health benefits, drug, and dental coverage for you to choose from depending on what your health insurance needs are. Blue Cross provides an easy-access online portal which includes easy access to your benefit information and allows you to submit a claim online. Their plans allow for the optional add-ons of services such as critical illness coverage and hospital expenses.
Blue Cross private health insurance is intended for people who do not have access to a private group insurance plan, or if they would like additional benefits not offered by their employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage such as dental or medication-only coverage. For freelancers, there is the Blue Cross health insurance self-employed package. Blue Cross student health insurance is an affordable package for those in higher education or those who have recently graduated.
Pros
- Named Canada's most respected health insurance company in 2022 by the Most Respected Award Program
- Connected Care digital health platform
- Self-service options
- Submit claims online or via the app
- Mix and match plans as needed
Cons
- Some Blue Cross Canada health insurance reviews have criticized the customer service
- Dental coverage is limited
- Only available to Canadian citizens
Our CAA health insurance review: the best bundling discounts
The CAA, or the Canadian Automobile Associate, was founded more than 115 years ago. It is one of the largest not-for-profit automobile associations in Canada. It has been helping Canadians with a wide variety of products related to automobile services, but also offers insurance packages, including private health insurance. CAA health insurance has partnered with Manulife for over 20 years, allowing them to offer pre-packaged plans mix and match plans tailored to your specific health needs.
They have a 30-day guarantee where if you are not satisfied with the coverage you purchased, you may request a refund within 30 days of receiving your policy. CAA health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like to mix and match prescription and dental coverage. Note that you must have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage to apply for personal health insurance
Pros
- Ability to mix and match plans
- Discounts are available when you bundle health and dental
Cons
- No online claims submission
- Some CAA health insurance reviews have cited long wait times for dental treatment
Our Canada Life health insurance review: the best guaranteed policies
Canada Life offers a variety of levels of health insurance, all with differing levels of coverage which are designed to suit your needs, including prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and more.
They have comprehensive optional add-ons for you to further personalize your health plan. They also offer a ten-day look-and-see period. You can cancel your policy with no penalty during the first ten days.
Canada Life health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage. Note that you must have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage to apply for personal health insurance.
Pros
- Multiple plans that offer guaranteed acceptance
- Quick and easy online quote and application
- Comprehensive optional coverage add-ons
Cons
- Travel medical insurance is not automatically included in their plans (it is an optional add-on)
- Some Canada Life health insurance reviews have noted long callback times
Our GMS health insurance review: the best online option
GMS health insurance offers plans ranging from basic coverage to comprehensive, all of which have the option to add dental benefits and/or drug benefits. With GMS, you will be able to tailor a plan to fit your health needs.
They have a comprehensive online portal, My GMS, which allows for easy access to your benefit information and the ability to submit a claim online. Their travel insurance for certain plans automatically adds COVID treatment coverage.
GMS health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, starting your own business, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage.
Pros
- My GMS portal access
- Submit a claim online or via the app
- Counselling and speech therapy is covered in some plans
Cons
- Some GMS health insurance reviews have criticized the limited dental plan
- Some GMS health insurance coverage reviews have noted that hospital benefits are not automatically included
- Vision and travellers insurance are not included in the Basic plan
Make sure you find the right health insurance for you.
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Canada's best health insurance plans
My wife has medical at work but her insurance has went up high rate. She has asure insurance with her company basic prescriptions,,eye care, dental ,
Would like a quote to get our own .
She is 59 years old husband 61 years old.
Hello Nelson,
I invite you to use our private health insurance free comparison tool. Simply enter your criteria and we will provide you with a quote.