Manulife Health Insurance Review (Updated 2023)
Did you know that private life and health insurers in Canada pay out around $100 billion a year in benefits? Health can be expensive and it's sensible to have some form of insurance in place to make sure you don't end up in a situation where costs are spiralling out of control.
In this review we will lay out the advantages and disadvantages of owning a GMS health insurance policy, we take you through what it covers, what add-ons there are and how to apply for Manulife personal health insurance.
For example
Manulife: the basics
- Founded in1887
- 34,000 employees
- 119,000 agents
- 33 million customers
- Manulife HQ is in Toronto
Our Manulife health insurance review: the most comprehensive options
Manulife offers many comprehensive health insurance plans - whether you are looking for dental benefits, drug benefits, or a combination, you will be able to find a plan that works for your health needs.
They have a comprehensive online portal offering easy access to your benefit information and to submit a claim online. All health and dental plans have the option to add Manulife Vitality which gives you the opportunity to earn rewards and save on how much you pay.
Manulife private 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 such as dental or medication-only coverage.
Pros
- Manulife Vitality rewards program
- Submit claims online or via the app
- Option to choose dental-only, medication-only, or a combination plan
- Option of having private or semi-private hospital room with all plans
Cons
- Some Manulife health insurance reviews note that hospital benefits are not automatically included
- Basic traveller’s insurance only covers the first 9 days of a trip
- No specific Manulife health insurance for retirees
Before signing up for a health insurance plan with Manulife, compare rates and coverage offerings from the best health and dental plans using our comparison tool.
Compare coverage and rates of
Canada's best health insurance plans
What is the cost of Manulife health insurance?
A 30-year-old woman living in Toronto opting for a CoverMe ComboPlus Basic Plan without dental could expect to pay $96.90 per month to Manulife health insurance Ontario.
Your premium will be determined by your individual circumstances. Manulife will use a number of factors to calculate your premium such as:
- age
- gender
- addition of optional benefits
- the number of lives on your plan (individual, family, etc.)
- smoker status
To make sure you are getting the best plan for the best price, you must first establish what you want from your health insurance policy. Take a look at the table below to see some of the variables affecting pricing.
Non-smoker, Ontario* | ComboPlus Starter Plan | ComboPlus Basic Plan |
---|---|---|
30-year-old man | $96.90 / month | $111.10 / month |
50-year-old man | $132.8 / month | $154.10 / month |
30-year-old woman | $96.90 / month | $111.10 / month |
50-year-old woman | $132.8 / month | $154.10 / month |
*this assumes that the purchaser is covered by the Ontario provincial health plan (OHIP)
To make sure you are getting the best plan for the best price, you must first establish what you want from your health insurance policy. The price of health insurance varies greatly between insurers. Your health history, age, the coverage options offered, your province, and more affect pricing.
Use our comparison tool to get personalized health insurance quotes, all anonymously.
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What does Manulife health insurance cover?
Manulife individual health insurance coverage pays for expenses that are not covered by your provincial healthcare. Some expenses that Manulife covers include:
Coverage | Explained |
---|---|
Prescription drugs | Covers the partial cost of prescription medicines |
Physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists | Covers the use of paramedical services |
Vision care | Partially covers the cost of eye healthcare and lenses |
Nursing and ambulance services | Covers transport to hospital and after-hospital care |
Therapeutic equipment (orthotics, prosthetics, etc.) | Covers the cost of medical equipment you may need |
Travel insurance | Covers healthcare costs while out of your province. |
Manulife also offers a mobile healthcare app that allows you to research drug plans, manage prescriptions and review your claims.
What types of health insurance does Manulife offer?
Manulife has seven tiers of plans designed to suit your specific needs:
- DrugPlus Basic
- DrugPlus Enhanced
- DentalPlus Basic
- DentalPlus Enhanced
- ComboPlus Starter
- ComboPlus Basic
- ComboPlus Enhanced
All plans come with varying degrees of vision coverage and $250,000 extended health care over a lifetime for registered specialists and therapists, orthotics, hearing aids, home care, medical equipment and more (after government health plan maximums are reached).
Hospital, additional vision care, travel and accidental death and dismemberment can be added to each plan.
Plan | ComboPlus Starter | ComboPlus Basic | ComboPlus Enhanced |
---|---|---|---|
Prescription Drugs | $525/Year | $5,000/Year | $10,000/Year |
Dental Care – Ongoing Maintenance | $400/Year | $750/Year | $920/Year |
Dental Care – Oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics | Year 1: 60% Year 2: 60% Year 3+: 80% | ||
Dental Care – Major restorative | Year 1: 0% Year 2+: 60% | ||
Vision Care | $150 every 2 Years | $250 every 2 Years | $250 every 2 Years |
Extended Health Care | $250,000 Lifetime | $250,000 Lifetime | $250,000 Lifetime |
Plan | DrugPlus Basic | DrugPlus Enhanced | DentalPlus Basic | DentalPlus Enhanced |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prescription Drugs | $5,000/Year | $5,000/Year | ||
Dental Care – Ongoing Maintenance | Year 1: $575 Year 2+: $750/ Year | Year 1: $840 Year 2+: $920/Year | ||
Dental Care – Oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics | Year 1: 0% Year 2: 60% Year 3+: 80% | |||
Dental Care – Major restorative | Year 1: 0% Year 2+: 60% | |||
Vision Care | $250 every 2 Years | $250 every 2 Years | $250 every 2 Years | $250 every 2 Years |
Extended Health Care | $250,000 Lifetime | $250,000 Lifetime | $250,000 Lifetime | $250,000 Lifetime |
For more information see this PDF of Manulife CoverMe health insurance
What extras does Manulife health insurance offer?
Manulife allows you to purchase extras to add to your health insurance in order to increase your coverage, either for more serious health problems, like accidental death and dismemberment insurance or for things that are usually excluded, like travel insurance.
Extra coverage | What it protects |
---|---|
Manulife Vitality | A rewards program |
Hospital | Provides cash to cover day-to-day hospital stay expenses |
Travel insurance | Protects you if you become ill or are injured while travelling |
Additional vision care | Increases the coverage limits for eye care |
Accidental death and dismemberment | Insures you in case of mutilation, amputation or death by accident |
Interested in seeing what extras other insurance providers offer?
Compare coverage and rates of
Canada's best health insurance plans
What does Manulife dental insurance cover?
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.
A supplemental dental insurance plan can help, here is what Manulife health and dental insurance offers.
Manulife offers two stand-alone dental plans and also offers dental benefits in all three combination plans; however, each plan will have differing benefits.
Ongoing dental maintenance found in all plans will include:
- Exams
- Diagnostics
- Preventative
- Select extractions
- Polishing
Services covered under Enhanced (not Basic or Starter plans) include:
- Spacer maintenance
- Denture repair
- Anesthesia
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Orthodontics (braces)
Dental Plan | Year one coverage | Year two and beyond |
---|---|---|
DentalPlus Basic | Year 1: 50% of first $1,150 (up to $575 every year) Check-ups every 9 months | Year 2+: 80% of first $400 and 50% of next $860 (up to $750 every year) Check-ups every 9 months |
DentalPlus Enhanced | Year 1: 70% of first $1,200 (up to $840 every year) Check-ups every 6 months | Year 2+: 100% of first $500 and 60% of next $700 (up to $920 every year) Check-ups every 6 months |
ComboPlus Starter | 70% of the first $575 (up to $400 every year) Check-ups every 9 months | 70% of the first $575 (up to $400 every year) Check-ups every 9 months |
ComboPlus Basic | 80% of first $400 and 50% of next $860 (up to $750 every year) Check-ups every 9 months | 80% of first $400 and 50% of next $860 (up to $750 every year) Check-ups every 9 months |
ComboPlus Enhanced | 100% of first $500 and 60% of next $700 (up to $920 every year) Check-ups every 6 months | 100% of first $500 and 60% of next $700 (up to $920 every year) Check-ups every 6 months |
What is Costco Manulife health insurance?
Manulife has an offer which allows Costco members special savings rates, executive members can save up to 5%. As a Costco member, you get set premiums which will not change with your health over the years and Survivor's coverage which will support your dependents for one year if you die unexpectedly.
Costo health insurance offers members a choice between standard Health and Dental Insurance and the FollowMe Health plan. The FollowMe Health plan is a guaranteed health insurance policy, which means there are no medical questionnaires and no check-ups, everyone can get this policy no matter their health history.
Good to know
Purchases of Costco Manulife Health and Dental insurance will also be eligible for getting discounts when fulfilling drug or optical prescriptions at Costco Wholesale.
How to get Manulife health insurance?
You can get a Manulife health insurance quote directly from our website. Compare Manulife and other leading insurers in your province in seconds.
Compare coverage and rates of
Canada's best health insurance plans
Alternatively, tou can get a Manulife health insurance quote by heading to their website, choosing the plan that suits you best and giving your age, address and choosing the amount of coverage that you need.

You can also request a Manulife personal health insurance quote through an insurance broker, or you can call a representative directly on the Manulife health insurance contact number: 1-800-268-3763.
Good to know
Some of Manulife's health insurance policies require a medical questionnaire. It may be worth consulting with your doctor if there is anything in your medical history which might prevent you from being accepted.
Manulife health insurance login

You can access your personal account on the Manulife website by clicking the Log On button on the top right of the homepage. You will need your username and password. Once you have unlocked your account you will be able to manage your claims, see upcoming prescriptions and alter your drug plans.
Managing your account online is a great way to stay on top of your health insurance rather than waiting for monthly postal updates. It allows you to stay flexible and alter your plan as your life circumstances change. Managing your prescriptions online allows you to change which pharmacy you pick up from if you are on the move.
Manulife health insurance app
Using Manulife's app allows you access to Akira by TELUS Health. This lets you get in touch with a healthcare professional, any time, day or night. This means you can ask health questions or questions about the level of coverage you need easily and from the comfort of your own home.
You can download the app via the Manulife website or through your app store.

Manulife health insurance customer service
You can call the Manulife health insurance phone number at 1-800-COVER ME (1-800-268-3763). You will be able to speak to a customer services representative from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm ET.
Manulife customer service | Contact |
---|---|
Phone | 1-800-COVER ME (1-800-268-3763) Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm |
By email | Health and Dental: [email protected] |
CoverMe PO Box 670 STN Waterloo Waterloo, ON N2J 4B8 Canada |
Expert advice
When calling customer services make sure to have your policy number ready in order to speed up the process. This number can be found at the top of your policy.
How to make a claim with Manulife heal insurance?
You can make a claim via the website on through the app. You will need to login into your personal space before you make a claim. In your personal space, you will be able to see your previous claims and keep track of how they are progressing.
Alternatively, if you prefer to have hard copies of your documentation, you can download the appropriate form below, fill it out and mail it to one of the following addresses.
Manulife health insurance claim form:
Manulife Dental Claim Form :
Health Care Claims:
For example
Manulife Individual Insurance Health Claims
P.O. Box 670, Stn Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4B8
Dental Claims:
For example
Manulife Individual Insurance - Dental Claims
P.O. Box 670, Stn Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4B8
How to cancel health insurance Manulife?
If you want to end your Manulife health insurance then you can speak to a representative directly by calling Manulife customer services at 1-800-268-3763 to inquire about cancelling your plan.
Watch out!
Before cancelling your plan you should note that there is a 24-month waiting period to get new coverage again with Manulife.
If you prefer to keep hard copies of your documentation then you can download the form below. Fill it out with your details and your reason for cancelling and mail it to the appropriate address.
Then mail it to:
All provinces (apart from Québec)
500 King Street North
PO BOX 1669
WATERLOO ON N2J 4Z6
Fax: 1-877-763-8834
Québec
2000, rue Mansfield
bureau 1310
MONTREAL QC H3A 3A1
Fax: 1-877-271-5494
Can I get Manulife 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 Manulife travel insurance as a separate insurance policy.
What are the best alternatives to Manulife 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 Desjardins health insurance review: the most inclusive choice
Desjardins is a leading provider of insurance in Canada. Desjardins 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
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.
Compare coverage and rates of
Canada's best health insurance plans
after applying for health and dental insurance, how soon can i be covered?
Hi Mathew,
It depends on the insurance company you choose - they all have different rules.
The ManuLife Health plan for instance, doesn't require any waiting period. You are covered as soon as you apply.
Hava a nice day,
The HelloSafe team