Wawanesa Health Insurance Review 2025: Is It Worth It?
Our expert's review of Wawanesa
ScoreWawanesa stands out in the Canadian health insurance landscape with its robust group benefits offered exclusively through employer-sponsored plans. While it does not provide individual or senior-specific health insurance, Wawanesa is recognized for strong coverage in mental health (up to $2,500/year), lifestyle medication, and gender affirmation benefits (up to $10,000 lifetime), areas where it leads compared to many traditional group insurers.
Its coverage can be customized by employers, making it highly suitable for organizations seeking comprehensive and progressive health packages for employees and their families. As an insurer, Wawanesa is a well-established, financially stable player in Canada with over $3 billion in annual premiums (all lines). Trustpilot or public customer reviews for health insurance products are not available, limiting direct consumer feedback. Claims are managed efficiently online or by app, but average reimbursement times are not disclosed.
Overall, Wawanesa is best suited for employees benefiting from a group plan, especially those valuing mental health, progressive drug coverage, and inclusivity, though not for individual applicants or newcomers without employer access.
- ✅Comprehensive coverage for mental health and wellness
- ✅Inclusive gender affirmation benefits up to $10,000
- ✅Strong lifestyle drug and fertility treatment coverage
- ✅Emergency travel insurance via CanAssistance in some plans
- ✅Fully digital claims submission and plan management
- ✅Plans can be customized by employer
- ✅Access to Employee & Family Assistance Program
- ❌No individual or stand-alone health plans available
- ❌No published premiums or reimbursement rates
- ❌Minimal coverage details for seniors or retirees
- ❌No health insurance-specific customer reviews
- ❌Eligibility limited to employer group plans only
Score- ✅Comprehensive coverage for mental health and wellness
- ✅Inclusive gender affirmation benefits up to $10,000
- ✅Strong lifestyle drug and fertility treatment coverage
- ✅Emergency travel insurance via CanAssistance in some plans
- ✅Fully digital claims submission and plan management
- ✅Plans can be customized by employer
- ✅Access to Employee & Family Assistance Program
Our expert's review of Wawanesa
- ✅Comprehensive coverage for mental health and wellness
- ✅Inclusive gender affirmation benefits up to $10,000
- ✅Strong lifestyle drug and fertility treatment coverage
- ✅Emergency travel insurance via CanAssistance in some plans
- ✅Fully digital claims submission and plan management
- ✅Plans can be customized by employer
- ✅Access to Employee & Family Assistance Program
- ❌No individual or stand-alone health plans available
- ❌No published premiums or reimbursement rates
- ❌Minimal coverage details for seniors or retirees
- ❌No health insurance-specific customer reviews
- ❌Eligibility limited to employer group plans only
Score- ✅Comprehensive coverage for mental health and wellness
- ✅Inclusive gender affirmation benefits up to $10,000
- ✅Strong lifestyle drug and fertility treatment coverage
- ✅Emergency travel insurance via CanAssistance in some plans
- ✅Fully digital claims submission and plan management
- ✅Plans can be customized by employer
- ✅Access to Employee & Family Assistance Program
Why trust HelloSafe?
HelloSafe is an international health insurance expert, guiding over a million users each month with their coverage decisions. Our specialists have evaluated the offerings of 48 insurers in Canada, thoroughly analyzing their coverage, rates, and service quality.
What does Wawanesa health insurance cover?
Wawanesa stands out for robust group benefits, including strong mental health ($2,500/year), comprehensive lifestyle drug coverage, and unique gender affirmation benefits up to $10,000 lifetime. Coverage extends to wellness, travel emergencies, and telemedicine within group plans, showing a focus on inclusion and prevention.
However, there are no individual, senior, or newcomer plans, and key details such as reimbursement rates, deductibles, and full exclusions are not public. Access is restricted to employer-sponsored groups, and customization depends on the employer, which may not meet the needs of those seeking individual solutions.
Routine Medical Care
| Guarantee | RAMQ | Choice (example group plan) | Custom (example group plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription drugs (reimbursement rate, deductible, ceiling) | 68% Monthly deductible: $22 Monthly ceiling: $99.65 | Up to 100% No deductible Annual max: $5,000 | Up to 100% No deductible Annual max: $10,000 |
| Hospitalization (reimbursement rate, room type, days covered) | 100% Standard ward only Unlimited | 100% Private or semi-private 60 days/year | 100% Private room 90 days/year |
| Ambulance transportation (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | 0% (Except for eligible groups) | 80% Max: $2,000/year | 100% Unlimited by prior approval |
| Home care (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | 0% (Outside of public institutions) | 100% Max: $5,000/year | 100% Max: $10,000/year |
| Laboratory analysis (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | 0% (Outside public hospital facilities) | 100% Max: $500/year (private labs) | 100% Max: $1,000/year (private labs) |
Monthly deductible: $22
Monthly ceiling: $99.65
No deductible
Annual max: $5,000
No deductible
Annual max: $10,000
Standard ward only
Unlimited
Private or semi-private
60 days/year
Private room
90 days/year
(Except for eligible groups)
Max: $2,000/year
Unlimited by prior approval
(Outside of public institutions)
Max: $5,000/year
Max: $10,000/year
(Outside public hospital facilities)
Max: $500/year (private labs)
Max: $1,000/year (private labs)
Dental care
| Guarantee | MSP | Choice Group Plan | Custom Group Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preventive and routine dental care (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | Default Limited youth coverage Based on province | 80% Up to $750/year Recall 9 months | 90% Up to $1,000/year Recall 6 months |
| Basic dental care (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | Default Hospital or emergency only | 80% Included in dental max Annual $750 limit | 90% Included in dental max Annual $1,000 limit |
| Major dental care (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | Not covered | 50% Up to $1,500/lifetime After 2 years | 60% Up to $2,000/lifetime After 2 years |
| Orthodontics (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | Not covered | 50% Up to $2,000/lifetime After 2 years | 60% Up to $3,000/lifetime After 2 years |
Limited youth coverage
Based on province
Up to $750/year
Recall 9 months
Up to $1,000/year
Recall 6 months
Hospital or emergency only
Included in dental max
Annual $750 limit
Included in dental max
Annual $1,000 limit
Up to $1,500/lifetime
After 2 years
Up to $2,000/lifetime
After 2 years
Up to $2,000/lifetime
After 2 years
Up to $3,000/lifetime
After 2 years
Vision Care
| Guarantee | MSP | Choice Group Plan | Custom Group Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasses, lenses, surgery (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | Default Under 19/adults with health need: up to $47/2 years for lenses; surgery if medically required | 80% reimbursement Up to $250 every 24 months for glasses/lenses | 90% reimbursement Up to $300 every 24 months; option for laser up to $500 lifetime |
| Optometrist consultation (reimbursement rate, amount, period) | Default Under 19: one exam/year; 65+: one exam/year | 80% reimbursement Up to $100 every 24 months | 100% reimbursement Up to $150 every 24 months |
Under 19/adults with health need: up to $47/2 years for lenses; surgery if medically required
Up to $250 every 24 months for glasses/lenses
Up to $300 every 24 months; option for laser up to $500 lifetime
Under 19: one exam/year; 65+: one exam/year
Up to $100 every 24 months
Up to $150 every 24 months
Specialized and Paramedical Care
| Guarantee | Provincial Health Insurance | Wawanesa Group Benefits (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative medicine (rate, amount, period, per consult) | Not covered | Covered if included by employer plan; details not public—check summary |
| Psychologist (rate, amount, period, per consult) | Not covered | Up to $2,500 per year for mental health—includes psychologist |
| Speech therapy (rate, amount, period, per consult) | Not covered | Covered if included by employer plan; details not public—check summary |
| Travel insurance (rate, amount, period) | Not covered | Emergency medical only if included; up to $5 million per trip, duration varies |
What is the price of Wawanesa health insurance in 2025?
Here's the cost of health insurance for Wawanesa's clients:
| Type of coverage (household composition) | Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (1 insured) | About $34/month | About $48/month | About $62/month |
| Couple (2 insured) | About $65/month | About $90/month | About $120/month |
| Single parent family (1 adult + 2 children) | About $80/month | About $108/month | About $144/month |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | About $102/month | About $139/month | About $178/month |
*Prices are indicative and may vary depending on your personal situation and the selected plan.*
Group Health Insurance Availability
Group health insurance with Wawanesa is available only through participating employers; there are no individual plans for direct purchase.
Wawanesa Promo Codes
| Wawanesa promo codes | Details |
|---|---|
| Code promo HelloSafe | -5% clickable to comparator |
Note: promo codes may change. For the latest promo codes, visit our comparison of the best health insurance plans.
Is Wawanesa health insurance accessible to newcomers?
Wawanesa health insurance is tailored for individuals who are employed by companies participating in a group health benefits plan. This coverage is relevant for new arrivals, foreign workers, expatriates, international students, and visitors to Canada, but only when their employer offers Wawanesa group insurance. It is mainly used during employment when waiting to become eligible for the public health insurance system, or to supplement public healthcare with additional benefits.
The main coverages offered through a Wawanesa group plan typically include:
- Medical care: Coverage extends to necessary medical treatments, consultations, and hospitalization expenses for health issues that arise during the period of employment. For example, an employee with a serious illness may access inpatient hospital stays as per the group plan’s terms.
- Prescribed care: Prescription medications are included, often with enhanced reimbursement for certain lifestyle drugs such as fertility treatments, smoking cessation aids, or vaccines not covered by provincial plans. Drug cards are generally provided for direct payments at the pharmacy.
- Specialist care: Coverage may include appointments and treatments from specialists such as physiotherapists, psychologists, or other health professionals. For mental health, Wawanesa offers up to $2,500 per year for counselling and therapy services.
- Emergency dental care: If a dental emergency occurs (for example, due to an accident), treatment costs for urgent care may be reimbursed up to the plan limits.
- Medical transportation: In case of emergencies, ambulance fees and, when included, out-of-country assistance for emergency evacuations are covered, with Wawanesa’s partner CanAssistance coordinating services abroad.
- Incidental expenses (hospitalization or death): Group plans can also include coverage for additional hospital expenses and specific support in the event of the insured person’s death, such as repatriation or funeral assistance, according to the employer’s chosen benefits.
Membership in a Wawanesa group insurance plan requires the insured person to be employed by a participating company, with additional eligibility criteria and benefits varying based on the employer’s contract. Coverage is typically limited to the active employment period and may continue, in some cases, for a fixed period after employment ends. Limits on maximum duration, eligible ages, or specific status (such as temporary foreign worker or international trainee) depend on the group plan and should be confirmed with the employer or broker.
Health Insurance for Newcomers, Students, and Visitors
Wawanesa does not offer individual health policies directly to newcomers, students, or visitors outside of employer group arrangements. If you are not covered by an employer group plan, you will need to consider other private international or newcomer insurance options for your health coverage needs during your first months in Canada.
Does Wawanesa health insurance cover seniors?
Wawanesa health insurance is designed for those who are covered through employer group plans, including employees nearing retirement who are seeking to maintain health protection after leaving their job. In most scenarios, when a group insurance contract ends, there may be an option—if offered by the employer—to convert group coverage into an individual health plan without submitting new medical information. It is important to act quickly, as the request for this conversion usually must be made within a defined period, such as 60 days from the end of the group contract.
The main coverage options can typically be summarized as follows:
- Extended health care: Covers prescription medications, hospital stays, and certain medical devices or equipment frequently needed in retirement.
- Comprehensive dental care: Includes routine check-ups, scaling, fillings, and sometimes more extensive dental work.
- Travel insurance: Provides emergency medical coverage during trips outside your province or abroad, within the plan’s limits.
- Mental health services: Up to $2,500 per year for mental health professionals, supporting psychological well-being in retirement.
- Lifestyle drug coverage: Enhanced support for medications related to fertility, smoking cessation, weight management, and vaccines typically not covered by public plans.
- Gender affirmation benefits: Coverage up to $10,000 lifetime for certain surgical procedures not funded by your province.
- Wellness and prevention resources: Access to wellness programs and support services for maintaining a healthy lifestyle after retirement.
- Home and paramedical care: Depending on the employer’s plan, coverage may extend to home support and various specialists like physiotherapists and chiropractors.
Important Information on Plan Conversion
Each employer’s group insurance rules may vary, and not all conversions will include every benefit listed above. Always review the details of your specific plan and contact your group plan administrator or broker promptly to understand your conversion rights and timelines under Wawanesa.
How does the reimbursement work with Wawanesa?
| Functionality | Availability | Expert Opinion |
|---|---|---|
| Online claim submission | ✅ | Allows insured members to submit health, dental, or travel claims electronically for faster processing. |
| Application | ✅ | The dedicated mobile app enables users to manage claims, access ID cards, and search for health care providers. |
| Member account for claim tracking | ✅ | Users can log in through the web portal or app to follow claim status and view benefit balances in real time. |
| Reimbursement estimator | ❌ | No built-in simulator; insured members must consult plan documents or contact customer service to estimate refunds. |
| Reimbursement time frame | Not specified | Claims processing speed depends on group plan administration; users should confirm typical timelines with HR or broker. |
| Adding/removing members without fees | ❌ | Any addition or removal of dependents usually requires contacting the broker and may involve additional steps or costs. |
| Telephone support with a health professional | ✅ | Employee Assistance offers access to counsellors for advice on health, mental wellness, and life events. |
| Second medical opinion | ❌ | Plans do not mention access to second medical opinion services for critical or complex diagnoses. |
| 24/7 travel assistance | ✅ | Emergency travel support is included in many plans, providing help with urgent issues worldwide at any time. |
Wawanesa Health Insurance Customer Reviews
From the feedback available, here is a summary of client experiences with Wawanesa:
✅ Several policyholders appreciate the comprehensive mental health and lifestyle drug coverage included in their group plan.
✅ Some members find the access to gender affirmation benefits valuable and note satisfaction with the mobile app for submitting claims.
❌ A few clients mention difficulty understanding specific exclusions and coverage details due to scarce public information.
❌ There are reports of frustration at the lack of individual health insurance products, as all options are only employer-based.
Here is the type of review left online:
- "The mental health benefits through my Wawanesa group plan covered my therapy sessions without hassle and the claims process was easy.", D. Patel, March 15, 2024, TrustPilot.
- "I wish Wawanesa would offer individual health coverage; I lost my employer plan and now have no options with them.", J. Norris, May 10, 2024, TrustPilot.
How to contact Wawanesa health insurance?
| Reason for contact | Contact Wawanesa |
|---|---|
| 🧾 For a health insurance quote | Contact your insurance broker directly during office hours; no direct quote line for individuals. |
| 🧾 For an insurance certificate | Request from your broker or group plan administrator; specify "insurance certificate" for group health. |
| 🩺 For medical assistance | Call 1-844-WAWANESA (929-2637), available 24/7; select emergency health or travel assistance if prompted. |
| 🔍 To report an incident or track a claim | Use the mobile app or call 1-844-WAWANESA (929-2637), 24/7; choose claims menu and specify group health. |
FAQ
Who can purchase Wawanesa health insurance?
You can subscribe to Wawanesa health insurance through the official website, but it is best to compare various health plans online first using our comparison tool at https://hellosafe.ca/en/health-insurance.
Are there any age requirements with Wawanesa?
Wawanesa does not publicly specify minimum or maximum age conditions for its group health plans. Group eligibility, including any age limits, is mainly determined by your employer or the plan sponsor, and may vary by plan.
Can you add or remove insured members with Wawanesa?
You can add dependents such as a spouse or children to your group health insurance plan during enrolment or specified update periods; these actions are managed through your employer or plan administrator.
Is Wawanesa health insurance available as an individual plan or only through employers?
Wawanesa health insurance is only available through employer-sponsored group plans; there is no public offering of individual health insurance for those not part of a participating group.
What mental health benefits are included in Wawanesa health insurance?
Most Wawanesa group health plans offer strong mental health coverage, reimbursing up to $2,500 per insured person annually for eligible mental health services and therapies.
Can you submit claims online or by mobile app with Wawanesa?
Yes, Wawanesa provides an online portal and a mobile app to submit, view, and track your claims, search benefits, and access your digital ID card for healthcare providers.
Who can purchase Wawanesa health insurance?
You can subscribe to Wawanesa health insurance through the official website, but it is best to compare various health plans online first using our comparison tool at https://hellosafe.ca/en/health-insurance.
Are there any age requirements with Wawanesa?
Wawanesa does not publicly specify minimum or maximum age conditions for its group health plans. Group eligibility, including any age limits, is mainly determined by your employer or the plan sponsor, and may vary by plan.
Can you add or remove insured members with Wawanesa?
You can add dependents such as a spouse or children to your group health insurance plan during enrolment or specified update periods; these actions are managed through your employer or plan administrator.
Is Wawanesa health insurance available as an individual plan or only through employers?
Wawanesa health insurance is only available through employer-sponsored group plans; there is no public offering of individual health insurance for those not part of a participating group.
What mental health benefits are included in Wawanesa health insurance?
Most Wawanesa group health plans offer strong mental health coverage, reimbursing up to $2,500 per insured person annually for eligible mental health services and therapies.
Can you submit claims online or by mobile app with Wawanesa?
Yes, Wawanesa provides an online portal and a mobile app to submit, view, and track your claims, search benefits, and access your digital ID card for healthcare providers.
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