The cheapest private health plan in Canada costs about $10 to $31 a month — at any age from 20 to 80. Here is what that plan is, what it covers, and who it makes sense for, in plain language.
Prices checked July 15, 2026 · SK, BC, AB, MB, ON · Single adult.
The short answer: the cheapest private health plan in Canada costs about $10 to $31 a month — at any age from 20 to 80. One plan, GMS BasicPlan, was the lowest price in every province we checked. That is less than most phone plans.
Is this you?
- You have no health insurance right now and just want something in place in case life happens — an ambulance ride, a physio referral, a prescription you didn't see coming.
- You are generally healthy and fine answering a few health questions on an application form.
- You want a starting point at the lowest possible price, not the biggest plan on the market — and you would rather start small than keep putting it off.
Two terms to know
- What you pay each month to keep your coverage (your premium).
- A health questionnaire on the application that the insurer can decline you over (medical underwriting).
The numbers
We checked prices in five provinces — Saskatchewan, BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario — and the same plan won everywhere: GMS BasicPlan. That is unusual. Normally the winning plan rotates by province and age, but at the very bottom of the market one insurer holds the floor across the country. Each cell below is the monthly price of that cheapest plan in that province at that age:
| Age | SK | BC | AB | MB | ON |
|---|
| 30 | $12.00 | $10.50 | $10.00 | $11.75 | $10.00 |
| 50 | $13.00 | $10.75 | $10.75 | $14.00 | $10.50 |
| 70 | $17.75 | $15.00 | $9.50 | $23.25 | $17.25 |
The price barely moves with age — an 80-year-old in Ontario pays $22.25 a month, only about twice what a 20-year-old pays. Alberta is the odd one out in a good way: its price actually dips to $9.50 a month at age 70, the lowest single reading in our study. See all ages and provinces in our full research.
What this means for you
- If you have been putting off coverage because you assumed it was expensive, the entry price is about $10 a month — there is very little excuse to go completely bare.
- Check what you actually need first: this plan covers core health basics with minimal extras, so if dental work or regular prescriptions are your real concern, budget for a bigger plan instead.
- If health questions worry you — an ongoing condition, regular medications — plans that accept everyone (guaranteed acceptance) exist too, starting at $33.00 a month; if you are healthy, health-questions plans like this one are usually the cheaper door, so compare both.
The fine print that matters
- This plan asks health questions, and the insurer can decline you or exclude a condition — the low price assumes you can pass. If a decline would leave you stuck, look at guaranteed acceptance options before applying.
- It is a starting point, not a safety net for everything: a big dental bill or an expensive prescription would still mostly be yours to pay. Be honest about which bills actually worry you before you buy on price alone.
- Prices are not locked in — carriers reprice during the year, and your exact quote depends on your age, province, family size, and start date.
Your own price takes about two minutes to check — see your own rate for your age and province.
Rates were pulled from our own comparison engine on July 15, 2026 for a single adult, with every optional filter off. Full tables, methodology, and limitations are in our research report.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest health insurance plan in Canada?
In our July 15, 2026 price check, GMS BasicPlan was the cheapest private health plan in all five provinces we measured — Saskatchewan, BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario — at every age from 20 to 80. Prices ranged from $9.50 to $31.00 a month depending on age and province.
Does the cheapest health plan cover dental and prescription drugs?
Not meaningfully. The cheapest plan is an entry-level product covering core health basics with minimal extras. If dental work or regular prescriptions are the reason you are shopping, you will need to step up to a bigger plan, which costs more.
Can anyone get the cheapest health plan?
You have to answer health questions on the application, and the insurer can say no or exclude a condition. Anyone can apply at any time, but acceptance is not guaranteed. Plans that accept everyone with no health questions exist too — they start at a higher price.
Will the price go up as I get older?
Surprisingly little. In our check, a 20-year-old paid $10.00 to $12.00 a month depending on province, and a 70-year-old paid $9.50 to $23.25. The cheapest tier of the market barely rises with age, though carriers can reprice at any time.
How much does the cheapest health plan cost in each province?
In our July 15, 2026 check, the cheapest plan cost $12.00 a month in Saskatchewan, $10.50 in BC, $10.00 in Alberta, $11.75 in Manitoba, and $10.00 in Ontario at age 30. At age 50 it ran $13.00 in Saskatchewan, $10.75 in BC and Alberta, $14.00 in Manitoba, and $10.50 in Ontario. At age 70 it ran $17.75 in Saskatchewan, $15.00 in BC, $9.50 in Alberta, $23.25 in Manitoba, and $17.25 in Ontario.