The short answer: in our August 13, 2026 check, the cheapest entry-level individual health plan cost $64 a month or less at any age from 20 to 80 in the provinces we checked — see our cheapest-plan research, which uses real rates from our comparison engine. Fuller coverage, with higher drug maximums, dental and paramedical, costs more depending on your age, province, and how much coverage you buy. For exact monthly prices for your situation, compare plans.
Why Cost Information Is So Hard to Find
If you have ever tried to find out how much individual health insurance costs in Canada, you know a single number rarely helps. Prices depend on your age, province, household, and the plan you pick, and each insurer prices its plans separately.
Here is what sets the price, and where to see exact rates from the carriers on our platform.
The Factors That Determine Your Premium
Before we get to numbers, you need to understand the four main factors that drive your premium:
Age: Premiums are set by age band, and they generally rise as you move into older age bands.
Province: Premiums vary by province because provincial health plan coverage differs, health care costs differ, and regulatory environments differ. A plan in Saskatchewan may cost differently than the same plan in Ontario.
Coverage level: Plans come in tiers — basic, standard, enhanced, and comprehensive. More coverage means higher premiums. You pay more for higher drug maximums, major dental, enhanced paramedical, and broader benefit lists.
Family size: Covering more people costs more. Adding a spouse or children moves you to a couple or family rate, and how much more that costs varies by insurer and plan.
What Entry-Level Plans Cost
We don't publish estimated price ranges. In our August 13, 2026 check, the single cheapest plan for a general applicant cost $64 a month or less at any age from 20 to 80 in the provinces we checked. These entry-level plans cover core health benefits with minimal extras. See the exact recorded prices by age and province in the research tables, or compare plans for your own age, province, and household.
Why Two People the Same Age Pay Different Prices
Plan type matters. A plan with only drug coverage costs less than one that adds dental, vision, paramedical, and travel medical. You are paying for the breadth of coverage.
Carrier differences are real. For similar coverage, prices differ between carriers, and the cheapest option changes with age, province, and coverage level. This is why comparing plans matters.
Underwritten vs. guaranteed-issue. If you qualify for a plan that asks health questions, it can cost less than a no-health-questions plan with similar benefits, because the insurer knows more about the risk it is taking on.
Deductible choices. A plan with no drug deductible usually costs more than one with a deductible. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly premium.
Couple and Family Rates
If you are covering more than yourself, the insurer uses a couple, single-parent, or family rate. How much each adds, and how children are counted, varies by insurer and plan, so check the exact price for your household in the comparison.
How Premiums Change Over Time
Your premium can change over time, for two reasons:
Age bands: Premiums generally rise as you move into an older age band.
Rate adjustments: Insurers can adjust their rates at renewal, based on claims experience and other factors. These adjustments apply to everyone on a plan, not just you personally.
Is It Worth It?
Without insurance, you pay the full price of prescriptions, dental cleanings and repairs, physiotherapy, glasses, and emergency care while travelling. Ask your pharmacist, dentist, or clinic for their actual prices, then compare them with a plan's yearly premium and the share of each claim the plan pays.
If you are self-employed, premiums may be deductible from business income if you meet the CRA's conditions; otherwise they can count toward the medical expense tax credit. Our guide for self-employed Canadians explains the rules.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Your actual premium depends on your specific age, province, coverage selections, and plan type. The fastest way to get an accurate number is to compare plans with a tool that shows real rates from multiple carriers based on your information. No phone calls, no waiting for callbacks — just actual premiums you can compare and act on.
Frequently asked questions
How much does health insurance cost in Canada?
In our August 13, 2026 check, the cheapest entry-level individual plan cost $64 a month or less at any age from 20 to 80 in the provinces we checked. Fuller coverage costs more. For exact monthly prices for your age, province, and household, use the comparison.
How much more does couple or family coverage cost?
Covering a spouse or children moves you to a couple, single-parent, or family rate. How much more that costs, and how children are counted, varies by insurer and plan, so check the exact rate for your household in the comparison.
Why do two people the same age pay different premiums?
Plan type is a big driver — a drug-only plan costs less than comprehensive coverage. Prices for similar coverage also differ between carriers, plans that ask health questions can cost less than no-health-questions plans, and choosing a higher deductible can lower the monthly premium.
Will my premium go up over time?
It can. Premiums generally rise as you move into an older age band, and insurers can adjust their rates at renewal based on claims experience and other factors.