What’s the Best Health Insurance in British Columbia?
Health insurance in British Columbia 101
British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers medically-required services performed by a physician or midwife, diagnostic services, and certain medically-required dental and oral surgeries performed in a hospital. Additionally, the province’s Fair PharmaCare program provides some prescription drug coverage (subject to income-based deductibles and maximums) to eligible individuals.
But what the MSP doesn’t cover is just as significant as what it does. Most moderate-to-high income British Columbians have no public health insurance coverage for dental service, routine eye examinations, paramedical services, mental health care, and medical equipment like hearing aids and mobility devices. And while British Columbia’s health care programs for low-income families are extensive, they’re also complicated to navigate and riddled with technicalities and exclusions.
If you’re one of the many British Columbians with a gap in your health insurance coverage, private health insurance could reduce your out-of-pocket medical spending.
The best health insurance in British Columbia
To help you find the best fit, PolicyMe’s team identified three private health insurance plans that offer the best private coverage for British Columbians by evaluating 65 products from 9 insurers in 3 categories:
The table below compares our three recommended plans. Keep in mind that these aren’t the only private health insurance plans with excellent benefits for residents of British Columbia.
* Prices reflect the approximate costs for residents in the relevant age group in British Columbia.
1. Guaranteed Issue Classic from PolicyMe
Why it’s the best: The Guaranteed Issue Classic plan from PolicyMe lands at the top of our list because it’s got a little of everything. It’s a guaranteed acceptance plan that gives moderate- to high-income British Columbians quick coverage to fill in the gaps left by the MSP.
The Classic plan includes comprehensive dental insurance coverage, from basic preventive and restorative services like cleanings and fillings to major services (subject to a 3-year waiting period) like crowns and bridges. Families also get coverage for routine vision care and a $1,000 combined annual maximum for visits to 9 paramedical professionals, along with separate coverage for mental health services.
Premiums start around $117/month for applicants aged 21-44 in British Columbia.
2. ZONE 3 (Basic) from GreenShield
Why we chose it: If you’re satisfied with your prescription drug coverage through Fair PharmaCare, a dental-only plan may be a great fit — and we think GreenShield’s ZONE 3 plan is among the best. It’s a guaranteed acceptance plan that pays 80% of basic and comprehensive dental services, with 50% coverage for major services starting in year 3.
You’ll also get travel insurance, coverage for medical equipment and home care, and reimbursement for paramedical and mental health services — although some of these allowances fall short of PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan benefits.
Premiums start at $103/month for applicants aged 21-44 in British Columbia.
3. DentalPlus Enhanced from Manulife
Why we chose it: We’re a fan of the built-in extras in Manulife’s health insurance policies. In addition to generous coverage for basic preventative and restorative dental services, the DentalPlus Enhanced plan has coverage for orthodontics — a key service for many families that’s not covered by most dental plans. Survivor benefits are a no-cost-added feature of this policy, along with $250,000 over your lifetime for registered specialists and therapists, orthotics, hearing aids, home care, medical equipment and more.
Manulife’s health plans are also highly customizable, with the option to add perks like private or semi-private hospital rooms, enhanced vision and travel insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment to your policy. What Manulife’s policies are not is cheap — this is a good option for high-income families willing to pay extra for tailor-made coverage.
Premiums start around $147/month for applicants aged 21-44 in British Columbia.
If finding the cheapest health insurance coverage is your priority, PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Economic plan is a low-cost, no-frills alternative to the plans recommended above.
What’s the best health insurance for seniors in British Columbia?
Most British Columbians aren’t eligible for additional health benefits through MSP.
Seniors healthcare needs can be especially complex and expensive, with routine costs from mobility devices and hearing aids to diabetic supplies and preferred hospital accommodations. The plans recommended above can meet many of those needs for seniors in British Columbia, but we also recommend GreenShield’s ZONE 1 (Elementary) plan and the OmniPlan from GMS as cost-effective options.
ZONE 1 doesn’t include coverage for prescription drugs or dental care, and both are optional on the OmniPlan, so seniors can avoid overpaying for services that may be covered elsewhere. Both plans include generous coverage for paramedical services, hearing aids, and other medical equipment such as oxygen equipment, diabetic supplies, and blood pressure monitors.
ZONE 1 premiums start as low as $53/month for seniors (age 65+) in British Columbia. OmniPlan premiums start at $60.50/month for individuals and $110.00/month for couples.
Methodology
There are many points to consider when choosing a health plan and provider, which we boiled down to three essentials:
Because the Canadian insurance industry is so highly regulated, we take each company's Financial Stability score as a given. Our rankings are based on each company's Customer Service score plus the Value for Money score of its highest-rated plan in the relevant category.
How much does health insurance in British Columbia cost?
The average household in British Columbia spent $3,139 in total out-of-pocket healthcare costs in 2023, according to Statistics Canada. By comparison, the national average that year was $3,087.
That figure includes the cost of private health insurance premiums, but these made up just 15.6% of British Columbians’ healthcare spending in 2023. For most people, a private health insurance policy like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan (our top pick for British Columbia) could save a total of $1,801 per year in out-of-pocket costs.
How? Your health insurance premiums simply need to be lower than your routine out-of-pocket healthcare spending — which is true for most Canadians. Here’s a comparison of monthly health insurance quotes for our top 3 private health insurance plans in British Columbia:
*These are sample quotes collected November 20, 2025. For the most up-to-date quotes, request them directly from the provider.
What does British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan cover?
Enrolment in British Columbia’s Medical Services (MSP) plan is mandatory for all B.C. residents who meet eligibility requirements, including First Nations residents and certain holders of work permits and study permits. If you’re enrolled in the MSP, you’re eligible for coverage of:
If you’re enrolled in MSP and resident in B.C., you may also register for Fair PharmaCare drug coverage. Eligibility depends on family income and once the program’s deductible is met, covers certain prescriptions and medical supplies.
The table below goes into more detail about specific benefits offered through MSP coverage.
While British Columbia’s MSP has limited coverage for non-essential medical services, the MSP Supplementary Benefits plan provides some additional coverage for low-income families.
In addition to these specific income-based benefits, the BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) program offers a variety of Health Supplements and Programs that may help to offset the cost of a wide range of healthcare expenses for British Columbians struggling financially.
How to find the best health insurance for you
With so many options and variables, finding the right medical coverage in British Columbia can feel like a challenge. Let’s make it easier: start by following the checklist below.
- Take stock of your current coverage: Make sure you understand and are taking full advantage of the health insurance already available to you, either through MSP or your workplace. If you fall under the MSP SB’s $42k/year adjusted net income threshold, be sure to explore all supplementary benefits.
- Scrutinize your medical spending: What do you actually spend in an average year on medical care that’s not covered by your existing insurance (MSP or otherwise)? Tally up your dental bills, mental health expenses, paramedical visits, and anything else that falls under the wellness umbrella that’s not currently covered — then divide the total by 12 to find your average monthly spending.
- Measure your coverage gap: Your average monthly out-of-pocket healthcare spending represents the size of your coverage gap, but it’s also important to understand its makeup. Are most of your out-of-pocket expenses going towards dental care? Medical equipment? Your monthly massage?
- Look for plans with the closest fit for your coverage gap: Here’s where that math comes in — start comparing health insurance plans, looking for coverage that most closely matches your actual spending. As you review your options, compare the monthly premiums with your current monthly spending.
- Request quotes from your best matches: Once you’ve found a few plans that are suited to your family members’ health insurance needs, request health insurance quotes from each company. You may want to compare quotes at the same coverage level or request quotes for multiple levels of coverage (say, a standard and enhanced plan from the same carrier) to find the best fit for your budget.
The best private health insurance in British Columbia is the plan that reduces your medical spending without reducing your medical care. PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue plans are a good starting point, but the right plan is different for every Canadian.
FAQ: British Columbia Health Insurance
Kathleen Flear is the Director of Content Marketing at PolicyMe. With seven years’ experience creating insurance and financial-planning content and leading editorial teams, she focuses on clear, helpful guidance that empowers Canadians and strengthens their financial well-being.
Kathleen Flear is the Director of Content Marketing at PolicyMe. With seven years’ experience creating insurance and financial-planning content and leading editorial teams, she focuses on clear, helpful guidance that empowers Canadians and strengthens their financial well-being.
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of October 2025. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.