Guaranteed acceptance health care plans
Health and dental insurance for those who may not qualify medically for another plan.
What is a guaranteed acceptance health care plan?
A guaranteed acceptance health and dental insurance plan is an appropriate choice for individuals who might face challenges in qualifying for a healthcare plan due to their medical history. This type of plan is designed to provide an insurance solution for those who may be ineligible for other types of health coverage.
The hallmark of a 'guaranteed acceptance' plan is its inclusive application process. Applicants are not required to complete a medical questionnaire, and the insurance company issues coverage without considering the applicant's health history. This means that coverage is assured regardless of your medical conditions or the timing of your application.
Like all health insurance plans, the primary goal of a guaranteed acceptance plan is to supplement your provincial government health care plan. It aims to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by covering health and dental costs that are not included in your provincial coverage.
While guaranteed acceptance plans generally provide lower value in terms of benefits per dollar compared to other types of plans, they serve as a valuable potential solution. They are particularly beneficial for individuals with pre-existing conditions who might otherwise be unable to secure health insurance coverage.
Guaranteed-acceptance health plansGuaranteed-acceptance plans
Which plan fits you?
There are three ways to get individual health coverage. Two questions point to the right one, and guaranteed acceptance is there for everyone else.
Did you leave a group plan through work in the last 60 days?
Are you generally healthy, and comfortable answering health questions?
Guaranteed-acceptance planAccepted with no health questions, at any time.
What you get
- No health questions
- Apply any time, with no deadline
- Pre-existing conditions are covered
What you give up
- Lower annual maximums
- Less drug coverage
- Waiting periods before some benefits start
- Less coverage for each dollar of premium
Moving up later. You can apply for a medically underwritten plan at any time, though acceptance isn’t guaranteed.
Illustration only. Plans vary by insurer: some include dental and some don’t, and most have waiting periods for certain benefits.
This type of plan is an ideal fit for:
Health insurance plans cover a combination of routine expenses (i.e. planned predictable expenses), and unplanned expenses. Every plan will vary with regard to coverage amounts for each of these benefits.
- Individuals and families who have medical history that may preclude them from qualifying for a Medically Underwritten plan. Or, would result in too many exclusions.
- Individuals and families who have medical history and 'pre-existing conditions' that they want to ensure are covered.
- Individuals and families who are not covered by an employee group benefits plan and are outside the 60-90 day window to transition seamlessly to a Guaranteed Issue plan.
What does health insurance cover?
Health insurance plans cover a combination of routine expenses (i.e. planned predictable expenses), and unplanned expenses. Every plan will vary with regard to coverage amounts for each of these benefits.
- Prescription drugs
- Dental visits
- Paramedical services
- Vision care
- Ambulance (air / ground)
- Hospital accomodation
- Emergency travel medical
- Medical equipment
Cost
How much does health insurance cost?
There are a number of factors that can affect plan pricing, including:
Age
Generally, insurance cost less for younger age groups, and more for older age groups
Single, couple or family
Plan cost will vary depending on the number of people covered.
Province of residence
Plan cost can vary from one province/territory to the next.
Plan selection
Plans that include more benefits and higher coverage amounts come at a higher cost.
Other types of health care plans
There are two other types of health insurance plans; Guaranteed Issue, and Guaranteed Acceptance. The appropriate plan for you depends on your circumstances. An advisor can assist in determining the appropriate plan for you.
Medically underwritten
- Medical questionnaire required
- Apply anytime
- Lowest relative cost
- Highest benefits per dollar
- Excludes pre-existing conditions
Guaranteed issue
- No medical questionnaire
- Apply within 60-90 days of employee group benefits terminating
- Moderate relative cost
- Moderate benefits per dollar
- Covers pre-existing conditions
Frequently asked questions
All questionsWhat is the benefit of a guaranteed acceptance health and dental plan compared with other plans?
You’re accepted with no health questions, at any time, and conditions you already have are covered. The trade-off is less coverage for each dollar: lower limits, less drug coverage, and waiting periods before some benefits start. It suits people who can’t qualify for a medically underwritten plan and have missed the guaranteed issue window.
How long does it take to get health and dental insurance?
It depends on the type of plan. A medically underwritten plan usually takes about three weeks, mostly waiting for records from your doctors. Guaranteed issue and guaranteed acceptance plans ask no health questions, so they usually start on the first of the month after your application is approved.
A question about your coverage? Ask us.
No obligation. We’ll tell you plainly what we think, including when you already have what you need.