Robert WebbWhen we moved to Vancouver, we initially thought that having our basic Medical Services Plan (MSP) from the government would be enough. Until one day, my wife had a jaw trauma, which we had to pay straight from our pockets.
As soon as we got out of that dental emergency, we asked our friends for their trusted health insurance providers. Now, we’re ready for any dental emergency— our new prescription glasses are even covered!
So if you’re currently relying on your MSP, make sure to keep scrolling for the best health insurance pros we’ve tried around in Vancouver. These experts don’t just have your backs—they will make sure you’re covered from head to toe!
How much does health insurance cost in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, the average cost for a basic health insurance plan for an individual starts at $50 per month. Take note that the cost will vary based on different factors such as age, health status, and coverage level.
How we chose:
- Coverage plan: We included health insurance companies with comprehensive coverage plans. We also checked if they have good packages for freelancers, or if they even allow coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
- Easy claiming process: We assessed how easy and hassle-free it is to file and claim for health insurance.
- Billing: We checked if they offer direct billing to merchants such as clinics or hospitals, preventing clients from having unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.
- Wide network: We included health insurance companies with a wide network, ensuring that known clinics, hospitals, and even doctors are included in the list.
1. Arbetov Insurance & Wealth Management
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Coverage plan | 4/5 |
| Packages for freelancers | 4/5 |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | 4/5 |
| Easy claiming process | 4.5/5 |
| Hassle-free notification | 4.5/5 |
| Fast approval | 4.5/5 |
| Billing | 4/5 |
| Wide network | 4.9/5 |
When my cousin was planning to move here to Vancouver, she asked for our help in getting her health insurance before she even left the United States.
We’re already clients of Arbetov Insurance & Wealth Management, that’s why we decided to seek their assistance. We sent an inquiry over their website around 10 in the morning, and were surprised to get a response around 2 in the afternoon.
Lea, the client representative, took the time to carefully explain the process, including all the details about residency, and even helped us choose the best coverage for our cousin.
Another thing that we liked about them is that you can reach out to them even if you’re in a completely different timezone. You can expect someone from their customer service team to coordinate with you in just a couple of hours.
For those of you who are currently enrolled in the government insurance plan, we suggest availing their Extended Health Insurance package so you can have additional benefits like dental plans.
Aside from our health insurance, we also got travel insurance here for our recent trip to Bali. Now, availing one is more convenient as we only need to use their online calculator to find the best policy before our trip.
Can work with different timezones
“Lea was amazing! I can’t recommend Arbetov enough – Even using on-line messaging over different time zones, my customer service experience was excellent. If you’re looking for a really good service and unbeatable rates for IEC health insurance – these are the guys to use! Thank you Lea for all your help x”
Mel Hampshire, Google Review
Easy claiming process
“I have purchased a few policies with Lea, and each time the service was great! The last one took less than 10 minutes to complete! The polices itself are also good, as we have not had any problems with claims so far.”
Colin Taylor, Google Review
2. AMC Insurance Service
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Coverage plan | 4/5 |
| Packages for freelancers | 4/5 |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | 4/5 |
| Easy claiming process | 4.8/5 |
| Hassle-free notification | 4.8/5 |
| Fast approval | 4.8/5 |
| Billing | 4.5/5 |
| Wide network | 4.9/5 |
When we were renewing our car insurance with AMC Insurance Service, we decided to take a look at our health insurance too. After all, these guys know everything that revolves around insurance.
However, they tend to push bundled packages for you. So if you really want to stick with health insurance alone, you better come ready to firmly say no.
You can just pop in here if you need assistance on insurance policies for your home, your car, for your next event, for commercial use, and yes including your health. Don’t worry, even if you didn’t set an appointment, they will accommodate you right away.
In fact, we came thirty minutes before they closed. But even with one employee present, we still got the attention and the level of service we wanted.
Or if you don’t have the time to visit their office, you can just reach out to them through their email. We did this once and got a call back in just ten minutes, which was quite impressive.
It’s also great that you can easily submit all the required documents through their portal, which saves you an additional trip to their office.
And when it comes to claiming, you can expect the amount that’s reflected on your coverage, as there will be no hidden charges towards the end.
Very responsive
“Stella from AMC Insurance is great to work with. She is very responsive and answers all queries patiently with the relevant details. I will recommend her to my friends and family.
Nakul Gopinath, Google Review
Accommodating even if it’s almost closing time
“Jessica at AMC really helped me renew my insurance in a pinch! With 5 minutes to closing time, she helped me renew my vehicle insurance quickly and efficiently. Thank you so much!!!”
Annie Yun, Google Review
3. Pacific Blue Cross
Consumer Rating: C+
| Google review | 2.6/5 |
| Total reviews score | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 4/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Coverage plan | 4.3/5 |
| Packages for freelancers | 4.5/5 |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | 4/5 |
| Easy claiming process | 4.4/5 |
| Hassle-free notification | 4.4/5 |
| Fast approval | 4.4/5 |
| Billing | 4/5 |
| Wide network | 4.5/5 |
If you’re looking for a health insurance provider that will allow you to file claims through your fingertips, then you’ll probably love Pacific Blue Cross. You can just download their free mobile application, and submit claims with a few taps.
You can also use this application to search for further coverage details or even buy additional coverage anytime you please. So if you want to check how much dental balance you have left, that’s easy on the app!
We also used the application to track reimbursements without calling their hotline (a.k.a. putting on hold!).
It’s also great that you can easily add coverage, so no need to worry if a full coverage doesn’t suit your budget just yet. You can just choose to add whatever you please when you almost need it.
And in case their system or website is down though, someone from their client service team will be ready to assist you and walk you through the process.
Here’s an additional heads up too: their application has login issues at times, so refrain from resetting your password when it happens. It’s probably just down with a glitch.
Additionally, their refund process could take months, so manage your expectations if you’re going for this route.
Good client support system when online application is down
“Hi. Just had a very good experience witth the Tech Support gentleman who helped me. Was having all sorts of trouble submitting a fairly straightforward claim. The support person quickly talked and walked me through the online procedure and discovered I had not selected a particular action button that was necessary. It was not a button that was obvious to me at first, but … boom … everything worked perfectly and easily thereafter. Had not used the online claim system for a while so a bit rusty. Great support, Thank you!”
Eamon Grant, Google Review
Easy filing process
“ am impressed how easy is it to submit a claim, and get an answer right away. As a mother of a toddler would say “Good Job””
Jerry Groneberg, Google Review
4. Parent Super Visa Insurance
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Coverage plan | 4.5/5 |
| Packages for freelancers | 4.5/5 |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | 4.5/5 |
| Easy claiming process | 4.8/5 |
| Hassle-free notification | 4.8/5 |
| Fast approval | 4.8/5 |
| Billing | 4.8/5 |
| Wide network | 4.8/5 |
Their name may sound like they only know about immigration stuff, but Parent Super Visa Insurance also offers great health insurance coverage in Vancouver.
Well, their policies revolve around the Super Visa policy, so you need to be a Super Visa applicant to avail.
They’ve been extremely helpful when we got insurance for our parents before they moved here. We had several questions and concerns about their insurance policy, but they patiently answered everything.
We also love that they suggested cheapest policies that will cover all the necessary benefits that we wanted them to have.
When we had to file for a major claim, we’re quite impressed how smooth and easy the process was. We didn’t even have to pay upfront as our medical bills were paid on time.
Even better, they constantly send us updates so we don’t even have to check the hospital’s billing department if we still owe them anything. And in case you need to file for a refund, you’ll love that they easily process it without any complaint!
And here’s a pro tip: if you ever need to cancel your insurance policy, we’ve heard that they provide one of the best return policies in the industry.
I recently purchased health insurance for my wife, until she informed me that she got one without me knowing. I sent them an email (totally hesitant at first), but was surprised to get a full refund right away.
Got refunded on the same day
“Guys if you are looking for super visa insurance or visitors insurance go no further past 10 times I bought super visa insurance with parent super visa insurance team fantastic service I got refund within same day email confirmation was send quick and fast service, claims was super fast did claimed big one 100000 was paid team helped me right away it’s better insurance than any other companies compared highly recommend will have no issues at all tried them 10 times.”
Pardeep Singh Gill, Google Review
Easy renewal process
“My overall experience in renewing my mother’s insurance was excellent! Thanks to the MSG team.”
Sastry Bhagavatula, Google Review
5. GreenShield
Consumer Rating: C+
| Google review | 2.3/5 |
| Total reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Coverage plan | 4.8/5 |
| Packages for freelancers | 4.8/5 |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | 4.8/5 |
| Easy claiming process | 4.8/5 |
| Hassle-free notification | 4.8/5 |
| Fast approval | 4.8/5 |
| Billing | 4.9/5 |
| Wide network | 4.9/5 |
If you’re looking for an insurance company that focuses mainly on health then there’s GreenShield for you. We always see their countertop ads in dental clinics, so we had a good brand recall when a friend recommended them to us.
They don’t just focus on providing health insurance in Vancouver, they also offer other health-related management tools, like their mental health support. We recently signed up for their therapy and counselling, and they’ve been very respectful.
For those who can’t make it to their partner clinics, you can take advantage of their virtual care or telemedicine. We love that they have a convenient way of letting you maximize your health insurance policy.
In fact, they reinvest part of their sales to health programs, ensuring better support for their client’s different lifestyles.
To track your policy, you can just login to their website. Here, you can easily file claims, check current balance, or even chat with their client support team.
We also didn’t experience any delay when it comes to billing.
We’re just not too happy about GreenShield’s follow-up service. We even had to call them thrice just to check if they already applied changes to our current plan.
We also find their plan breakdown a bit confusing at first. Make sure to clarify every line item to avoid problems during claiming.
Short waiting period for calls
“Our organization switched from Blue Cross to Green Shield and I have had positive experiences in all my interactions with them. I appreciate the short wait times for calls; the friendly knowledgeable staff and their willingness to look up and point out benefits that I may have overlooked. My last conversation was with Cassandra, regarding coverage for a paramedical practitioner, namely a naturopathic doctor. She imparted information to help me make a decision (pros and cons) that sometimes is difficult to do when you’re muddling through everything else in life. A solid 5 stars from me!”
Eileen, Google Review
Easy coordination
“Surprised to see so many bad reviews! I’ve had Green Shield insurance for almost 2 years with no problems at all. Super easy to submit claims and co-ordinate with my HSA. They were a great help when I was moving from the USA and had many questions about my insurance plan.”
Nicole Doucette, Google Review
