Leading providers such as Allianz, Cigna, IMG, GeoBlue, April International, William Russell, AXA, MSH International, VUMI, and Best Doctors Insurance offer some of the best international health insurance plans for expats in Canada. 

Canada’s renowned universal healthcare system, Medicare, provides extensive coverage for citizens, permanent residents, and certain work permit holders. However, expats are not always eligible for public healthcare upon arrival and may require private health insurance to bridge the gap.

In this Pacific Prime article, we will explore top international health insurance options for expats in Canada, examining key plan features and benefit limits. With the right plan in place, expats will be able to enjoy seamless access to high-quality healthcare both within Canada and abroad.

Best Canada Health Insurance for Expats

The following global health insurers are known for offering plans suited to expats living in Canada:

• Allianz
• Cigna Global
• IMG
• GeoBlue
• April International
• William Russell
• AXA
• MSH International
• VUMI
• Best Doctors Insurance

These providers are not listed in any particular order; rather, each offers spectacular coverage packages that allow expats to live in Canada with peace of mind. Let’s dig a little deeper into each insurer and their plan offerings.

All monetary values are presented in United States Dollars, unless otherwise stated. 

Allianz for Expats in Canada

As a globally recognized insurer operating in over 75 countries, Allianz Care offers reliable international health insurance solutions for expats in Canada. Their core plans—Allianz Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro—provide varying levels of coverage to suit different healthcare needs and budgets.

Plan highlights: 

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $2,500,000 to $5,000,000
  • 24/7 global support, Expat Assistance Program (EAP), and travel security services
  • Second medical opinion service
  • Worldwide coverage, with optional exclusion for the US, and optional Africa-only coverage
  • The basic coverage includes inpatient treatment, day-care treatment, pre- and post-hospitalization treatment, diagnostic tests, surgery expenses, local ambulance, medical evacuation, and a maximum of 42 days of emergency treatment outside the area of coverage

• Add-on options: 

• • Outpatient treatment
  • Dental care
  • Medical repatriation
  • Maternity care

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Care	$2,500,000
Care Plus	$4,000,000
Care Pro	$5,000,000

Cigna Global for Expats in Canada

Cigna Global delivers trusted international health insurance plans designed to suit the healthcare needs of expats living overseas. 

With a modular approach, expats can choose from three base levels of coverage—Silver, Gold, or Platinum—and enhance their plan with optional add-ons, creating a personalized package that aligns with their medical priorities and lifestyle abroad.

Plan highlights: 

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $1,000,000 to an unlimited amount
  • Worldwide coverage, with optional exclusion for the US
  • Basic coverage includes inpatient treatment, pandemic and epidemic, ambulance service, mental health care, cancer treatment, and newborn care
  • Maternity coverage is included in the Gold and Platinum plans

• Add-on options:

• • Outpatient care
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation
  • Vision and dental care
  • Health and well-being

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Silver	$1,000,000
Gold	$2,000,000
Platinum	Unlimited

IMG for Expats in Canada

IMG’s Global Medical plan is a customizable international health insurance option that features several coverage levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These plans stand out for the inclusion of coverage for inpatient treatment and other expat-oriented benefits.  

Plan highlights:

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000
  • Worldwide coverage, with optional exclusion of the US, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore, and Taiwan
  • Enhanced benefits, including emergency medical evacuation support, travel and medical concierge, and 24/7 multilingual support
  • The basic coverage includes inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgeon and surgery fees, diagnostic tests, cancer care, local ambulance, medical evacuation, and return of mortal remains

• The Platinum plan includes coverage for political evacuation and repatriation, dental, vision, maternity, and newborn care

• Add-on options:

• • Dental and vision care (for plans not included by default). 

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Bronze	$1,000,000
Silver	$5,000,000
Gold	$5,000,000
Platinum	$8,000,000

GeoBlue for Expats in Canada

GeoBlue’s international health insurance plans are ideal for American expats seeking comprehensive, high-limit coverage both in the US and abroad. Their plans—Xplorer Essential and Xplorer Premier—offer unlimited annual and lifetime coverage for treatment outside the US. 

However, the difference is in their US coverage:

•  Xplorer Premier offers worldwide coverage, including the US, with 80% coinsurance applied for the treatment received in the US. It also allows policyholders to travel to the U.S. specifically for medical care.
• Xplorer Essential covers care received outside the US only, with the option to add limited US coverage for short-term illness, accidents, and emergencies.

Plan highlights:

• • Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
  • Comprehensive support services, including responsive account management, online tools to assist with claims, and an extensive direct-billing network
  • Outside the US, basic benefits fully cover primary and preventive care, inpatient services, surgery expenses, diagnostic tests, ambulance service, in- and outpatient mental health, prescription drugs, medical evacuation, and pre-existing conditions 

• Add-on options:

• • Dental and vision care

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Xplorer Essential	Unlimited
Xplorer Premier	Unlimited

April International for Expats in Canada

MyHealth international health insurance by April International offers five different coverage levels: Emergency, Formule, Essential, Comfort, and Premium. These tiered coverages provide options for expats with varying healthcare needs. 

Plan highlights: 

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $250,000 to unlimited

• Worldwide coverage

• • Tech-supported services, including 24/7 telehealth service and a digital platform for policy and claims management
  • The Emergency plan provides an accessible option for expats who are primarily seeking protection for accidents and urgent medical situations, including medical repatriation—an offering that’s not commonly available from other providers
  • For higher-tier plans, the basic benefits include hospitalization for emergency and chronic illnesses and mental disorders, cancer treatment, and medical repatriation and transport 

• Add-on options: 

• • Outpatient treatment
  • Maternity care
  • Dental care
  • Optical care

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Emergency	$250,000
Formule	$500,000
Essential	$1,000,000
Comfort	Unlimited
Premium	Unlimited

William Russell for Expats in Canada

William Russell provides global medical coverage tailored for expats in Canada, featuring four main plan tiers: Gold, Silver, SilverLite, and Bronze. These options are designed to accommodate varying budgets and needs, allowing expats to select the level of protection that best suits them.

Plan highlights: 

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $1,500,000 to $5,000,000
  • Worldwide coverage, with seven flexible options for regional exclusions
  • A dedicated contact at William Russell to assist with your policy
  • 24/7 medical emergency line and travel safety application
  • The basic coverage includes inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, surgery expenses, local ambulance, cancer care, diagnostic tests, medical evacuation, repatriation of mortal remains, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy complications
  • The Gold plan includes coverage for routine maternity and dental care, mental health treatment, and wellness and vaccinations 

• Add-on options:

• • Routine maternity and dental care (for Silver and SilverLite only).

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Bronze	$1,500,000
SilverLite	$1,500,000
Silver	$2,500,000
Gold	$5,000,000

AXA for Expats in Canada

AXA offers a diverse selection of international health insurance plans tailored for expats, with options like Prestige Plus, Prestige, Comprehensive, Standard, and Foundation. 

Plan highlights: 

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $160,000 to $8,000,000
  • Excellent customer support, with services including second medical opinions, virtual doctors, and mind health services 
  • The basic benefits include inpatient hospital charges and surgery, emergency cover, cancer care, ambulance transport, diagnostic tests, medical evacuation, and repatriation 

• Higher-tier plans include coverage for non-routine dental care, outpatient treatment, and chronic conditions 

• Add-on options:

• • Outpatient treatment, tests, and vaccinations (for plans not included by default).

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Foundation	$160,000
Standard	$1,600,000
Comprehensive	$2,400,000
Prestige	$3,200,000
Prestige Plus	$8,000,000

MSH International for Expats in Canada

MSH International designed their First’Expat+ plans to provide comprehensive coverage for expats in Canada. The First’Expat+ plan core benefits come in four tiers of coverage: Hospi, Health, Health+, and Health+Child. 

After choosing your core benefits, you can further customize with four choices of annual limits and benefits: Quartz, Pearl, Sapphire, and Diamond.

Plan highlights:

• • Annual benefit limits range from $625,000 to $3,750,000

• Worldwide coverage, with five flexible plan zones 

• • 24/7 customer support and online claim management
  • Second medical opinion service and medical teleconsultation

• Customizable range of core benefits: 

• • Hospi: Covers hospital and medical evacuation
  • Health: Covers routine healthcare services, third-party liability, and legal assistance services
  • Health+: Covers vision and dental services
  • Health+ Child: Covers maternity services

Note: A higher level of coverage includes the benefits of the previous level

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Quartz	$625,000
Pearl	$1,250,000
Sapphire	$2,000,000
Diamond	$3,750,000

VUMI for Expats in Canada

VUMI provides comprehensive international health insurance through its Global Flex VIP plan, which is available in five tiers: Total, Ultra, Superior, Standard, and Basic. This tiered structure allows expats to select the coverage that best suits their healthcare needs and lifestyle in Canada.

Plan highlights:

• • Maximum benefit limits range from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000

• Worldwide coverage, with optional exclusion for geographical areas, including the US, Africa, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent

• Competitive customer services, including 24/7 multilingual support, second medical opinions, and patient concierge services 

• • Access to leading hospitals worldwide
  • The basic benefits include inpatient and outpatient treatment, psychiatric treatment, diagnostic tests, organ transplants, cancer care, medical evacuation, emergency dental treatment, maternity and birth complications, and HIV/AIDS 

• Optional add-on:

• • Wellness and optical benefits
  • Emergency and non-emergency evacuation to the country of choice, country of residence, and home country

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Basic	$3,000,000
Standard	$3,500,000
Superior	$4,000,000
Ultra	$4,500,000
Total	$5,000,000

Best Doctors Insurance for Expats in Canada

Best Doctors Insurance offers a wide range of international health insurance options for expats in Canada, with multiple plan choices designed to meet the diverse healthcare needs and lifestyles. 

Plan highlights: 

• Maximum benefit limits range from $1,000,000 to $10,000,000

• Worldwide coverage

• VIP-level customer support, including InterConsultation, Best Doctors Concierge, and Elite Navigator

• The basic benefits include hospitalization, intensive care, surgery expenses, emergency room, diagnostic tests, cancer care, emergency transportation, air ambulance, and prescribed medications 

• Optional add-on:

• • Critical Select: A lump-sum payout to support immediate costs and lifestyle changes in the event of a major illness like a stroke or heart attack

Plan	Annual Benefit Limit
Ultimate Care	$1,000,000
Medical Select	$1,000,000
Medical Care	$3,000,000
Global Care	$5,000,000
Premier Care	$7,000,000
Premier Plus	$7,000,000
Medical Elite	$10,000,000

Why Use a Broker for Health Insurance in Canada

Navigating health insurance as an expat in Canada can be complex, but working with an insurance broker can make the process significantly easier. Brokers are licensed experts who represent your best interests—not the insurance companies. 

Here’s how they can help:

• Expert Guidance: Brokers have in-depth knowledge of the Canadian healthcare system and the international health insurance market. They can help compare plans from different providers, explain your options in clear terms and help you understand what’s best for your needs.
• Tailored Plan Selection: A broker will personally assess your situation and recommend plans that match your healthcare requirements and budget.
• Price Negotiation: Brokers often have access to exclusive rates or can help negotiate premiums to ensure you’re getting the best value.
• Policy Management: From enrollment to renewals, brokers help manage the administrative side of your insurance policy so you don’t have to.
• Claims Assistance: If you need to make a claim, your broker can support you through the process and advocate on your behalf to resolve issues more efficiently.

Using a broker takes the guesswork out of health insurance and ensures you’re supported every step of the way.

Looking beyond Canada? Discover our expert guides on international health insurance in Senegal and Argentina to help you choose the right plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of having international health insurance as an expat in Canada?

International health insurance is crucial for expats in Canada to ensure timely, adequate, and comprehensive medical care, financial protection, and access to a wider range of health services beyond what the Canadian public system offers.

How do I choose the best health insurance plan for my needs in Canada?

To choose the best health insurance plan in Canada, evaluate your healthcare needs, compare coverage options, and review limits, exclusions, and premium costs. For tailored advice and help navigating your choices, consult a trusted insurance broker like Pacific Prime.

What are the different types of health insurance coverage available for expats in Canada?

Expats in Canada can access public healthcare (if eligible), local private insurance, and international health insurance. The right choice depends on individual needs—frequent travelers, for example, benefit most from international health insurance plans.

Conclusion

Moving to Canada? Don’t overlook health coverage. Despite universal healthcare, expats face waiting periods for provincial plans and gaps in dental, vision, and prescription coverage. International insurance bridges these gaps seamlessly.

With 25 years of experience as a trusted insurance broker, Pacific Prime can help expats in Canada secure tailored health insurance—whether they need international coverage, family plans, or short-term options—offering solutions that fit their specific needs and lifestyles.

Contact us today for a free plan comparison and expert, unbiased guidance.