Find out more about how complementary health insurance works

Supplementary health insurance is a type of supplementary insurance that reimburses benefits to the insured if an illness covered by the policy is diagnosed.

Supplementary health insurance is designed to be used as a complement to health insurance, without however replacing it. It should not be your only source of medical coverage, as benefits are capped and the list of covered illnesses may be limited.

How does complementary health insurance work?

A complementary health à la carte has lists of specific illnesses for which benefits may be paid. Benefit amounts vary and can be lump sum, monthly or per treatment.

If an illness covered by the supplement is diagnosed, you will receive the cash benefits specified in the policy. Benefits are paid directly to you, and you can use the money however you want: to pay medical bills (deductible, copayment, coinsurance), other living expenses, or both.

Is complementary health insurance interesting?

The answer depends on your situation. If you have good primary health insurance and disability insurance, and you have saved enough money to cover your medical bills and other expenses while you are seriously ill, you may not need additional coverage.

On the other hand, if your primary medical insurance has high costs, a critical illness insurance policy can be a good addition to your overall coverage. Even with a solid health insurance plan, supplemental critical illness insurance can be a good supplement if the non-medical costs of a serious illness (like missed work, child care, and mortgage payments) are difficult to manage.

What is not covered by complementary health insurance?

Critical illness insurance policies are limited benefit plans and only pay benefits up to the policy’s predetermined limits. In most cases, these policies do not pay benefits for a pre-existing condition upon enrollment in the plan.

Supplementary health insurance does not cover any illness that is not included in the list of illnesses covered by the supplementary plan (these lists vary considerably from one supplementary plan to another). The policy also does not cover illnesses or circumstances that it specifically excludes, such as self-inflicted injuries, drug or alcohol abuse, illegal activities, acts of war, etc.