Why Young Adults Should Not Delay Getting Health Insurance in Canada

 In Canada, healthcare is often associated with being a right, thanks to Medicare, the country's universal public health system. While this system ensures that most basic healthcare services are covered for Canadian residents, it doesn’t cover everything. Many young adults assume that because they are healthy and don't require frequent medical care, they can put off purchasing health insurance. However, delaying health insurance can have long-term consequences. In this article, we’ll explore why young adults should not delay getting health insurance in Canada and the benefits of having coverage, even if you're healthy.

1. Basic Healthcare Doesn't Cover Everything

Canada’s public healthcare system, Medicare, provides essential healthcare services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgeries. However, it doesn't cover all medical needs. Some essential services like dental care, vision care, and prescription medications may require private insurance.

Why It’s Important:

• Dental and Vision Care: These are two of the most common health services that are not fully covered by Medicare. Young adults may assume they don’t need them, but dental checkups and vision care are essential for maintaining good health. Private insurance can cover these gaps, ensuring that you don't face high out-of-pocket costs when it comes to dental cleanings, glasses, or corrective surgery like LASIK.

• Prescription Medications: If you need regular prescriptions for conditions like acne, asthma, or even birth control, these costs can quickly add up without insurance. Private health insurance can help cover these ongoing expenses.

2. Preventive Care and Early Detection

As a young adult, you might feel invincible, but health problems can arise unexpectedly. Many chronic conditions begin in young adulthood, and getting coverage early means having access to preventive care and screenings that can catch health issues before they become more serious.

Why It’s Important:

• Health Screenings: Regular check-ups, screenings for certain cancers (like cervical and breast cancer), and mental health support can help you stay ahead of any emerging issues. Many insurance plans cover preventive services such as vaccinations, routine blood tests, and STD testing.

• Chronic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health issues often have no obvious symptoms at the start. Having health insurance can ensure that you're regularly monitored and that you have access to necessary treatments if you develop a chronic illness.

3. Access to Specialized Care

Even if you’re healthy now, you never know when an injury or unexpected illness could require specialized care. While Medicare provides access to doctors, the wait times for specialists in Canada can be long, especially for non-urgent issues.

Why It’s Important:

• Private Health Insurance for Quicker Access: Private health insurance allows you to access private specialists and services, reducing waiting times significantly. Whether it’s seeing a physiotherapist after an injury, getting a second opinion from a specialist, or receiving urgent care in a private clinic, having private insurance means quicker access to the care you need when you need it.

• Emergency Care: In the case of unexpected accidents or illnesses, emergency care might not be fully covered by Medicare, particularly if you are traveling outside your province or internationally. Having health insurance ensures you’re covered in case of an emergency.

4. Financial Protection Against Unexpected Health Costs

Health-related expenses can be financially overwhelming, especially for young adults who may not have large savings or are just starting their careers. Even with public healthcare, there are costs that can drain your finances, including hospital stays, emergency care, and medications.

Why It’s Important:

• Lowering Your Financial Risk: By delaying getting health insurance, you are exposing yourself to potential high out-of-pocket costs for healthcare that may not be covered by Medicare. For example, if you have an accident or unexpected illness, the costs associated with hospitalization or surgery could be substantial.

• Affordability of Private Health Insurance: Young adults typically pay lower premiums for health insurance, especially if they are healthy. Insuring yourself early helps lock in lower rates for the future. As you age, your premiums may increase, and if you develop health conditions, you may be required to pay higher premiums or even face exclusions.

5. Mental Health Support

Mental health has become a growing concern, especially for young adults, with conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders on the rise. Having access to mental health support is crucial, and private health insurance can be a key factor in ensuring you get the help you need when you need it.

Why It’s Important:

• Therapy and Counseling: Many young adults are hesitant to seek therapy due to the cost. While public healthcare does provide basic mental health support, private insurance can cover therapy sessions, counseling, and mental health treatments with less wait time. If you ever need help with mental health, having insurance ensures you can get timely care.

• Psychiatric Care: Access to psychiatrists and treatments such as medication or group therapy can be vital for long-term mental health management.

6. Life Changes and Family Planning

As young adults move through life, they may experience major changes such as getting married, starting a family, or relocating. These life events often come with increased healthcare needs, such as maternity care, pediatric care, and family health services.

Why It’s Important:

• Maternity Care and Newborn Coverage: Many private health insurance plans offer comprehensive maternity care and coverage for newborn care, which is not always fully covered by Medicare. These services can include everything from prenatal care, childbirth, and post-delivery services for both the mother and the baby.

• Family Health Coverage: If you plan on having children or already have dependents, adding them to your health insurance plan early on can ensure you have access to the care your growing family needs.

7. Access to Travel Insurance

If you’re someone who enjoys traveling, whether it’s for work or leisure, having health insurance can be crucial, especially when you’re abroad. Medicare doesn’t cover healthcare expenses when you’re outside of Canada, and private health insurance can help fill that gap.

Why It’s Important:

• Emergency Health Coverage While Abroad: Private health insurance often includes travel health coverage for emergencies when you’re overseas. This means that if you get sick or injured while traveling, you won’t have to pay for potentially expensive medical bills out of pocket.

• Peace of Mind: Having travel insurance as part of your private health plan offers peace of mind, knowing that you’re covered no matter where life takes you.

8. Setting Up for Long-Term Financial Security

By purchasing health insurance at a young age, you’re also taking proactive steps toward securing your long-term financial health. Having health insurance will protect you from unexpected medical expenses, which can otherwise derail your financial plans.

Why It’s Important:

• Long-Term Health Security: As you age, your healthcare needs will change. Purchasing health insurance early locks in a low premium rate for future years. If you wait too long to get coverage, you may face higher premiums or be excluded from certain health plans due to pre-existing conditions.

• Building Healthy Habits: Having insurance helps you prioritize your health by ensuring that you have access to regular checkups and the care you need to stay healthy over time. This can translate into better long-term health outcomes and fewer healthcare costs in the future.

Conclusion: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

As a young adult in Canada, the decision to delay health insurance might seem harmless at first, but it comes with long-term risks. While the public healthcare system offers essential coverage, private health insurance can fill in the gaps, providing you with access to preventive care, specialist services, mental health support, and more. By investing in health insurance now, you not only protect yourself from future health costs but also set yourself up for better overall health in the years to come.