Topic: Retirement · Part 11 of 13 · 🟡 Intermediate

In one sentence

Your provincial health plan covers doctor and hospital care, but not everything, so this post shows the extra programs that can help seniors with drugs, dental care, home care and travel.

Words to know

• Provincial health plan: the public health insurance run by your province or territory, such as OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia.
• Deductible: the amount you pay yourself each year before a program starts to pay.
• Co-payment: the part of each bill you still pay after the program pays its share.
• Adjusted family net income: your family’s net income from your tax return, with a few small adjustments. Many programs use it to decide who qualifies.

Step 1: Know what your provincial plan covers

Your provincial plan pays for medically necessary doctor visits and hospital care. In most provinces, it does not fully pay for prescription drugs outside hospital, dental care, eye glasses or hearing aids. Each province adds its own programs for seniors. Keep your health card valid, and update your address when you move.

Step 2: Check your province’s seniors’ drug program

Every province has some help with prescription drugs. Two examples:

• Ontario Drug Benefit: you join automatically on the first day of the month after you turn 65. Bring your health card to the pharmacy. You pay the first $100 of drug costs each program year (August 1 to July 31), then up to $6.11 per prescription. If your income is low, the Seniors Co-Payment Program can remove the $100 and lower the co-payment to up to $2. You must apply for that part.
• BC Fair PharmaCare: help is based on family income, not age. You register, and PharmaCare checks your income with the CRA. You pay a yearly deductible, then PharmaCare pays 70% of eligible costs. If anyone in the family was born in 1939 or earlier, it pays 75%. After you reach your family maximum, it pays 100% for the rest of the year.

Both programs need your tax returns. Filing every year, even with low or no income, keeps your help at the right level.

Step 3: See if you qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps pay for dental care. To qualify, you must meet all of these:

• Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
• You don’t have access to private dental insurance, including through a job, a pension plan or a family member.
• You and your spouse (if you have one) filed your tax returns in Canada for last year.
• You and your spouse are residents of Canada for tax purposes.

The qualify page lists no age limit. You apply online through My Service Canada Account, or by phone at 1-833-537-4342. Applications for 2026–2027 are open. You must confirm your eligibility every year.

What you pay depends on income. Below $70,000, there is no co-payment. From $70,000 to $79,999, you pay 40%. From $80,000 to $89,999, you pay 60%. Some dentists charge extra above the plan’s fees, so ask before treatment.

Step 4: Learn about home care

Each province offers government-funded home care if you qualify. In Ontario, for example, Ontario Health atHome assesses your needs and makes a care plan. Services can include nursing, physiotherapy and help with bathing and dressing. Some community services, like meals or transportation, may have a fee. You can also pay private companies for more help. Search your province’s website for “home care” to find the local office.

Step 5: Ask for seniors’ discounts

Many places offer lower prices for seniors. Ages differ, often 60 or 65. Common examples are public transit passes, museums, parks, recreation centres, movie theatres and some stores on set days. Always ask, and carry ID showing your age. Your city’s website usually lists local seniors’ programs.

Step 6: Buy travel insurance before you leave Canada

The Government of Canada says provincial plans rarely cover medical costs outside Canada. When they do, it is usually only a small part. For example, OHIP pays up to $400 a day for intensive hospital care abroad. A hospital stay in another country can cost much more. Buy travel health insurance before every trip, even a short one, like a visit to family in another country. Read the rules on pre-existing conditions, and tell the insurer about your health honestly. If you don’t, a claim can be refused.

Example

Two retirees each need dental work that costs $500 at the CDCP fee levels. Neither has private dental insurance.

• Person A, family income $60,000: below $70,000, so no co-payment. They pay $0, and the CDCP pays $500.
• Person B, family income $75,000: co-payment 40%. They pay $500 × 40% = $200. The CDCP pays $500 × 60% = $300.

If the dentist charges $550 instead of the $500 plan fee, each person also pays the extra $50.

Common mistakes

• Not filing taxes, so drug and dental programs can’t check your income.
• Assuming your provincial plan covers you on a trip abroad.
• Missing the Ontario Seniors Co-Payment Program, which you must apply for.
• Forgetting to renew yearly eligibility for the CDCP.

✅ My checklist

☐ My health card is valid and my address is up to date
☐ I found my province’s seniors’ drug program
☐ I checked whether I qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
☐ I know who to call about home care
☐ I buy travel health insurance before every trip

Next in this topic → Part 12: Wills and powers of attorney

Back to the topic → Retirement

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There are no affiliate or referral links in this post. This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice; everyone’s situation is different. Figures were checked in October 2026 and can change.

Sources: Ontario: Get coverage for prescription drugs · BC: Fair PharmaCare plan · Canada.ca: CDCP, do you qualify · Canada.ca: CDCP, how to apply · Canada.ca: CDCP, what is covered · Ontario: Home care for seniors · Travel.gc.ca: Travel insurance · Ontario: OHIP coverage while outside Canada