Canada’s health care system affords its residents some of the best care in the world. Through the provisions of the Canada Health Act of 1984, each province must meet particular standards in health care in order to receive federal funds for its system. With this aid, along with public tax money, Canada provides basic and specialty care for all of its residents, free of most charges. In addition, basic health care does not factor in any kind of deductible, and most co-pays are either negligible or non-existent. The administrative simplicity of the provincially-based Medicare systems is part of the reason they are extremely cost-effective.

But even with this publicly-funded system, many employees seek extra health care through employee benefit plans offered at their workplace. For this reason, half of Canadian businesses worry about the quality of care that their company offers its employees, and almost three-quarters of them are concerned about the cost of health care plans per employee.

Many companies seek group health benefit plans that offer low premiums and high quality care, as well as small business health insurance tax credits. Some of the most popular group benefit plans available separate disability and life insurance premiums from employee health premiums, and subtract the new administration costs from the current health benefit premium dollars. Once a company decides on the level of subsidized high-deductible insurance it wants, the remaining funds are transferred to each employee’s health benefit account. Other benefit plans that include Health Spending Accounts, also provide great coverage for employees, and also offer important small business health insurance tax credits.

With many different options available to Canadian residents and employees, Canadians can rest assured knowing that their health is taken care of. From basic doctor visits, to routine eye exams, to dental cleanings, a Canadian can manage every day health care needs without worrying about spending thousands of dollars. This is a luxury that not every country’s citizens have.