Intro: Two Plans? Twice the Power — If You Know the Rules (Maximize Coverage Without Confusion)
Here’s a scenario:
You have insurance through work.
Your spouse has a separate plan too.
So… can you use both?
✅ Yes.
But here’s what most Canadians don’t know:
You need to coordinate your benefits correctly — or risk delays, denials, or even fraud flags.
In this article, we’ll show you how to legally and strategically use two (or more) insurance plans at the same time — so you get more coverage, less out-of-pocket cost, and zero headaches.
🧩 How Coordination of Benefits (COB) Works
Coordination of Benefits (COB) is the industry-approved process of using two or more plans to cover the same healthcare expense.
Each plan pays its share — usually up to 100% total — but in a strict order.
Person Receiving Treatment
Submit to…
You (employee)
Your plan first → then your spouse’s
Your spouse
Their plan first → then yours
Your child
Parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year → then other parent’s plan
✅ Example: RMT Massage Visit Using Two Plans
Your massage is $120.
Plan A (your employer) covers 80% → $96
Plan B (your spouse) covers the balance → $24
You pay: $0 out of pocket BUT only if you follow the right steps 👇
🧾 How to Submit Claims to Two Plans (Step-by-Step)
Submit to your primary plan first
Get the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer
Submit the unpaid portion to your second plan
Include the EOB + original receipt
Repeat each time you claim
Each claim must be tracked separately
Never submit the same receipt to two plans at once