When should I apply for health insurance?

One should consider applying for Health Insurance in the following cases:

1. Ideally, when you are young and have relatively little health history.
2. When you turn age 21, and are no longer a 'dependent' under your parents plan. This could be turning age 25 if you were a full-time student attending post-secondary (depending on which plan your parents have).
3. When you become a Canadian citizen and are covered by a provincial government health care plan.
4. When you leave your employer and lose your employee group benefits (applying within 60-days is best).
5. When you separate from a spouse and need to find your own plan.
6. When you are going self-employed.
7. When your employee group benefits are underwhelming and you wish to supplement with your own plan.