Is GMS Health Insurance Worth It? 2023 Review

Did you know that over 30% of medical costs in Canada are not covered by your provincial healthcare? Most families end up paying this out of the pocket leaving them with a huge financial burden. That's why it's essential to have a good private health insurance.

Among the many insurance providers in the country, GMS Health Insurance is one of the options you could consider. But is it the right choice for you?

In this review, we take you through the various plans, coverage, and pros and cons of GMS health insurance, so you can decide if it's the best option for you. You also get to compare GMS with other health insurances and get quotes tailor-made for you using our free comparator.

Our GMS health insurance review: Comprehensive Coverage

GMS offers plans ranging from basic coverage to comprehensive health insurance, all of which have the option to add dental benefits and/or drug benefits. With GMS, you will be able to tailor a plan to fit your health needs.

They have a comprehensive online portal, My GMS, which allows for easy access to your benefit information and the ability to submit a claim online. Their travel insurance for certain plans automatically adds Covid-19 treatment coverage.

GMS health insurance Canada is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, starting your own business, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage.

If you think GMS is the right fit for you or would like to give it a try, you can now get a quote from GMS health insurance and get a policy that suits your unique health needs and budget the best.

What is the cost of GMS health insurance?

A 24-year-old living in Ontario opting for a BasicPlan with Basic drug coverage and dental could expect to pay $83.25 per month. Your premium will be based on your individual circumstances. GMS will weigh a number of factors to determine your premium such as:

• Age
• Gender
• Addition of optional benefits
• The number of lives on your plan (individual, family, etc.)
• Smoker status

To make sure you are getting the best plan for the best price, you must first establish what you want from your health insurance policy. Take a look at the table below to see some of the variables affecting pricing.

Non-smoker, Ontario*	BasicPlan	ExtendaPlan	OmniPlan
30-year-old man	$7.25 / month	$25 / month	$55 / month
50-year-old man	$7.75 / month	$26.25 / month	$58.75/Month
30-year-old woman	$7.25 / month	$25 / month	$55 / month
50-year-old woman	$7.75 / month	$26.25 / month	$58.75 / month

*This assumes that the purchaser is covered by the Ontario provincial health plan (OHIP)

We recommend that you compare the prices of GMS with other health insurers to make sure it is the right fit for you. All you need to do is use our comparator below to compare the coverages of the best health insurances in Canada and also get quotes in no time.

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What is GMS health insurance coverage?

GMS health insurance pays for expenses that are not covered by your provincial healthcare like the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and the MSP in BC. Here is a table on the main expenses that GMS coverage includes:

Coverage	Explained
Prescription drugs	Covers the partial cost of prescription medicines
Physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists	Covers the use of paramedical services
Vision care	Partially covers cost of eye healthcare and lenses
Nursing and ambulance services	Covers transport to hospital and after-hospital care
Therapeutic equipment (orthotics, prosthetics, etc.)	Covers the cost of medical equipment you may need
Travel insurance	Covers healthcare costs while out of your province.

GMS also offers 24/7 phone contact with a medical professional, complimentary travel advice and the right to a second medical opinion all included in all their health insurance packages.

What types of health insurance does GMS offer?

GMA offers three plans:

• BasicPlan
• ExtendaPlan
• OmniPlan

Drug, dental and hospital cash can be added to all plans including additional travellers insurance. All plans have various reimbursements for health practitioners such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, podiatrists, massage therapists, naturopaths, dietitians, osteopaths and physiotherapists.

Treatment	BasicPlan	ExtendaPlan	OmniPlan
Vision		80% to $200 per 2 years combined	90% to $250/2 years for frames/lenses $90/eye exam/2 years
Health Practitioners	70% to $250 combined maximum	80% to $350 combined maximum	90% to $300 per health practitioner
Counselling Services		A combined maximum of $65 per visit for 10 visits per person, per policy year.	A combined maximum of $65 per visit for 15 visits per person, per policy year.
Annual Travel		48 or 63 days of coverage outside Canada 183 days in Canada $2,000,000 annual maximum $500,000 COVID-19 coverage within the policy's annual maximum	30 days coverage outside Canada 183 days in Canada $2,000,000 annual maximum $500,000 COVID-19 coverage within the policy's annual maximum
Preferred Hospital Room	$500 per person per year	$1,000 per person per year	45 days up to $3,500 per person per year

To learn more on what GMS Health Insurance offers, you can download the GMS brochures below for their full policy details.

What extras does GMS health insurance offer?

GMS allows you to add on travel insurance, hospital cash and drug benefits so that your plan has more coverage. Take a look at the table below to see what extras might be interesting to you.

Extra	What it covers
Basic Prescription Drugs	Generic prescription drugs Birth control
Enhanced Prescription Drugs	Generic prescription drugs Birth control Up to $800 for medicines not on your provincial drug list
Hospital Cash	$100 a day to cover hospital stay expenses
Annual Travel	Travel Emergency Medical coverage protects multiple trips over the year

What does GMS dental insurance cover?

While Canada’s public system covers lots of healthcare needs, access to dental care is not included. Provincial health care plans like the OHIP, Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, and MSP have limited coverage when it comes to dental care.

Dental insurance is important to one’s overall health. Since it can be a major expense, too many people skip preventive treatment. That is a mistake, as regular preventive care helps prevent gum disease, which is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it can help you to detect other medical complications early.

A supplemental insurance plan can help, here is what GMS offers:

Year	Basic Services	Major Services	Up to combined reimbursement
Year 1	75%		$500
Year 2	80%	50%	$750
Year 3	80%	50%	$1,000

To get the best policy that suits your needs both financially and in terms of health needs, it's important to compare multiple insurances. You could do that by simply using our comparator tool below and get quotes from the best health insurance providers and policies with pricing and covering information. And the best part is that it takes only a few seconds.

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How to get GMS health insurance?

You can request a GMS personal health insurance quote by working with an insurance broker, requesting a quote through GMS's website or calling the GMS health insurance phone number at 1-800-667-3763.

GMS health insurance login

You can register to create an account with My GMS which will give you access to your personal portal where you can submit or track a claim, find more information about your coverage and eligibility, and also check balances.

GMS health insurance customer service

You can contact GMS at 1-800-667-3699. They are available Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm CST. You can also email them at: [email protected] and they will answer any queries you may have. You could expect a slight delay in responses in case of high volume of queries.

How can I make a claim with GMS?

You can skip the claims process by using your GMS Pay-Direct card directly at your pharmacy, dentist, health or vision practitioner. If you do need to file a claim, you can do so by accessing their online portal or by submitting a paper claim.

You may also do so by completing and sending the claims form to the following address: Claims at Group Medical Services, 2055 Albert Street, PO Box 1949, Regina, SK S4P 0E3.

How to cancel health insurance GMS?

Contact GMS at 1-800-268-3763 to inquire about cancelling your plan. Note that there is a 24-month waiting period to get new coverage again with GMS. Make sure you read the policy or check with the GMS customer care on any charges that might apply in case of cancellation.

However, we recommend not cancelling health insurance considering the high costs associated with many essential services like even mental therapy that are not covered by provincial health insurance plans.

Can I get GMS travel health insurance?

You will have to check your specific plan to know if travel insurance is included. Travel insurance is a wise investment because provincial health insurance plans cover less once you are out of your home province. This means expenses can quickly escalate out of control if you become unwell or suffer an accident while travelling.

If you are travelling abroad then you may not have any access to any health care services at all without having an insurance plan in place. In some countries, such as the USA, you will have to pay upfront for any medical treatment that you need. If you are not already protected, you can either purchase a travel add-on to your health insurance policy or buy GMS travel insurance as a separate insurance policy.