Is Green Shield Canada Health Insurance Worth It? 2024 Review
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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, Green Shield Canada is a popular choice and it offers GSC Health and Dental insurance. But is it the right choice for you?
In this review, we take you through the various plans, coverage, and pros and cons of GSC health insurance, so you can decide for yourself if it's the best option for you. You also get to compare GSC with other health insurances and get quotes tailor-made for you using our free comparator tool.
6 Key takeaways on GSC Health Insurance
- Green Shield Canada (GSC) offers non-profit health insurance.
- The monthly premiums are generally $70-$140 for young, non-smokers.
- The policy premiums vary based on age, lifestyle, and health history.
- Dental insurance is not automatically included with basic GSC plans.
- Dental plans cover basic and major dental services.
- Use the HelloSafe comparison tool to compare other insurances and get instant quotes.
Our 2024 Green Shield Canada health insurance review: Extensive options for every budget
Green Shield Canada, also known as simply GSC, is a non-profit insurance provider. The GSC health insurance can be bundled with other insurance policies to save money.
Green Shield offers more affordable packages than some of its competitors, especially for younger customers who are currently in good health. This could be a great economical choice for non-smoking young adults.
However, its dental insurance policy must be purchased separately for basic plans or as an add-on. But it is one of those rare insurances that covers pre-existing conditions and does not require medical questionnaire for its basic plan.
Pros of GSC health insurance
- Excellent drug cover with an affordable price
- Comprehensive cover for health professionals
- Good deals for young people with low health needs needs
- Mental health services coverage
Cons of GSC health insurance
- Dental insurance is not automatically included in basic plans
You can get a quick quote from Green Shield Canada and find out details on coverage, other policy options available from GSC health insurance, and more.
What is the cost of Green Shield Canada health insurance?
GSC will offer you an individual quote based on your age, lifestyle, health history and several other factors. Your premium will be based on your specific profile and needs. Several factors will determine your Green Shield health insurance rates, including:
- age
- gender
- optional extras
- the number of lives on your plan (individual, family, etc.)
- smoker status
- lifestyle
Young non-smokers should expect to pay roughly around $70-140 for their monthly premiums. Surehealth insurance works with Green Shield Canada to cover Canadians who do not have access to health insurance via their work: freelancers, retired people and the unemployed.
What does Green Shield Canada health insurance cover?
Green Shield Canada covers medical expenses that are not covered by your provincial healthcare like Ontario Health Insurance Plan or MSP in BC, or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.
It offers several plans with varying degrees of coverage including Prism Spectra®, Prism Continuum®, and Prism Precision®. Each of these plans is further divided into four levels of coverage. For example, Prism Spectra® has S1, S2, S3, S4, while Prism Continuum® has C1, C2, C3, C4, and Prism Precision® has likewise.
These levels are to ensure that there is a plan to suit every budget and every need of different customer groups. Here's an overview table on Prism Continuum®, Prism Spectra®, and Prism Precision® benefits for its most basic and comprehensive plans.
| Plan Type | Healthcare | Coverage (Basic) P1/S1/C1 | Coverage P4/S4/C4 (Comprehensive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prism Precision® | Prescription Drugs Dental Eye examinations Accidental Dental Travel |
$50 every 24 months $5,000 per year $5,000,000 per year – 10 days per trip |
Basic - 80%, Major - 50% $65 every 24 months $5,000 per year $5,000,000 per year – 15 days per trip |
| Prism Spectra® | Prescription Drugs Dental Eye examinations Accidental Dental Travel | 90% $50 every 24 months $5,000 per year $5,000,000 per year – 15 days per trip | 90% Basic - 80%, Major - 50% $80 every 24 months $10,000 per year $5,000,000 per year – 30 days per trip |
| Prism Continuum® | Prescription Drugs Dental Eye examinations Accidental Dental Travel | 80% $50 every 24 months $2,500 per year $5,000,000 per year – 10 days per trip | 80% Basic - 80%, Major - 60% $300 every 24 months $10,000 per year $5,000,000 per year – 15 days per trip |
For the complete policy details, download the PDF below.
You could try our easy-to-use comparator to compare coverage of GSC health insurance with other insurances to see how it fares and if it suits your needs. All you need to do is give some basic questions on what you want and voila you get your quotes in seconds.
Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans in Seconds
What are the other plans offered by GSC health insurance?
Surehealth collaborates with Green Shield Canada to provide health insurance to those who cannot access health insurance through their jobs. They offer LINK plans for those whose work health insurance is about to end and ZONE plans for those who have not had health insurance before.
| Services | Link 1 | Link 2 | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone Fundamental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Year 1: $500 Year 2: $650 Year 3+: $800 | Year 1: $750 Year 2: $900 Year 3+: $1,100 | Year 1: $550 Year 2: $600 Year 3+: $650 | ||
| Vision care | $150 per person every 2 years | $200 per person every 2 years | $150 per person every 2 years | $150 per person every 2 years | $150 per person every 2 years |
| Ambulance Transportation | |||||
| Medical services (per person per year) | $1,500 | $2,500 | Year 1: $2,000 Year 2: $3,000 Year 3: $4,000 Year 4+: $5,000 | Year 1: $2,000 Year 2: $3,000 Year 3: $4,000 Year 4+: $5,000 | Year 1: $1,500 Year 2: $2,000 Year 3: $3,000 Year 4+: $4,000 |
| Psychologist and therapist | $600 | $600 | $300 | $400 | $400 |
It must be noted that the premiums change based on individual health, age, pre-existing conditions, and lifestyle. To give you an idea of the different levels of coverage within these plans, we have laid out the different levels of coverage for a self-employed 30-year-old living in Toronto, Ontario.
Note that health insurance Ontario may be different from health insurance in BC.
| Features | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone Fundamental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $70/month | $132/month | $109/month |
| Guaranteed Acceptance | |||
| Prescription Drugs | |||
| Dental Care | |||
| Travel | |||
| Optional Hospital Accommodation |
If you want to look into the Zone plans in greater detail, take a look at the full terms and conditions below. If you have recently lost your health insurance and are looking for a new one then the Link plan might be better suited to your needs.
What does Green Shield Canada dental insurance cover?
Some of the health plans offered by Surehealth and GSC include dental insurance. At the most basic, this will cover accidental dental damage and part of routine check-ups. The more comprehensive plans will also cover major dental reconstructions and surgeries.
While Canada’s public system covers lots of healthcare needs, access to dental care is not included. Dental care 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.
Dental insurance coverage under GSC plans
We have laid out which treatments are covered by which health insurance plans in the table below:
| Plan | Dental Coverage |
|---|---|
| Prism Continuum® | Basic: Preventative cleaning and polishing, routine exam, x-ray, filling, extractions, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, general anaesthetics Coverage: 80% |
| Prism Continuum® | Comprehensive Basic: Periodontal treatment, endodontics, denture cleaning, repairs, rebasing, relining Coverage: 80% throughout |
| Prism Continuum® | Major Services: Dentures (full/partial), standard crowns, standard bridges Coverage: 50% starting in 3rd benefit year |
| PrismSpectra® | Basic: Preventative cleaning and polishing, routine exam, x-ray, filling, extractions, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, general anaesthetics. Coverage: 80% |
| PrismSpectra® | Comprehensive Basic: Periodontal treatment, endodontics, denture cleaning, repairs, rebasing, relining Coverage: 60% in first 12 months, 70% in next 12 months, 80% thereafter |
| PrismSpectra® | Major Services: Dentures (full/partial), standard crowns, standard bridges Coverage: 50% starting in the 3rd benefit year |
| Prism Precision® | Basic: Preventative cleaning and polishing, routine exams, x-ray, filling, extractions, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, general anaesthetics. Coverage: 70% |
| Prism Precision® | Comprehensive Basic: Periodontal treatment, endodontics, denture cleaning, repairs, rebasing, relining. Coverage: 60% in first 12 months, 70% in next 12 months, 80% thereafter |
| Prism Precision® | Major Services: Dentures (full/partial), standard crowns, standard bridges. Coverage: 50% starting in 3rd benefit year |
How to get Green Shield Canada health insurance?
You can request a Green Shield Canada personal health insurance quote by working with an insurance broker or requesting a quote through its website. You must understand Green Shield Canada benefits offered under their different policies before buying.
Alternatively, you can speak to a representative directly by calling them at the Green Shield Canada phone number 1-844-855-7873. This Green Shield Canada contact is available for queries between Monday to Friday 8 am-6 pm ET.
You could also use our comparator below to get tailor-made quotes from Green Shield Canada based on your unique needs, and in just a few seconds. You can also use this tool to compare GSC health insurance with other insurances to see how it fares and if it is indeed what you're looking for.
Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans in Seconds
Green Shield Canada Login
To access your GSC account you will need to do a valid green shield canada sign in via the GSC login portal. You can then use your Green Shield Canada login email and password to access your online profile where you can manage your data, see any upcoming payments and keep track of appointments.
Green Shield Canada customer service
You can use the following Green Shield Canada contact to get in touch with the GSC health insurance customer service. An agent will respond to you and answer any questions you may have regarding policies. There might be a slight waiting time over the phone or a delay in response over emails when there are a high number of requests.
| GSC | Contact |
|---|---|
| Green Shield Canada Phone number | 1-888-711-1119 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 8:30 pm ET. ) |
| GSC Email | [email protected] |
How to file a Green Shield Canada claim?
To file a GSC health insurance claim, you need to obtain the necessary documentation like receipts, invoices, and supporting documents related to your medical expenses. The next step is to complete the Green Shield Canada claim form that you can download below. Make sure to have your Green Shield Canada policy number ready.
You can submit the claim form in the following ways:
- Online: You can fill the claim form and upload it on the GSC website using your Green Shield Canada login under the claims section.
- Mobile claims: Alternatively, you could also use the Green Shield Canada app called GSC everywhere and upload your claim form there.
If your claim is approved, you will receive reimbursement for eligible expenses according to your plan coverage and limits.
How to cancel GSC health insurance?
You can call the GSC health insurance phone number at 1-888-711-1119 or email [email protected]. They are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm ET.
Call Green Shield Canada at 1-888-711-1119 to inquire about cancelling your plan. Alternatively, you can make an appointment through the Green Shield Canada website to speak to a representative in person.
Can I get Green Shield Canada travel health insurance?
You must check your specific plan to know if travel insurance is included. Travel insurance is particularly important in Canada because provincial health insurance plans like the MSP BC health insurance, cover less once you are out of your home province. This means expenses can quickly get out of control if you have an accident or get sick while travelling.
If you are abroad then you may not have full access to healthcare services if you do not have an insurance plan in place. In some countries, the USA for example, you may have to pay for any medical treatment you need before you are treated.
As of this year, GSC is extending travel coverage to all group healthcare plans. If you have an individual healthcare plan you can purchase travel insurance as an optional add-on or purchase a GSC extended health plan.
