Green Shield Canada Health Insurance Review (2023)
Did you know that over 70% of medical costs in Canada are not covered by your provincial healthcare plan? They need to be paid, therefore, out of your pocket or by a private healthcare plan.
Would you be able to pay for a hospital stay or complex dental work out of your savings? If not, it might be worth looking into which private health insurance is the best value for money.
In this review we will lay out the advantages and disadvantages of owning a Green Shield health insurance policy, we take you through what it covers, what add-ons there are and how to apply for Green Shield Canada health insurance.
For example
Green Shield: the basics
- Founded in 1957
- 1000+ employees
- More than 4.6 million clients
- Headquartered in Windsor, Ontario
- Offices in 8 Canadian cities
Our Green Shield Canada health insurance review: a great choice from a non-profit provider
Green Shield Canada, abbreviated GSC, is a non-profit insurance provider. Their 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. However, its dental insurance policy must be purchased separately or as an add-on.
Pros
- Excellent drug cover with an affordable price
- Comprehensive cover for health professionals
- Good deals for young people with low health needs needs
Cons
- Dental insurance is not automatically included
Before signing up for a health insurance plan with GSC, compare rates and coverage offerings from the best health and dental plans using our comparison tool.
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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 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.
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What does Green Shield Canada health insurance cover?
Green Shield Canada covers medical expenses that are not covered by your provincial healthcare. Take a look at the table below to see some GSC coverage levels.
Below we have laid out the amounts of coverage based on the level of health insurance plan:
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 |
What types of health insurance does GSC offer?
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 and ZONE plans for those who have not had health insurance before. 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.
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.
Interested in seeing how GSC compares to other leading insurance providers?
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What extras does Green Shield Canada health insurance offer?
GSC offers additional drug prescription coverages. If you choose to purchase this as an add-on you will pay higher monthly premiums but a higher percentage of prescription costs will be covered.
GSC also offers optional dental insurance coverage which you can add to your health insurance. Take a look at the section below for more details.
What does Green Shield Canada dental insurance cover?
Some of the health plans offered by Surehalth 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.
Some basic services include
- Exams
- Cleaning
- X-rays
- Fillings
Some major services include:
- Periodontal Services
- Major dental
We have laid out which treatments are covered by which health insurance plans in the table below.
Services | Link 1 | Link 2 | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone Fundamental |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximums (per person per year) |
|
|
| $450 | |
Recall frequency | 9 months | 9 months | 9 months | 9 months | |
Basic services | Plan pays 80% | Plan pays 80% | Plan pays 80% | Plan pays 70% | |
Major services | Plan pays 80% |
| Plan pays 80% | Plan pays 70% | |
Orthodontic services | Available in Year 3 – Plan pays 50% |
How to get Green Shield Canada health insurance?
Did you know you can get a quote for Canada's leading health insurance provider by using our health insurance comparison tool?
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You can request a Green Shield Canada personal health insurance quote by working with an insurance broker or requesting a quote through its website. Alternatively, you can speak to a representative directly by calling them at 1-844-855-7873 between Monday to Friday 8 am-6 pm ET.
Green Shield Canada health insurance login
To access your GSC account you will need to sign in via the GSC login portal. You can then use your GSC login email and password to access your online profile where you can manage your data, see any upcoming payments and keep track of appointments. You can also download an extended health claim form if you wish to upgrade your coverage.

Green Shield Canada health insurance customer service
GSC | Contact |
---|---|
Phone | 1-888-711-1119 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 8:30 pm ET. ) |
[email protected] |
How to cancel Green Shield Canada 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 GSC 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 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.
What are the best alternatives to Green Shield Canada health insurance?
In order to help you compare health insurance deals, we have included a quick summary of competitors below.
Our Blue Cross health insurance review: the most flexible choice
Blue Cross offers several plans that can include health benefits, drug, and dental coverage for you to choose from depending on what your health insurance needs are. Blue Cross provides an easy-access online portal which includes easy access to your benefit information and allows you to submit a claim online. Their plans allow for the optional add-ons of services such as critical illness coverage and hospital expenses.
Blue Cross private health insurance is intended for people who do not have access to a private group insurance plan, or if they would like additional benefits not offered by their employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage such as dental or medication-only coverage. For freelancers, there is the Blue Cross health insurance self-employed package. Blue Cross student health insurance is an affordable package for those in higher education or those who have recently graduated.
Pros
- Named Canada's most respected health insurance company in 2022 by the Most Respected Award Program
- Connected Care digital health platform
- Self-service options
- Submit claims online or via the app
- Mix and match plans as needed
Cons
- Some Blue Cross Canada health insurance reviews have criticized the customer service
- Dental coverage is limited
- Only available to Canadian citizens
Our CAA health insurance review: the best bundling discounts
The CAA, or the Canadian Automobile Associate, was founded more than 115 years ago. It is one of the largest not-for-profit automobile associations in Canada. It has been helping Canadians with a wide variety of products related to automobile services, but also offers insurance packages, including private health insurance. CAA health insurance has partnered with Manulife for over 20 years, allowing them to offer pre-packaged plans mix and match plans tailored to your specific health needs.
They have a 30-day guarantee where if you are not satisfied with the coverage you purchased, you may request a refund within 30 days of receiving your policy. CAA health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like to mix and match prescription and dental coverage. Note that you must have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage to apply for personal health insurance
Pros
- Ability to mix and match plans
- Discounts are available when you bundle health and dental
Cons
- No online claims submission
- Some CAA health insurance reviews have cited long wait times for dental treatment
Our Canada Life health insurance review: the best-guaranteed policies
Canada Life offers a variety of levels of health insurance, all with differing levels of coverage which are designed to suit your needs, including prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and more.
They have comprehensive optional add-ons for you to further personalize your health plan. They also offer a ten-day look-and-see period. You can cancel your policy with no penalty during the first ten days.
Canada Life health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage. Note that you must have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage to apply for personal health insurance.
Pros
- Multiple plans that offer guaranteed acceptance
- Quick and easy online quote and application
- Comprehensive optional coverage add-ons
Cons
- Travel medical insurance is not automatically included in their plans (it is an optional add-on)
- Some Canada Life health insurance reviews have noted long callback times
Our Desjardins health insurance review: the most inclusive choice
Desjardins is a leading provider of insurance in Canada. Their health insurance can be bundled with other insurance policies to save money. Compared to competitors, Desjardins premiums are slightly higher however they offer a wider range of coverages. That said, in some ways the company is behind some of its competitors as it does not offer the ability to sign up for a policy online.
Pros
- Dental, medical, vision and travel insurance included in the standard plan
- Online health platform and 24/7 telephones assistance
- High maximum coverage limits
- Enhanced hospital care
Cons
- A policy can only be issued on the 1st or 15th of the month
- Some Desjardins reviews critique the lack of online sign-up
- Plans not available after 70 years old
Our GMS health insurance review: the best online option
GMS health insurance offers plans ranging from basic coverage to comprehensive, 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 treatment coverage.
GMS health insurance 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.
Pros
- My GMS portal access
- Submit a claim online or via the app
- Counselling and speech therapy is covered in some plans
Cons
- Some GMS health insurance reviews have criticized the limited dental plan
- Some GMS health insurance coverage reviews have noted that hospital benefits are not automatically included
- Vision and travellers insurance are not included in the Basic plan
Make sure you find the right health insurance for you.
Compare coverage and rates of
Canada's best health insurance plans