GSC Health Insurance Review

The Canadian government health plan gives you access to basic medical care, but it doesn’t cover everything. With quality healthcare being expensive, you may find yourself in financial difficulty in the event of a medical emergency, despite your provincial health plan.

This is where personal health insurance can come in. It covers medical expenses not covered by your provincial or group health plan and ensures you have access to quality healthcare without dipping into your life savings.

If you don’t have a personal health insurance policy yet, Green Shield Canada could be an option. Read our in-depth review to find out about its health insurance coverage, pros and cons, and whether it is the best fit for you and your family.

Our Green Shield Canada Health Insurance Review

Green Shield Canada, or GCS for short, offers a wide range of health insurance plans, including several guaranteed issue plans for which you cannot be rejected.

All of their plans include emergency medical travel expenses, vision care, registered therapists and specialists. Their health insurance products are customizable, meaning you can tailor a plan to suit your needs. GSC health insurance is a good option for anyone who does not have group health insurance or needs more coverage than offered by their group plan.

Pros

• Choose from a variety of plans with different coverage levels
• Offers both guaranteed issue and medically- underwritten health insurance plans
• Mental health services coverage included
• Covers pre-existing illnesses

Cons

• Dental insurance is available only as a paid add-on with some plans

Green Shield Canada Health Insurance Products

GSC health insurance reduces your out-of-pocket medical costs by covering expenses that are not covered by your government plan. It offers a variety of plans with different coverage levels, including Prism Spectra, Prism Precision, and Prism Continuum. All of the Prism Plans offer four different levels of coverage, so regardless of your needs and budget, you’ll likely find GSC has the perfect solution for you and your family.

Here’s a brief overview of the level of coverage offered by different Prism plans.

Prism Continuum

If you have recently lost your group health benefits or are set to lose them in immediate future, Prism Continuum may be the prefect solution for you. It offers guaranteed coverage (no medical exam or questionnaire) as long as you apply within 90 days of losing group health & dental benefits. Pre-existing illnesses are covered.

What other health insurance plans does Green Shield Canada offer?

GSC offers two additional health insurance products — Link and Zone — to those who don’t have access to health benefits at work. The Link and Zone plans are offered in collaboration with Surehealth.

The Link plans provide comprehensive health insurance coverage options without medical underwriting to those who face losing their company health insurance due to career change, job loss, or retirement. The Zone plans, on the other hand, are aimed at people who have never had health insurance before. They include both guaranteed issue and medically underwritten plans.

What is covered by Green Shield Canada health insurance?

Green Shield Canada health insurance typically cover expenses such as:

• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Extended health care (psychologist, physiotherapist, naturopath, osteopath, chiropodist, ambulance transportation, speech therapist, hearing aids etc.)
• Medical services (X-rays, diagnostic tests, lab tests, etc.)
• Hospital accommodation (private or semi-private room)
• Emergency medical travel

The exact benefits provided vary from one GSC health insurance plan to another. Read the policy document or speak to an insurance advisor to find out what your plan covers.

How much does Green Shield Canada health insurance cost?

Green Shield Canada health insurance premiums are usually competitive. However, since health insurance premiums are unique to the person applying for coverage, everyone’s quote will be different. GSC will weigh a whole lot of different factors to determine your monthly premium rate, including:

• Age
• Medical history
• Gender
• Smoker status
• Number of people included in the plan
• Additional benefits

The easiest way to make sure you get a fair price for your coverage is to speak to an independent insurance advisor. An insurance specialist will compare prices and policies across the market to help you find the plan that gives you the best value for money.

What does Green Shield dental insurance cover?

Some GSC health insurance plans also provide dental insurance cover. If you have this cover, you first pay your dentist for any treatment received and then claim all or part of your dental care expenses from GSC. The dental coverage levels vary between plans, with some covering only routine treatment (e.g. dental X-rays and check ups), while others include both routine treatment and restorative treatments, like fillings.

GSC dental insurance is not likely to cover a treatment that has been identified as necessary before you enrolled. It is important to know what your plan does and does not cover before you sign up.

How to apply for Green Shield Canada health insurance?

You can apply for GSC health insurance cover online or through an insurance advisor.

Why Green Shield Canada health insurance may be right for you?

Green Shield Canada offers many health insurance plans to choose from, including several guaranteed issue plans. In addition, it gives you the option to buy online, from a friendly partner, or through an advisor. You may want to consider Green Shield Canada health insurance if:

• You have recently lost or are about to lose your group health benefits
• You want more protection than offered by your group health insurance plan
• You don’t have access to health benefits at work

Conclusion

GSC health insurance helps you pay for unexpected health expenses not covered by your government health plan. The insurer offers a variety of health plans, all of which are customizable and automatically include vision care, emergency travel health care, and medical services. Whether you are looking to replace your existing group health insurance cover, buy your first health insurance plan, or purchase a plan that offers comprehensive dental care and prescription drugs cover, GSC has something for you.

However, since health insurance premiums vary between insurance companies, it is best to compare GSC health insurance premium rates with other insurers. Dundas Life does the hard work for you, comparing deals with the biggest providers in Canada, so you can get the best value for money. Get your personalized, free, and no-obligation health insurance quotes today.

FAQs

How can I file a claim with GSC health insurance?

If you have a GSC health insurance plan and need to file a claim, you can do so online or via their mobile app or mail.

Can I add my dependents to my GSC health insurance plan?

Yes, GSC health insurance plans generally allow you to add dependents, such as spouses or children, to your coverage. The process and eligibility criteria may vary, so it's recommended to check with GSC for the specific details.

Does GSC health insurance provide coverage when traveling abroad?

GSC offers travel medical insurance cover with all its plans. The exact coverage, however, may vary between its plans. Read the policy document or speak to an advisor to find out what your plans covers and what it doesn’t.