Manulife Group Benefits Insurance Reviews

My employer switched from GWL to Manulife a few months ago for benefits coverage. Apparently Manulife was significantly cheaper for the employer and nothing would change in terms of our benefits. This has not been true. From my perspective and based on my terrible experiences thus far, the reason that they are cheaper is because the employees are now paying for the difference. For example, Manulife has disallowed registered massages because the massage therapist obtained their certification in BC instead of in AB where they practise. This was frustrating because Manulife and my employer did not document this absurd requirement anywhere and now. My employer indicated that they were not aware of this policy so they actually refunded me for the massage. They have told me to get all of the details regarding the Reg Massage Therapist before I book a massage which is such a pain and creates extra stress. In addition, Manulife's website is down on weekends. On Sat, you cannot submit claims after 8pm and Sun, after 5pm. As a parent that works fulltime, it is very difficult to make time to process these claims except on weekends after my young kids have gone to bed. For me, I have actually stopped using my benefits because the thought of trying to process the claim and what Manulife will come back with causes me instant anxiety. Ugh

My fiance has a policy through her work. Last year she had hernia surgery because of her job. Her claim took a long time to process Manulife "didn't receive" the forms that were faxed/emailed to them even though there were confirmations of the forms being sent 2 or 3 times. After her surgery and some healing time, she was forced back to work to early. Her surgeon's and general practitioner's reports stated she was not ready to return to work. Manulife's docotor (who only read reports) overrode these reports stating he saw no reason for her to be off work so Manulife cut her benefits. As a result of all this, not even a year later she is once again off work and looking forward to another surgery for a repeated tare and additional tares to the same spot. As mentioned by others on this site, Manulife is not interested in their customers wellbeing. They are only interested in taking your money and paying out as little as possible. Bottom line: If you have a choice, look elsewhere. The only way you'll be happy with this company is if you never have to file a claim.

For a total $165 massage, I was only covered $84. Their "reasonable rates" for ON is the cheapest in Canada (which doesn't make any sense) at $106/hour so they only covered 50% of the total cost. That is an absolute joke - very very disappointed in their service.

Pseudo “Medical Experts” at Manulife, likely offshore, will decide if a procedure is medically necessary, even though Ontario medical specialists you have visited deem the procedure to be medically necessary.

I have group benefits with Manulife. In the benefits I'm provided with 12 occurrences at 100% coverage for RMT visits. I've recently injured my back and booken an RMT appointment which was $95.00 with taxes for the initial visit. I submitted my claim through Manulife's app foe the $95.00. I was only reimbursed with $40.00 since $40.00 was what is "deemed reasonable" for the appointment. The average cost for an initial RMT visit in my area is $100.00. It would be reasonable to take an average of these costs in my area to come up with the reimbursement cost. It's funny because 4 years ago $40.00 was the threshold for what was deemed reasonable. They don't update their covering costs and rip off companies who opt for group benefits with them. I would never recommend Manulife to anyone.

1. Staff is not knowledgeable. Every time I've called the customer service person sounds annoyed that they had to answer the phone, have no clue what they're talking about.

2. Online claims take forever to process, previous providers have paid within 24 hours of submitting online claim, I have claims sitting for weeks before my measly 20% coverage is paid back to me.

3. Coverage is terrible at best, I know this has a lot to do with my employer as well, however it's unfortunate that a modern benefits provider would cater such terrible coverage.

Been in a battle for over a year to add coverage for my dependent. I have to explain everything every time I call in, and am always read the same script, the record so far is FOUR times being read a script and having them ignore my questions.

It always ends the same: “I’ll get a superior to call you back tomorrow”, and when tomorrow comes I get a template email with the same script I’d already gotten from the service rep and no phone call, OR NOTHING AT ALL and I have to call in yet again. It’s awful.

When they do approve things, they phrase it in a way that makes it sound like you’ll finally get the coverage you’re paying for, only to find it’s a slimy way of denying coverage yet again and reversing all the claims back on you.

I’ve given up, this company is truly awful and their service reps have zero knowledge and can only read from prompts, a bloody parrot could do their job.

Manulife said since only 1 eye changed they only paid for 1 lens in my eyeglasses!

Provided me with an estimate for coverage on a surgery saying they would pay $2600 of the $2900 quoted. On the day of my surgery I was advised that my insurance was only covering $1500, I am now fighting with Manulife to be reimbursed for the $1400 paid out of pocket and they won't even pay me out from my health spending account. In addition, I upped my TFSA contribution and while my pay statements accurately reflect my contributions, my TFSA account is saying I am still only contributing my previous amount. This company will hold your money hostage and refuse to give it back. If I could give 0 stars I would.

My employer changed the insurer to Manulife a few years ago. In that short time, I have noticed a HUGE difference in service and eligibility. I had some major dental work done (3 Dental Implants) and the first was completed under the previous insurer with no problems. The next two were under Manulife who was been a nightmare with constant delays and complications. I spoke with the employees at two different dental offices who deal with submitting claims and BOTH said that MANULIFE WAS THE WORST to deal with of all the insurers without question.