Sun Life Group Benefits Insurance Reviews

I found out at the end of January 2016 that I needed surgery. I began the process of starting a claim about a month before I actually stopped working. My case was a bit complicated because I need 2 surgeries, and at the time I submitted the paperwork the second surgery date was unknown. I submitted the paperwork before my surgery on March 23rd, got the forms filled out by my doctors, and thought everything was fine. I called multiple times, was told my claim was approved, and it was fine. When I was supposed to start getting paid, I never got a check. I called them - turns out they were missing a form, that no one had ever told me about. I get the form worked out and submit it, and call them a few days later.... only to find out that there was ANOTHER form missing. They kept telling me that I needed to talk to my claims manager Tanya, but she never seemed to be in the office - we're convinced she doesn't exist. The 6th of 7th time I called, I was informed that I had TWO claims - one for short term disability, which has been approved, and one for state. "State?" I asked them. Turns out they were missing forms for that as well, that no one had decided to tell me about the other SIX OR SEVEN TIMES I HAD CALLED. You would think that if they were missing a form, they would call you to ask about it; nope. Sun Life is deducting $170 from my checks every week for this state disability, and to date I have not received any of that money, even though the state claim has been approved at this point. Back to the short term disability; I have been getting checks the last two weeks, so I was lulled into thinking everything was okay. I still have not gotten my state money... but I thought I was okay on the short term side. My second surgery is tomorrow, so I started the process to extend my leave. After FINALLY getting ahold of Tanya, she assured me that all she needs to do is call my doctors office tomorrow after my surgery to find out how much longer I'll be out. She said that she would just extend my leave to whatever the doctor says - we'll see tomorrow if that happens. I received a check today that showed me 2 things. First, the amount is off by $100. Second, they are showing my leave as suspended. I also was given a claim number for my state disability - I looked up that claim, and it shows a check that I never received, and that I have already returned to work.

Long story short, AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS. They jerk you around and absolutely do not care about your wellbeing. They lie to you and say they have everything they need, just to retract that statement the next time you call. You will never get what you're owed if you go through this company, so save yourself the trouble and STAY AWAY.

Someone should do an investigation with this company for fraud. I had them for over 20 years and after i found out i was diagnosed with a kidney problem in July 2015 they sent me a letter saying i lied and knew about the kidney disease. My dr. Performed the regular tests due to my blood pressure as a precaution and never once did we ever talk about a kidney problem. Sadly we have them as a group insurance with our employer and everyone is very disappointed with the service and the fustration of family members who become ill and have to deal with a company who cant even have the compassion to deal with ill individuals. Leave before its too late you dont want to deal with these people when you are sick.

I have a group insurance plan through my employer. I have been diagnosed with cancer since 2009. My condition has deteriorated since then requiring me to purchase a hospital bed. I have coverage up to $4000.00 for this item. When I filed a claim, they denied it stating they needed more information. I had given them a doctors note and an estimate. They denied the doctors note. I got another note from my doctor costing $40.00. I sent it in via priority post. Sun life received this the next business day. I was told it takes 7 business days to process. They denied it again because they didn't like the receipt. Maybe it was the colour of the paper or the staple I used; I don't know. I've sent another receipt. This time it was handwritten. Then I'm told it will take 7-9 business days to process. I've yet to see the outcome. They have a neat little requirement that you must complete before honouring (I use that term lightly) their obligation; You must pay for the bed yourself in advance. Anyone knows people on disability insurance don't make much money and can't afford to do this. So, if you can't pay up front they will not pay what they owe. Convenient isn't it? Why couldn't they have told me at first everything they needed; in detail. Nope. They strung me around for one and a half months hoping I would throw my arms up in exasperation and walk away. Not going to happen. If this last receipt is denied I will contact my lawyer and have him settle it. Be vary wary of this insurance company. You have to fight tooth and nail to get them to live up to their obligations. I would not recommend this company for anything. Do not trust them to have your best interests at heart.

I had no choice but to choose Sun life since my company is tied up with them. I applied for Short Term Disability (STD) in January 2016 due to a mental illness I have (depression and anxiety). Could not work so needed time off, so I applied and submitted to Sun Life. Within 3 days they declined my claim saying it is not a physical injury that prevents me from working and further says I'm claiming money for personal reasons!

Being said, Sun Life thinks mental illness is a joke unless I have a disease or in physical pain. A huge disappointment coming from a large corporation to make this comment. And to think in Canada we raised 25 million dollars to research on the stigma on mental illness and Sun life thinks it's nothing. And to think I'm claiming money for personal reasons??

I spend more than $100 to complete this from only to be denied in 3 days. Worst insurance company ever, and now I have to force myself to return back to work with this illness.

This company is the worst to deal with. I pay for coverage through my employer for short-term disability. I had carpal tunnel surgery in September and am still unable to return to work. My surgeon filled out the paperwork stating no use of the right hand. Not sure what more they need. There is a very high chance of another surgery to try to correct the problem. Now more paperwork needs to be filled out by the doctor. What a run around. They say they will return your call within 24 hours. Another crock. It took my member of parliament calling them for the call to be returned. I have not been denied yet but looks like it is going to go that way. I am trying to find out if there is a way to opt out of paying for this as when it is needed, they don't pay. I have never claimed been unable to work until now. I am not asking to be off for the rest of my life. Just until they fix the problem. I would rather donate my payments. Why should I have to pay for something I can never use? This company is a joke. I realize that they make money by not paying out however it is crooked to take money from people if they can never utilize the services that are supposed to be provided that you pay for. Will be talking to my union to see what steps to take to remove this payment from my pay and put it to anywhere but these crooks

I had a health plan through my group. Alberta
Took pre-authorization for orthodontal and endodontic expenses separately submitted by each of these specialists.
The Sun Life team approved both the pre-authorization separately.
These orthodontal and endodontic treatment expenses for the child are very expensive and not easily affordable for parents.
Despite the pre-authorization approval received from Sun Life, the insurance company refused to pay an amount of approx 463$ which is approximately 8% of the payment made by us ($10000) for these specialists.

A complaint was registed with Sun Life and case id was issued.
Their customer care representative Mr. G informed me that the pre-authorization approval was a mistake by their team and hence then cannot compensate the amount of $463

I followed up with Mr. G for several months and the case was open. But Mr. G states that he has put a write-off request to his senior management due to the error from Sun-life in the pre-approvals. But his senior management did not take steps.

Despite several follow-ups, Sun Life did not honor their pre-authorization approval and did not reimburse me for the expenses made

Result
Orthodontic Expenses for the treatment by us : $8000
Endodontic expense for the treatment by us : $2600

Pre-authorization sent out separately for the above to Sun Life
Approved pre-authorization amount for orthodontics : $2000
Approved pre-authorization amount for endodontics : $463

When expenses were submitted after treatment, Sun Life insurance company paid only 2000$ instead of the pre-approved amount of 2463$ with further loss of 463$

Experience
1) Despite taking approvals, the team is not professional enough to understand customer concerns and did not honor their commitment.

2) Why the customer has to always bear the loss due to the any lapses of Sun Life medical insurance team.

3) please be careful when you sign up with Sun Life plans and they will tweak the clauses to their own benefit despite preauthorization

4) they collect hefty premium for these plans

5) Sharing this information to all of you so that no other customer should have to face similar things while dealing with Sun Life health and dental insurance

I made a claim to Sun Life since last August. We are now in April and I problably talked to one of their representants 3 or 4 times at most. The rest of the time, I was talking to answering machines and nothing else. And when they do answer your call, it is to tell you nothing else but lies and excuses for refusing to pay you. From what they told me, they can change their reglementations whenever they feel like it. Even their superintendant won't answer the phone! All they do is changing representant to make you feel they care... but it all comes down to a restart with no end. I truly am hoping my company will change insurance company. I am fedup being forced to give my money to those crooks!

I have health plan coverage through the Public Service Health Care Plan (Canada) and will say it's the worst customer service I have ever experienced with any professional service company ever. It's as if they deliberatly attempt to frustrate the customer to make you give up. The phone advisors are more often condescending and rude than they are helpful, and the online secure messaging and inability to communicate by email makes the whole system as slow as molasses. I have come to despise Sun Life and will never, ever willingly use them for anything ever again as long as I live.

8 months now on my new job and still don't have life insurance coverage! They keep calling to tell me I'm missing "something" to finish processing my application but they cant' tell me what's missing. The sub-contractor they sent to do my physical lost some of my paperwork so they denied my coverage. Now I'm being denied due to "non-response". When I call to ask what I'm supposed to respond to, and I quote "Sir, we don't know". They denied coverage for my wife for a "medical condition", but they can't tell me what it is. She has only had a couple surgeries on her feet........ HR is trying to help but there is only so much they can do. I give up. I'm just going to tell HR to cancel my application with Sun Life so I can just go get private life insurance. It'll cost the same but I'll have much better service. Not a grain of intelligence can be claimed by any of the agents working at Sun Life! Anyone that rates better than 1 star obviously hasn't had to deal with them in any capacity yet - but you'll soon find out and be back here re-posting a new review.