Great-West Life Health Insurance Reviews

They take lots of money, but the coverage is not good, in terms of both dental and health benefits. They don't even cover breastfeeding pumps which most companies cover.

I have this garbage company's health insurance through the U of Calgary's Students Union which is included with fees. This plan only allows you to use dental choice offices as covered by the GWL plan. What they don't tell you is that your plan from semester to semester enters a supposed "black period or blackout period" even when I paid the full fees on my goddamn tuition. I end up having to pay out of pocket wasting 100s of dollars.

Is this company using dental fee guides from the 80s?? It sure seems that way. I’m supposed to have 90% dental coverage, but when I actually go to the dentist it only works out to about 70% because great West Life uses their own fee guide. So they’ve decided that cleaning should cost a certain amount when in reality in 2020 it costs far more. It’s cheap, underhanded business practices. They are nowhere near the provincial feed guide estimated for dental services whether standard or extensive. And that’s only the basic procedures, if you need anything more than basic they only cover 50%. Or well, 50% of what they “think“ the procedure should cost. So you’re getting screwed and then screwed again. Trying to get through on the phone to ask them which fee guide they use is impossible, I just gave up after a 45-minute wait with no answer. If I could scrub the planet of slimy insurance companies and start it fresh with honest ones, I would.

It’s horrible that you guys don’t cover breast pumps and flu shots (vaccines). Currently, I am a mother of twins. Due to some complications, I had delivered the babies preterm. My twins are in NCIU. I need to supply milk to them. The doctor prescribed breast pumps they cost around $300 and when I called they said they don’t cover. If it’s prescribed by a doctor why don’t you cover?

Most claims you submit will be rejected. I purchased a CPAP machine from CPAP clinic store GWL has refused to pay me back due conflicts between GWL and Cpap clinic stores. Why do I have to pay from my own pocket when I have coverages. The need to resolve their issues between by themselves. Many more bad reviews to come due to several issues I got many hours of frustration dealing with them. I would love to give them zero stars but it wasn't an option.

I was insured though Great West-Life. I had prescription coverage. My partner has a neurological disorder and required non cosmetic botox. We filed the claim online and were informed that we required special permission from our doctor. We got the special paperwork filled out, received a letter confirming that it was now covered by Great West-Life, and refiled the paperwork. They again rejected it because the doctor used a generic version of the botox. This was clear on our initial claim. Our coverage finished and I spent hours on the phone trying to get them to honour the prescription. Their phone staff said they would call back but never did. They clearly just waited until my patience ran out. I would not recommend them.

Worst company for any type of medical or dental claims. They denied a claim after a complaint and appeal. My son had 9000$ worth of dental claims prior to his 21 birthday but continued after his 21 birthday. The dentist was booked so treatment began a week after his 21 birthday. Still won’t pay. No goodwill with this company despite being a customer for 27 years.

I've been insured with them through my work and have been paying into them for almost 2 years with no claims. I finally made a claim for orthopedic shoes and it has been a month since I sent them what they asked for - doctor's prescription and podiatrist's. They rejected my claim BY SENDING A LETTER THROUGH SNAIL MAIL!!! I can't even touch how bad an idea that is because it's slow and dated... ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY CAN CALL/EMAIL OR UPDATE MY FILE! I called to find out why, and I've had to wait on the phone for half an hour before a representative picks up and tells me the same things. They refuse to pay for my shoes because according to their system my condition requires orthotics, not ortho shoes. I asked them to cover my orthotic insoles and they said my plan doesn't cover those, only ortho shoes, but they won't pay for my shoes because my condition requires the insoles... I explained that my doctor told me to get both of them for my condition, but they are saying their system says otherwise and they don't cover insoles. Fast forward to a month and I've spoken to the supervisor twice and have only received the same runaround. This is literally the worst runaround in the history of runaround. It goes likes this: "Your doctor says you need these things but our system says you need only the insoles. We do not cover insoles for you but we do cover shoes for you. We can't give you shoes because according to our system you need insoles. We don't cover insoles for you." It is ridiculous! This is what I've had to hear for a month AFTER waiting on the phone for upwards of 20 minutes and up to a half-hour. Please! For the sake of your sanity, and your money, if your employer offers benefits through this company, don't waste your money because you can easily pay for your stuff without going through them if you choose to opt-out.

For years I had severe anxiety problems and was unable to find the root cause for it. Recently I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, doctor recommended me to buy a CPAP machine and to be honest it changed my life! The best of it is I don't need to take medication for the anxiety anymore, sleep apnea was the root cause for my anxiety! Turns out that the (not so) Great West refuse to pay for the CPAP machine which is priced at 1700$ because for them I am not sick enough (i have moderate Sleep Apnea), they reimburse me over 1000$ per year for anxiety pills but they won't pay a dime for the real solution to the problem which is Sleep Apnea.

The GWL is worst for coverage through job medical insurance. They excuse to not pay for the tooth procedure and crown because it was taken out before I joined the present company. Don't you think this is an excuse? This company took around 4-5 months to answer the question that, are they going to pay or not. Finally, they said they will not pay. I am surprised why consumer protection is not taking any action against this kind of useless company, keeping such stupid clauses in the policies.