Great-West Life Health Insurance Reviews

I clicked on Life Insurance...because there isn't a drop-down option for Health & Dental. I had coverage with GWL with my previous employer. I accepted a buyout package and was eligible to enroll with GWL under the similar plan. I really had no issues with GWL when I was with group plan under the employer. However, when I signed up with GWL last week....it has been a "gong show" ever since. After signing up and being accepted...I was emailed copious documents and my policy # on August 30 - with noted commencement date for benefits starting September 1. There was no indication with paperwork when I would receive our drug cards. As I wanted to fill a prescription at Shoppers Drug Mart, I called GWL to find out if they could give me my client ID...and other info that Shoppers had requested. Well - GWL had no record of my policy # - it doesn't exist! Oh, for frig sake!! So, after several phone transfers to different departments passing the hot potato...approximately 45 minutes - still not resolved. I became apoplectic on the phone. How ironic that I had interviews for an executive assistant position with top big wigs at the London, Ontario office....and they spoke so eloquently on how customer service is "paramount" to their business...huh!

It seems that when submitting dental claims electronically at the dentist's office, the EDI system that GWL uses is failing to process quite often. This causes the dentist's office to have to mail in the claim creating a delay.

First thing, I would like to say that having worked in a CS field my issue was resolved pretty quickly but it was ridiculous that I went through four reps before anyone actually knew what they were talking about. The last dude that helped me was fantastic, the other three reps (one of em was named Jennifer) all working in Dental Claims just bungled things up with all kinds of wrong information.

When waiting on a claim my dentist input an incorrect address and of course my check was redirected back to sender, in this time I discovered the group plan website and set things right with my address and set up direct deposit. I spoke with my first couple reps clearing up the redirected check and they assured me that they could reissue the claim using direct deposit. I received email confirmation for the direct deposit (with 48hr turn around) and on the third day called in. today I spoke with Jennifer who assured me that the direct deposit should've been submitted by now and said she'd request a trace payment (2wk process) to track the payment. Later today my boyfriend checked the mail and the check from G-W was in there. Called back and spoke with a really nice guy who informed me that it was "standard process" for claim reissues to be processed in the same method as the original claim and that the check should be there by now (hadn't told him I'd gotten the check yet).

Long story I know...but three people in separate mediums (phone and email) all told me one thing and the last guy swoops in with this "standard process" that I'm assuming the rest of his colleagues should have been aware of. Honestly I shouldn't have had to call in as often as I had to get the correct information.

Anyway I have the check, all is good and hoping it doesn't bounce tomorrow for whatever reason if on of my four reps messed something up.

My employer changed benefits provider recently probably to save cost. I wish I had a say. My first claim submitted and it was different than my old provider. They have coordinated benefits that limit you 100% of the eligible expense which is a set limit (not the amount you paid) minus the amount paid by the first plan. My old provider covered my total expense with dual coverage. Great West Life loves to find ways to keep your money from you. If you are looking for a good provider then keep on looking and do not fork out money for this company unless your company is unfortunately paying for them.

My spouse added me to her company plan when I switched to self-employed. Since it was impossible to do so on her online account, we contacted them. I was added. When I attempted a dental claim, the dentist sent it in electronically as usual with my spouse's claims. It went through fine.

Two weeks later we hadn't seen the money. My spouse called and GWL said they had no record of me on her plan and we had to submit a manual paper form for the first claim. My dentist did so, with my spouse's signature and my info on it.

Another week passes, still no money. I finished my dental work, submitted a second claim, and this time it came back saying my coverage was terminated. We called GWL on the spot and the rep said my coverage still wasn't active because they required information such as my relation to her, how long we've been together, etc. We answered all questions and they said everything would be fine.

Three days later we got an email saying the first claim had gone through and money was on the way. About a half hour after that, GWL called to tell us that they required all the info we have given over the phone in writing or my claim wouldn't be active.

Not only are they providing muddy and confusing communications to their clients, it seems they are not communicating with each other. I would never pay for a plan with GWL out of my own pocket.

I am trying to determine how much coverage there is on a IUD prescription and I was told that I need to ask the pharmacist to determine that. I went to the pharmacist only to be told I require the Client # Carrier # and Group #. After calling GWL I return to the pharmacist only to find out that they did not give me the correct numbers.

It amazes me that they cannot give me the correct information to do this when they will not give clients a card to get immediate prescription coverage. I'm sure they go through this regularly. As my pharmacist put it "numb nuts"