Great-West Life Health Insurance Reviews

Had found over many years of being with them a consistent use of tactics to avoid effective service and transparency for their clients.

They claim on their annual reports all sorts of good-looking statements while
a. they do not offer updated transparency for both their personnel and their customers on their coverage definitions;
b. their self-serve website and claim services have not seen a meaningful improvement in years;
c. calling their call centre repeatedly on a certain claim requires clients to keep a very good log on every interaction since many times notes on those interactions are not accurate. Forget about "warm-transfers": you'd need to repeat who you are and authenticate yourself every time when you switch the person you speak with;
d. instead of streamlining their claim submission processes they prefer sending over snail-mail letters wasting resources (time, money, and paper) both for themselves and for their clients.

We feel bad for the morale of their employees which obviously suffers following such poorly designed, anti-customer satisfaction processes. No one expects GWL work for free or at a loss, however, it is remarkably sad to see layers after layers of their management ignoring again and again real problems in how they serve their clients and what is the real value they deliver...

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.

With direct billing for dental I had no problems. The problem occurred when I submitted an online claim for athletic therapy on September 10th, 15th, 17th. I received an email stating that my claim was being processed. I thought it was great, and I'd be reimbursed within a few days. After waiting, and checking online for my claim status I was locked out of the website. So I called to inquire about the delay. I was told that they were behind and it would be 7-10 days. Then I received a letter dated September 21st (on September 24th) stating that they couldn't find my provider registered with any of the appropriate governing bodies. So I did a search online with the appropriate associations, and easily found that she was a member. Why is the burden of proof placed on the patient? I called again and provided the information required. I got another email stating that my claim is being processed. In the meantime I had attended a total of 5 appointments at $68 a pop by this point with $0 reimbursed. I managed to regain online access and found out my claims had been denied for the same reason. So I called again today and was very angry and frustrated with the representative who I told this needed to be resolved today. I literally am out of money and had to borrow some cash to buy a little bit of food until payday. Why can't a big insurance company find proof of registration and certification of a service provider when its easily accessible to the general public? I told the representative to call my AT himself because I was done dealing with this situation. My other options? Rely on pain killers until I become addicted or damage my liver and become a burden on society.

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.

After months of forest fires my asthma which is monitored and treated with advair daily has been acting up this summer (obviously). I called my pharmacist to renew my ventolin which has pretty much been sustaining me throughout the summer. I'm told that my insurance company won't cover it because they feel that well controlled asthma only needs a ventolin a month. In most months for myself, I would agree. However, I'd like to know when an insurance started being able to override the assessment made by someone who actually cares for me and has a PhD, indicating that they are the person who knows my health, not an insurance company. It's absolutely disgusting. If anyone has major asthma issues, this is not a company you should get your benefits through, sorry.

Great West Life is literally a pain to deal with. They complicate things that should be simple and quick to deal with. They also take absolutely no responsibility for anything. Most information I've received from them is inconsistent.

I had my wisdom teeth out almost 1.5 months ago. I sent in a form for pre-approval 2 months ago. They literally just need to issue a cheque to me. I still have not received it. I have called them four times and they issued a cheque to our old address 3 weeks late (despite the new address being updated and us receiving other claims at this address). The representative was literally trying to argue with me on the phone about who's fault that was. Who cares? That's not the concern. I don't have money that I should have received a month ago. I am out of pocket and the surgeon's office is waiting to be paid.

Completely unacceptable. I get better service at Walmart for free.

Getting your custom orthotics paid for is a nightmare. Despite having all information required, claim is still denied. Something, they pad for 2 years ago is now not eligible, however, no information was sent out to advise of new terms.

i have been with Sun Life insurance for a few years. No problem with any claims. My husband just got a new insurance with great west life, and now I have had a terrible time with them. They random audited and asked for the receipt which I provided to them. Then they asked for the other insurance payment proof. This made me feel like I am trying to rob their money or something. Sun life never checked my receipts, and always pay in full amount if you have second insurance. This great west life never pays me in full whatever left that my first insurance pay even only $10 left. This insurance company is not GREAT as its name. If anyone is looking for insurance company, I would suggest with Sun Life. No problem with claims and no doubt about your claims. Less headache and pissed off from the stupid audits.

I would Rate Great West Life has ZERO, find another insurance.They kept asking questions by mail, one question at time until they got something they to refuse my claim, talk about wasting money on stamps. After 4 months of crap, and I will now loose 2 teeth, because I had a hone accident and loosened them. Zero, zero, zero rating Great West Life