Great-West Life Health Insurance Reviews

Been waiting 16 months for an easy claim. They always say they’re going to call but don’t. We call them like it’s our job. They won’t acknowledge the paper work we’ve sent several times. They won’t explain why it’s taking so long. They just say they will sort it out and call back, but never do. 16 months later and we’re still calling. Ridiculous. Wish we didn’t have to pay for this useless company through work.

Customer service and processing times have gone downhill drastically in recent years. It is almost impossible to get a hold of an agent by phone. After being on hold for 90 minutes you will be directed to a voice mail. Then you can expect to wait at least a couple days for them to call back. Processing times have gone from days to multiple weeks for claims and even simple requests. If I had it my way I would switch to another company. However since I'm a group plan member sponsored by my employer, the choice isn't mine. Given the current customer service standards and ridiculous processing times, I would not recommend Canada Life to anyone.

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.

Very disappointed! Avoid this company if you want peace of mind. Very unhelpful, they don't even pick up the phone! How can I expect them to help me in real emergency if they don't even pick up!!!

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.

Their customer service is terrible. They don't answer your call and don't consider your claim!

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.