Canadians are fortunate to have universal healthcare but “universal” doesn’t always mean it’s 100% comprehensive. While government health insurance makes a lot of medical costs cheaper or even free, it doesn’t cover everything. In fact, according to a report by the Effective Public Healthcare Panacea Project (EPHPP), Canada’s universal healthcare program covered approximately 64% of healthcare costs, while 15% were covered out of pocket. The other 21% were covered through other public sources and private insurance.
Thankfully, that’s exactly why personal health insurance providers like GMS exist. Read this Loans Canada review to learn whether GMS Insurance is right for you.
Who Is GMS?
Group Medical Services (GMS) is a non-profit company that’s been offering personal health and travel insurance plans since they were founded in Saskatchewan back in 1949. In 2003, they officially expanded to the rest of Canada and today, they cover a range of medical expenses that some government or private insurance providers won’t.
If you can’t obtain full health insurance coverage through your business, employer, province or territory, GMS may be the perfect network to find the extra coverage and additional benefits you want.
Types Of Insurance Offered By GMS
GMS provides basic-to-comprehensive coverage plans for every Canadian, all of which have a specific drug and dental benefits. Currently, their main insurance plans are:
Health
GMS offers several insurance options for health-related expenses, such as coverage for dental procedures, physiotherapy, vision care and prescription drugs. Coverage amounts vary according to the type(s) of treatments you need.
Travel
If you’re vacationing, studying or working abroad, GMS TravelStar® Insurance plans give you up to $5 million in coverage for emergency medical and trip cancellation costs. It also includes $500,000 for medical expenses related to COVID-19.
Immigrants And Visitors
You can also get GMS’s health insurance when you’re staying in Canada temporarily as a visitor or immigrant. Choose a deductible and coverage amount to get many of the same medical benefits as GMS TravelStar® Insurance.
Find out if you need Super Visa Insurance to come to Canada.
Group
GMS has extensive plans for businesses that need employee health coverage. Smaller companies (3 – 10 employees) can get a pre-designed Group Advantage plan, while larger ones (11+ employees) can acquire a custom plan.
Does GMS Offer Dental Insurance?
Most provincial and territorial healthcare programs do not offer any dental coverage, but GMS has insurance plans for individuals, families and businesses, all of which offer various dental benefits. These plans provide coverage for routine costs like cleanings, exams and polishing. It also includes more extensive procedures, including dentures, crowns, bridges and emergencies.
If you’re looking for extra coverage, you can add a supplemental plan to your policy, which offers increasing levels of coverage as time goes by:
- Year 1:
- Maximum combined reimbursement = $500
- Coverage for basic services = 75%
- No coverage for major services
- Year 2:
- Maximum combined reimbursement = $750
- Coverage for basic services = 80%
- Coverage for major services = 50%
- Year 3:
- Maximum combined reimbursement = $1,000
- Coverage for basic services = 80%
- Coverage for major services = 50%
Check out Ontario’s dental program called the Healthy Smiles.
Cost Of GMS Insurance Plans
Since GMS offers multiple types of insurance for people of all ages and walks of life, your monthly or yearly premium can vary greatly depending on your coverage needs as well as certain factors like your age, gender, health, and lifestyle.
For a better idea of what we mean, here’s an example of how much you could pay starting out for GMS personal health insurance as a single Ontario resident, aged 35 – 44, who doesn’t smoke.
| Insurance Plan (Without Add-Ons) | Lowest Premium |
| Health | – OmniPlan = $43.50 per month – ExtendaPlan = $20.25 per month – BasicPlan = $6.75 per month |
If you’re looking for a group insurance plan, you’ll only be able to obtain a premium quote by visiting the GMS Insurance website and completing the instructions in the “Group Plans” tab. Here, you may have to enter several details, such as your number of employees, the name of your company and other information related to your business.
Process Of Making A Claim With GMS?
Making an insurance claim with GMS is pretty simple too. All you have to do is access their online portal, register for a My GMS Account (or log into your existing one) and submit a claim digitally. You can file a claim by mail, all you have to do is complete their form and send it to:
- 2055 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4P 0E3
Typically, the fastest and easiest way to submit a claim with GMS would be online since most of the information on it is pre-populated for you. You can also use your My GMS Account to view your claims history, confirm the status of your claims and set up a direct deposit with your bank.
Learn why your insurance claim got denied.
How To Get A GMS Health Insurance Quote?
When you buy any kind of insurance, your yearly or monthly premium can depend on different health and coverage-related factors, such as:
- Your age and gender
- Your province or territory
- Your chosen deductible
- The amount of beneficiaries you want on your plan (individuals, family, etc.)
- The optional/supplemental benefits you add to your policy
- How healthy you are (i.e whether you smoke, consume alcohol, etc.)
To get a free health insurance quote, just go to GMS.ca, click the “Get a Quote” tab and fill out the required details. You can also work with one of their insurance brokers, visit their head office in Regina or call their customer service line toll-free to request a quote.
GMS Insurance FAQs
Can I cancel my GMS health insurance plan?
How do I contact GMS?
Does GMS offer travel health insurance?
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical/dental care
- COVID-19 expenses
- Ambulance and hospital care
- Virtual care for minor emergencies
What does the GMS account offer?
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an affordable and comprehensive insurance policy, Group Medical Services (GMS) may be the best provider for you. Check out the GMS website or contact their customer service department today for more information about the coverage plans, premiums and conditions they offer. GMS can connect you with an experienced broker or create a custom insurance plan for you.
