GreenShield

GreenShield, integrated health insurance and health services in Canada

GreenShield presents itself as Canada's only national not-for-profit organization that combines health insurance and health service delivery. Its proposition is to bring coverage and care together on a single digital platform: users can consult a professional, renew a prescription, submit a claim, or access therapy from anywhere. The entity states that it serves nearly eight million Canadians and reinvests its surplus in facilitating access to care for underserved populations, with the stated goal of improving the lives of three million people between 2025 and 2030.

Coverage for individuals, families, and businesses

The offering for individuals includes health insurance plans with guaranteed acceptance, aimed at covering everyday needs such as prescription medications, dental care, vision care, and licensed therapists, as well as emergency travel benefits. These plans are also aimed at retirees, self-employed workers, contract professionals, and people who have lost coverage through their employer. For the business sector, GreenShield offers group plans and flexible health spending accounts (HCSA) for small businesses with between 2 and 149 employees.

Therapy, pharmacy, and telemedicine

The mental health service relies on a network of more than 2,100 Canadian-licensed therapists, including social workers and psychotherapists, who offer individual or couples counselling and cover more than 50 areas of expertise, such as anxiety, stress, depression, relationships, or career development. The company also operates a digital pharmacy for managing prescriptions and online delivery, a specialty pharmacy for complex or chronic conditions, and a telemedicine service for consulting a healthcare professional at any time. For businesses, it adds workplace well-being programs and an employee assistance program.

GreenShield+ and plan administration

GreenShield+ is the digital environment that brings these services together and allows users to access care, manage prescriptions, and process claims. The organization also provides benefits plan administration services, with specific portals for plan administrators and healthcare providers, and has a network of health professionals open to new providers joining.

History and social activity

The entity traces its founding to 1957, based on the idea that healthcare is a right and not a privilege. Its structure includes the not-for-profit Green Shield Association and Green Shield Holdings Inc., which brings together the insurance, health, adjudication, and benefits administration businesses, including Green Shield Canada Insurance, Green Shield Health Inc., Green Shield Adjudication Inc., and Green Shield Administration Inc. Through GreenShield Cares, it develops initiatives in mental health, essential medicines, and oral health. Its head office is located in Windsor, Ontario.

Publications and customer service

The organization maintains a newsroom with its own studies, such as a national survey on the delays women face in receiving adequate care during menopause. For general inquiries, it offers telephone support and a customer service email, as well as a specific emergency travel assistance line managed with CanAssistance.