The Canadian's Guide to Green Shield Health Insurance Zone 3

Canadian healthcare provides universal health care coverage for its citizens.

Well, almost.

Currently, Medicare only covers about 70% of your medical costs. This means you're responsible for prescription drug costs, dental costs, and vision.

As a result, many Canadians seek supplementary private medical insurance. This can mean you'll get coverage on the items Medicare misses. It can also give you extra perks, like seeing a private doctor and having health issues resolved more quickly.

Green Shield Health Insurance has been the only not-for-profit health and dental benefits specialist since 1957. With that kind of history, you know they're able to provide some of the best coverage to their clients.

One of their major affordable plans is their "Zone Coverage." Each zone covers a range of services to match both your needs and your wallet.

In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at what you'll get with Zone 3.

Who is Eligible for Zone 3 Coverage with Green Shield Health Insurance?

Anyone under the age of 75. You'll need to be a Canadian resident and have provincial health insurance. There are no questions and no medical underwriting. All pre-existing conditions are accepted. You stop being covered only if you stop paying.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs are not covered as part of Zone 3. Within the Zone plans, prescription drug cover begins with the Zone Fundamental Plan.

In general, prescription drugs are not covered in Canada. Green Shield Health Insurance does not cover prescription drugs for Zones 1-3 currently.

Dental Coverage

Great news! Zone 3 takes care of your pearly whites. For the first year, they'll pay up to $600 for basic coverage. The second year, this increases to $800. It then increases to $1,000 for the third year.

You can have your teeth examined every nine months, and Green Shield Health Insurance will pay up to 80% of the cost, providing it doesn't exceed the maximum.

They will also pay 80% of comprehensive basic services. After your third year with them, they'll pay 50% of major services.

Vision Coverage

Every two years, you'll get $65 toward an examination. You'll then receive $150 toward eyeglasses, contact lenses, or corrective surgery.

Physical Therapy and Other Specialists

Green Shield Health Insurance recognizes that the entire body needs to be healthy in order to be productive. As a result, they cover the patients' ability to see acupuncturists, chiropractors, podiatrists, massage therapists, naturopaths, osteopaths, and physiotherapists.

For these services, they'll pay $20 per visit. You can use up to $400 per year per practitioner with the Zone 3 plan.

Mental Health and Speech Therapy

Mental health is also important, and Green Shield recognizes this. They'll pay up to $400 per practitioner for you to see a psychologist or social worker.

You can also use $400 per year per practitioner for speech therapy if necessary. This comes in handy for parents of young children.

Accidents and Trauma

You can rest easy with your Zone 3 coverage. You'll get accidental dental coverage for up to $5,000 if something goes awry with your teeth.

If you're sick or become injured and need emergency transportation, Green Shield's Zone 3 plan will cover your transport by land or air. You can rest easy knowing that you and your loved ones will be in the best hands possible should something out of the ordinary should happen.

Hearing Aids

For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, Green Shield will pay $350 toward hearing aids for the first 4 years with Zone 3. Upon your fifth year, you'll receive $500 toward hearing aids every four years.

Green Shield's zone plans, however, are not meant for individuals over the age of 75. As such, hearing aids on this plan are only eligible for those who meet the initial criteria.

Diagnostics

Can't wait for Medicare to run laboratory tests or need to ease your mind immediately? Green Shield covers up to $2,000 for diagnostics. This includes X-rays, dialysis equipment, and laboratory tests. You'll be able to get yourself back on the road to health much quicker if you can have your lab tests expedited by using a private doctor. Green Shield helps support you to do so.

Medical Items and Support Services

If you need in-home support services at any time, you can receive help for it on Zone 3. While most younger individuals don't think twice about home care, you may, unfortunately, one day become ill or injured. If this is the case, you'll be very grateful you took out insurance that allowed you to receive the care you need.

For the first year with Green Shield, you'll receive $2,000 toward this cost. The amount of money you can use for this benefit will increase by $1,000 each year, until your fourth year. From your fourth year on, you can receive $5,000 per category per year.

Emergency Health Coverage

You can rest easy when you travel with your Zone 3 coverage. For every 15 days per trip that you need it, you'll be covered for up to $5,000,000. This is fantastic, especially for trips abroad where access to medical care can be costly.

Private and Semi-Private Hospital Accommodation

If you, unfortunately, need to be hospitalized while covered under Zone 3, you have the added benefit to opt for a semi-private or private hospital room. You may also claim back the difference between a private room and a public hospital room if you must receive care where no private rooms are available.

This service is extra, and medical underwriting is required to access it.

Choosing Zone 3

Zone 3 is a great service for individuals who remain healthy, but know that they may need some extra help sometime in the future. It is perfect for those just starting a family and who want to make sure that everyone gets adequate coverage.

Green Shield Health Insurance offers comprehensive plans for a wide range of needs. You can read more about what each zone offers customers by clicking here.