Green Shield Canada Explained

Green Shield Canada (GSC)
Type:Non-for-profit
Industry:Health and dental benefits insurance
Founded:1957
Location:8677 Anchor Drive
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 6W1

Green Shield Canada (GSC) is a not-for-profit benefits carrier that provides drug, dental, extended health care, vision, hospital and travel benefits for groups and individuals, as well as administration services.[1] [2] GSC is incorporated under a Federal Act of Parliament and regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).[3]

History

GSC's was founded in 1957 in Windsor, Ontario. The founder, pharmacist Bill Wilkinson, and four other pharmacists created Canada's first pre-paid drug plan, and started the company as Prescription Services Inc.[4] [5] GSC policies focus on prioritizing evidence-based treatments,[6] [7] preventive care[8] and claims management strategies. These policies also help to prevent fraud and ensure that provincial coverage pays when possible, while prior authorization may be required for certain treatments. These policies can save money for plan sponsors, but sometimes lead to more paperwork for plan members.[9] [10] GSC has been in the news for working with clients that have dealt with high-profile benefits fraud cases using other insurers.[11] [12]

Headquarters

GSC's head office is located on Anchor Drive in Windsor, Ontario. GSC has regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, London, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.[13]

Community Initiatives

As a not-for-profit, GSC either reinvests profits into the business, or into community health care initiatives across Canada. They have supported a variety of causes linked to wellness, including homelessness,[14] [15] food insecurity,[16] dentistry,[15] sex trafficking,[17] emergency service access,[18] education, mobile outreach vehicles,[19] disaster relief,[20] research[21] and healthcare clinics[14]

Green Shield has also participated in clinical trials designed to encourage physical activity [22] and smoking cessation programs [23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Administrator for Provincial Public Dental Programs novascotia.ca. novascotia.ca. en. 2017-10-20.
  2. Book: Debates of the Senate: Official Report (Hansard)., Issues 43-72. 1992. Queen's Printer. 1563–1565.
  3. Book: McNairn. Colin H. H.. Consolidated Insurance Companies Act of Canada and Regulations. 2004. Carswell. 557.
  4. Web site: van Wageningen. Ellen. Green Shield's growth a Windsor success story. 27 July 2017. 2012-10-25.
  5. Book: Wilkinson. William Arthur. Nightingale. Geoff. Making a difference : the memoirs of William Arthur Wilkinson. 1995. Windsor : Herald Press. 978-0921447276.
  6. Web site: Healthy Outcomes: Low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy touted as alternative to address depression. www.benefitscanada.com. en-US. 2017-10-20.
  7. News: The rise of the 'Three Amigos' of health care: Mayers. Mayers. Adam. 2015-04-13. The Toronto Star. 2017-10-20. en-CA. 0319-0781.
  8. Web site: Drug plan trends report: How drug plans are addressing skyrocketing costs. Welds. Karen. March 18, 2016. Benefits Canada. October 20, 2017.
  9. News: Small-time cheats and organized crime: Benefits fraud re-examined. 2017-10-20. en-US.
  10. Web site: Online claims and benefits fraud. Huberman. Esther. October 12, 2011. Benefits Canada. October 20, 2017.
  11. News: TTC launches lawsuit against Manulife Financial. Rider. David. 2017-09-21. The Toronto Star. 2017-10-20. en-CA. 0319-0781.
  12. News: Police could probe Toronto city staff drug plan claims. Rider. David. 2016-10-28. The Toronto Star. 2017-10-20. en-CA. 0319-0781.
  13. Web site: AGREEMENT By and Between GREEN SHIELD CANADA and NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE, TRANSPORTATION, AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION OF CANADA (CA.W.- CANADA) AND ITS LOCALS 240 AND 673. 27 July 2017.
  14. Web site: Help with oral health on the way. nurun.com. North Bay Nugget. en-CA. 2017-10-20.
  15. Web site: Group petitions for better dental care. nurun.com. Niagara Falls Review. en-CA. 2017-10-20. 2017-01-23.
  16. Web site: Project SHARE marks 25 years. nurun.com. Fort Erie Times. en-CA. 2017-10-20.
  17. News: Escaping sex trade's 'dangerous pit' in Toronto is harder for girls in Canada illegally CambridgeTimes.ca. Adler. Mike. 2016-09-23. CambridgeTimes.ca. 2017-10-20. en-CA.
  18. News: 2-1-1 "Help Starts Here" Campaign. BayToday.ca. 2017-10-20. en.
  19. News: Chasing the dragon WaterlooChronicle.ca. Jackson. Bill. 2016-09-21. WaterlooChronicle.ca. 2017-10-20. en-CA.
  20. Web site: Green Shield Canada Donates 35000 to help British Columbians Affected by Wildfires. The Canadian Business Journal. September 3, 2017.
  21. Web site: B.C. pharmacogenomics project to expand across Canada. Benefits Canada. October 20, 2017.
  22. Mitchell . Mark . etal . December 12, 2016 . Examining Incentives to Promote Physical Activity Maintenance Among Hospital Employees Not Achieving 10,000 Daily Steps: A Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol . JMIR Research Protocols . 5 . 4 . e231 . 10.2196/resprot.6285. 27956377 . 5187449 . free .
  23. Jackson . Mark . etal . July 1, 2008 . Description of a Canadian Employer-Sponsored Smoking Cessation Program Utilizing Community Pharmacy-Based Cognitive Services . Canadian Pharmacists Journal . 141 . 4 . 234–240 . 10.3821/1913-701x(2008)141[234:doaces]2.0.co;2. August 21, 2018.

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