Most claims that are submitted online take about 2 business days to process, but depending on the type of claim could take up to 12 business days. You can check the status of your claims in Claim history.

Check the status of your claims in Claim history.

The specific time limit for submitting a claim depends on your plan. We recommend you submit your claims as soon as you can.

Go to Make a claim and follow the instructions. You'll either be able to submit your claim online or you'll be presented with a PDF claim form you can download, complete and submit online. You can also see the claim forms that apply to your plan in Forms.

Go to Claim history and select Processed claims. From the list, select the claim you’re looking for. Your explanation of benefits will display. You can print or save a PDF if you need it for income tax purposes or to coordinate benefits with another plan.

They’re in your profile under the Plan details section. You can also find them on your benefits card.

To find out what coverage your plan includes, check Coverages and balances. You'll find information about the type of coverage your plan provides. You'll also see how much of your coverage you’ve used, and how much you have left to spend. Some benefits and services you’re covered for aren’t listed in Coverage and balances. See your member booklet for more detailed coverage information.

Your plan may or may not have some coverage for out-of-country medical emergencies. To check, see your member booklet. If you do have coverage, your booklet will provide details about plan maximums, deductibles, coinsurance, trip limits and coverage limitations that may apply. If you do have coverage be sure you can access your benefits card when you travel. It contains travel assistance info.

When more than one plan provides coverage, they work together to pay your claims. 

How to find out which group plan pays first 

Look for your scenario here and then submit your claims in the order shown. Send your claim to the first plan on the list. After your claim has been processed, if there are any unpaid amounts, submit a claim to the next plan on the list. Work your way down the list one by one as applicable. 

I am married (or living common-law) and we each have a group benefits plan 

• Your own benefits plan. 
• Your spouse’s plan. 

Likewise, your spouse’s claims should be submitted to their own plan first. 

I am married (or living common-law) and we are submitting a claim for our child 

• Plan of the parent whose birthday (month and day) falls earlier in the calendar year (ignore the year of birth and just look at month and day). 
• Other parent’s plan. 

I have joint custody of my children. My ex and I are each remarried or living common-law. 

• Plan of parent whose birthday come first in the calendar year (ignore the year of birth and just look at month and day). 
• Plan of the second parent. 
• Plan of the spouse of the parent whose birthday comes first. 
• Plan of the spouse of the second parent. 

I have sole custody of my children. My ex and I are each remarried or living common-law. 

• Plan of the parent with sole custody. 
• Plan of the spouse of the parent with sole custody. 
• Plan of the second parent. 
• Plan of the spouse of the second parent. 

I am a full-time university student with coverage through my university and through my job, but am also considered a dependent under my parent’s plan.  

• Your student or work plan, whichever one you got coverage with first. Your student or work plan, whichever one you got coverage with second. 
• Your parent’s plan.  

Exception: if the student is a Quebec resident, and is submitting a drug claim, submit to the student plan last. I have 2 jobs and have coverage with both Plan of the full-time job. Plan of the part-time job.  Note: If you work the same hours at both jobs or have 2 part-time jobs, submit to the plan of the job where you started working first. I have a retiree plan and a plan at my new job Plan of your new job. Retiree plan. 

I have 2 jobs and have coverage with both

• Plan of the full-time job. 
• Plan of the part-time job. 

Note: If you work the same hours at both jobs or have 2 part-time jobs, submit to the plan of the job where you started working first. 

I have a retiree plan and a plan at my new job

• Plan of your new job. 
• Retiree plan. 

Customary charges are used to determine how much your plan will cover for a specific service or supply (the maximum eligible amount). A charge is considered customary if: 

• It’s consistent with typical pricing in the area where treatment was provided. 
• It's the price in the fee guide for a professional association – such as a dental association. 
• It's the maximum price by law.  

If your provider charges more than what’s customary, you'll be responsible for the difference. If your plan has health coverage, you can look up typical customary charges in Coverage and balances. 

Getting an estimate works like this:  

First, ask your provider for a document outlining the services, medical equipment or supplies and the estimated cost of the expense. 

Next, to get an estimate of what will be covered, go to Make a claim and select Start a claim. When asked to select a claim type, choose Estimates and other claims. Follow the steps until you’re presented with a claim form. 

You then have 2 options: 

• Upload the estimate document from your provider. No need to use the claim form, or 
• Download and complete the claim form (indicate somewhere on the form that it's for an estimate) and then upload it along with any supporting documents.  

Please note: Using the method of communication indicated in your profile, we'll provide an estimate of the dollar amount that is eligible for reimbursement. This may differ from the actual amount that's covered. 

We display Health, Dental, Drug, and Vision benefits. At this time, Disability, Life, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage can’t be displayed.  For disability questions, contact your local disability management services office. For help with your Life and AD&D benefits, Contact us.

Visit the Health Library on our Health and Wellness site for information about drugs, treatment plans, healthy living tips and more.   For details about the drugs and treatments your plan covers, refer to your member booklet.

Use our drug coverage search tool to search by name or drug identification number (DIN). Go to Coverage and balances and navigate to your drug coverage. Then select the Drug search tab.

Look up the prior authorization form for the drug in Forms and complete the member section. Then ask your doctor to complete the physician section of the form. Upload the completed form in Contact us or send it to the address indicated on the form.

They both work together to pay eligible drugs costs. Here’s how it works: your provincial plan has a deductible. Canada Life pays for eligible prescriptions up until you reach your provincial deductible. After you’ve reached your deductible, your provincial plan pays. Canada Life may also cover eligible prescriptions that your provincial plan doesn’t cover.

Apply for your provincial drug plan at a pharmacy or on your provincial government’s website. In Saskatchewan, look for Special Support Program. In BC and Manitoba, Pharmacare. Once you receive a confirmation letter showing that you have successfully registered, send us a copy to one of the following. 

Email: sdppharmacare@gwl.ca

Fax: 204-946-7664 

Mail: Canada Life Drug Claims Management PO Box 6000 Winnipeg MB  R3C 3A5 

Questions about how Canada Life drug coverage works with provincial plans in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan? Call us at 1-800-957-9777.

If you don’t register for your provincial drug plan, your drug claims may be declined. When you try to fill prescriptions using your Canada Life pay direct drug card, you may receive messages advising you to enrol in your provincial plan or notifying you that payment will be or has been suspended. 

You are receiving these messages because you are trying to claim drug expenses that should be paid for by your provincial plan (called Special Support Program in Saskatchewan, and Pharmacare in BC and Manitoba). You must register for your provincial plan or your drug claims will be declined. Canada Life doesn’t cover drug costs that are covered by your provincial plan.  

Questions about how Canada Life drug coverage works with provincial plans in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan? Call us at 1-800-957-9777.

Pharmacare has sent you a cheque to reimburse you for a drug claim that was already paid for by Canada Life. This means that we paid for claims that should have been paid for by Pharmacare. Please send us a cheque in the same amount as the cheque you received from Pharmacare to: 

Canada Life Drug Claims Management PO Box 6000 Winnipeg MB  R3C 3A5 Include your plan number and member ID in your submission.