Canada has some 2.7 million self-employed workers. According to a GreenShield survey, 65% of respondents who are self-employed believe that being their own boss is one of the biggest benefits of their status, with 61% of them indicating that they place particular value on the flexibility in their workload and schedule. However, more than 33% say they are concerned about health care, including significant concerns about inadequate coverage and possible costs since becoming self-employed.
Canadian retirees surveyed have similar concerns. While 64% of those surveyed consider freedom from work-related stress and 63% the freedom to manage their own schedule to be fundamental benefits of retirement, almost half of them believe difficult aging, mainly due to related health problems. Although 78% of respondents report having more time to devote to their health during retirement, more than 50% say obtaining medical and health care insurance remains expensive and complex.
“These findings portray self-employment and retirement as important periods of life that can be both exciting and difficult as you have to face new financial and lifestyle realities,” says JP Girard , executive vice president, head of GreenShield Insurance. “As the number of self-employed workers and retirees continues to increase, it is essential for Canadians to have access to insurance and health care that truly meets their needs. »
Key findings regarding self-employed Canadians
- 52% of self-employed workers currently benefit from a health insurance benefit plan, either individually or through a spouse’s plan.
- 86% value mental health support — yet 66% of people without any protection currently cannot afford it.
- Self-employment presents challenges, for example income irregularity. Of the self-employed workers surveyed, 51% experience significant stress and anxiety, 33% face burnout and 25% are concerned about isolation.
- 53% believe the process of finding and applying for health insurance is complicated or confusing.
- 43% are concerned about access to health care to address health concerns as they age.
- 39% are concerned about access to health care to address health issues that may arise.
Key findings regarding retirees
- 63% of retirees are concerned about access to care for health concerns as they age.
- 54% are concerned about access to care to address health problems that may arise.
- 60% of retirees value comprehensive coverage in their benefit plans.
- 76% value mental health support — yet only 21% of people say they can afford it.
- 25% say they sometimes do without certain health services to save money.
Insurance and healthcare in one place
More than just a provider of benefits, GreenShield is reinventing health care to meet the evolving needs of Canadians. As Canada’s only not-for-profit insurance and healthcare services company, GreenShield integrates insurance, plan administration and claims processing with healthcare services such as support in mental health, telemedicine, pharmaceutical services, as well as the management of chronic diseases. Thanks to its integrated GreenShield+ platform, the organization has designed a unique solution allowing Canadians to quickly access the quality health care they need by benefiting from faster treatment and payment of claims.
GreenShield’s new campaign titled « Getting old isn’t always easy! » features advertisements on television, social media and YouTube. It showcases how the company empowers Canadians to take control of their health through seamless integration of coverage and care.
“Canadians deserve the peace of mind and support they need to thrive at every stage of life,” says Mandy MailExecutive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and GreenShield Cares. “Our campaign aims to provide Canadians with a health care and insurance experience designed with their needs in mind. Using a satirical approach that is both compelling and realistic, the campaign showcases the benefits of our unique integrated model, which easily allows users to check their coverage, connect with healthcare providers, and manage their reimbursement requests, all on one user-friendly platform. »
Insurance and care designed to all Canadians
An engaged nonprofit founded in 1957, GreenShield is dedicated to promoting health equity. Through its shared value creation model, it combines social objectives and business growth to meet the unmet needs of Canadians and improve health outcomes. In this way, it drives substantial change for a healthier future and becomes a force for good. Learn about the impact of GreenShield.
View the full survey report ici.
About the survey
This online survey was conducted by Navigator’s Discover research firm on behalf of GreenShield between December 5 and 16, 2024. We surveyed 400 self-employed workers and 400 retirees or pre-retirees (who intend to retire within the next five coming years) Canadians. A completely random survey of a sample of this size (n=800) would yield a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
GreenShield and Bref
The only not-for-profit insurance and health care services company across Canada, GreenShield believes that access to health care is a right, not a privilege. We are committed to improving health outcomes, contributing to systemic change and building a future where every Canadian can reach their full health potential.
We’re delivering a whole new insurance and healthcare experience by bringing these services together in one place. All of this is offered under our unique “provider pays” model: “provider” because we offer a variety of health care services, including mental health, pharmacy, chronic disease management and telemedicine. , and “payer” because we provide insurance, plan administration and claims processing services.
We are a non-profit company, therefore without shareholders, which allows us to prioritize reinvesting our excess revenue directly in supporting underserved communities. Through GreenShield Community, the company has committed to investing $75 million to improve the health of more than one million Canadians by the end of 2025, et particularly within the framework of its mental health, essential medicines, oral care and chronic disease management programs. Our scalable initiatives make it possible to make important changes towards better health for all. GreenShield is proud of its corporate culture, which has been recognized as one of Canada’s most admired. She is also proud to have obtained the Caring Company certification from Imagine Canada and to have seen her name included on Fortune’s “Change the World” list.
GreenShield, collectively the Green Shield Association and Green Shield Holdings Inc., combines our insurance, health, claims processing and group insurance plan administration activities, including Green Shield Insurance Canada (AGSC ), Green Shield Health inc., Green Shield Adjudication inc. and Green Shield Administration Inc. Green Shield Holdings Inc. is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of the Green Shield Association, a non-profit organization.
SOURCE GreenShield Holdings Inc.
Please direct media inquiries or any other inquiries to: Sarah Mortimer, Communications Director, [email protected]647 221-9037
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