Greenshield's survey shows 65% of self-employed value flexibility, but 33% worry about health costs
A survey from GreenShield reveals that Canadians transitioning into self-employment or retirement share concerns about rising health costs and gaps in health benefits, which complicate access to care.
These life changes highlight the need for solutions that make health support more accessible and affordable, enabling Canadians to maintain independence and peace of mind.
The survey identifies 2.7 million self-employed individuals in Canada. Among these respondents, 65 percent cite being their own boss as the greatest advantage of self-employment, while 61 percent value the flexibility of managing their schedules.
However, over 33 percent express concerns about inadequate health care coverage and the potential costs involved since becoming self-employed.
Retirees also face similar challenges, with 64 percent identifying freedom from work-related stress as a primary benefit of retirement, and 63 percent highlighting the ability to manage their own schedules.
Despite these positives, nearly half of the retirees surveyed find the aging process difficult, with health concerns being a significant factor.
While 78 percent say they now have more time to focus on their health, more than 50 percent report that navigating and securing health coverage remains costly and complicated.
“These findings paint a picture of self-employment and retirement as major life milestones that can be both exhilarating and challenging as individuals navigate new financial and lifestyle realities,” says JP Girard, executive vice president and head of GreenShield Insurance.
Girard emphasizes that as the number of self-employed and retired Canadians grows, access to convenient health coverage and care is essential to meet their needs.
The survey shows that 52 percent of self-employed individuals have a health care benefits plan, either through themselves or a spouse. Among them, 86 percent consider mental health support important, yet two-thirds of those without coverage state they cannot afford it.
Challenges such as irregular income contribute to significant stress for 51 percent of self-employed respondents, with 33 percent experiencing burnout and 25 percent feeling isolated.
Additionally, 53 percent describe the process of finding and applying for health coverage as complicated or confusing, while 43 percent express concerns about access to health care as they age. Another 39 percent worry about addressing potential health issues in the future.
Retirees share similar struggles, with 63 percent expressing concerns about accessing health care as they age and 54 percent worried about addressing potential future health issues.
While 60 percent of retirees value comprehensive benefits coverage, 76 percent view mental health support as important.
Despite this, only 21 percent report being able to afford such support, and 25 percent say they sometimes forego health-care services to save money.
GreenShield addresses these challenges by reimagining health care for Canadians.
As the country’s only national non-profit health and benefits company, it integrates insurance, benefits administration, and claims payment with services such as telemedicine, mental health support, pharmacy care, and chronic disease management.
Through its GreenShield+ platform, the company promises Canadians timely access to quality care, with streamlined benefits claims processing.
