• How is it different from MSP?
• What does my plan cover?
• How much does it cost?
• How do I enroll in the plan?
• When does my coverage begin and end?
• Can I add my family onto the plan?
• What if I already have coverage?
• How do I opt out of the plan?
• What are the opt-out deadlines?
• How do I get my Student Health Card?
• How do I make a claim on the plan?
• Do I need to keep my card with me at all times?
• What is the Black Out Period?
• Where do I find my benefits?
• Where can I use my SCSU Health and Dental Plan?
• Why is the plan mandatory?
• What is BC MSP?
• What is BC Fair Pharma Care?
• Why do I need to have Health and Dental plan?
• I am a part-time student. Am I eligible to be included?
• I am planning to travel or go on student exchange this year. Am I still covered?
• Do you have a question that wasn't answered here?

What is the SCSU Health & Dental Plan?

How is it different from MSP?

The plan does not replace British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan or other provincial health plans; it supplements these plans by providing coverage above and beyond what they offer. For example, if you fall ill, MSP covers the cost of your visit to the doctor, but not any drugs the doctor might prescribe.

The Health and Dental Plans provides extended health coverage, above and beyond the provincial health coverage. Enrolment in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) or any other provincial or territorial plan does NOT constitute equivalent coverage for the purpose of opting out.
You should not cancel your MSP coverage while covered under the Students' Union health and dental plan. However, as a student, you may qualify for a subsidy of your provincial health care costs (Premium Assistance). The Students' Union can help you find more information about applying for Premium Assistance.

Many students are not covered by private insurers, and as such are personally responsible for all expenses beyond those covered by the provincial plan. Needless to say, this can be very expensive and more than the typical student can afford.

What does my plan cover?

Click here to see your benefits:

How much does it cost?

You are automatically enrolled provided you meet the eligibility criteria:

1. you are a member of SCSU,
2. you are in an applicable program,
3. you meet the full-time criteria for your program,
4. you are a trades and vocational student enrolled in a course that lasts sixteen (16) or more weeks
5. you are residing in Canada,
6. you have paid your student fees owed to the College in full,
7. you are under the age of 70, and
8. you are covered by a provincial health care plan or equivalent

The fees for extended medical and dental are included in your fees when you pay for tuition (under student society fees and then under health and dental). If you are unsure about whether or not you qualify, you can visit the SCSU Offices.

When does my coverage begin and end?

For eligible students starting in the fall semester, coverage begins September 1st and ends August 31st. For eligible students starting in the winter semester, coverage begins January 1st and ends August 31st.

For eligible Trades, Technology or Vocational (continuous intake programs) students, your coverage is based on your date of entry to your program. If you start your program after the January entry date, the dates of the plan will be 12 calendar months from the beginning of your program.

All students in the plan (except for new students during the black-out period) may inquire into the status of their claims or the extent of their coverage by contacting Green Shield directly at 1-888-711-1119. You will need to provide them your Green Shield identification number, which is the 3 letter prefix “SSA” plus your student number.

Can I add my family onto the plan?

Each year there is an opportunity to purchase family coverage for your spouse and / or dependants by completing an application form with the SCSU Health and Dental Coordinator. All family add-on forms must be completed by the application deadline for the semester period enrolment.

* Your family add-on is not automatically renewed. In order for your family’s benefits to continue, you must purchase the coverage before the application deadline. The deadline for this is Sept 20th.

What if I already have coverage?

Co-ordination of Benefits

Benefits under two plans can be coordinated to increase you coverage up to a total of 100% of the actual expenses incurred. For example, after submitting your claim to your parent’s plan, employer plan, or other coverage; you can submit the remainder to the SCSU Health and Dental Plan to receive a full reimbursement.

How do I opt out of the plan?

If you are an eligible student and have comparable health and / or dental coverage you may apply to waive benefits. Each student is given one opportunity to waive benefits under the health and / or dental plan each year. The easiest and quickest way to opt out is online at www.studentplans.ca.

If your waiver is approved you will be credited or refunded the monies. There are no exceptions of extensions for students who do not submit their completed waiver for to the Health and Dental Coordinator by the application deadline.

What are the opt-out deadlines?

The opt-out deadline is September 20th, 2010 and for students starting programs in January, it is January 17th, 2011.

How do I get my Student Health Card?

Click on the link below to download you Health and Dental Card.

https://onlineservices.greenshield.ca/studentcentre/

Your identification number at Green Shield is your student number + the 3 letter prefix “SSA”. For example, a plan member’s ID number would appear as:

SSA 1234567-00.

The ‘00’ indicates a plan member. ‘01’ designates a spouse, and ‘02’, ‘03’ etc. are used for dependent children.

Space is provided on the card to write your name (as it is registered with SCSU) and your six-digit student number.

How do I make a claim on the plan?

1. Pay Direct

The easiest way to make a claim is by using the pay-direct card, which allows your medical service provider to bill the Health and Dental Benefit Plan directly. To obtain the card, either visit the Member Services Desk in the Independent Center, or download it from https://onlineservices.greenshield.ca/studentcentre/

Many health service providers (pharmacists and dentists, and increasing numbers of chiropractors, optometrists and other paramedical professionals) are equipped to offer this service.

2. Out-of-Pocket Claims by Mail.

To receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, mail your receipts and appropriate documentation to Green Shield Canada. To obtain claim forms please visit Green Shield's website to print forms directly or visit the Students' Union office to get preprinted copies of the claim forms.

Claims must be submitted to Green Shield within 12 months of the date the service was rendered.

Do I need to keep my card with me at all times?

Please remember to carry your Green Shield Health Card at all times, as the card also includes Green Shield's customer service number: 1-888-711-1119. When you indicate you have extended medical insurance to your pharmacist or dentist, they will ask you to produce your card in order to assist with your health and dental insurance claims. Also, when attending your dentist's office, take your SCSU health and dental plan coverage booklet (the booklet is available at any SCSU office) with you, as most dentists prefer to review the extent of a patient's insurance before planning treatment.

What is the Black Out Period?

If you have been on the plan in previous years, you do not have a black out period. If this is your first year on the Health and Dental plan, the black out period begins on the first day of coverage (September 1st for most students) and is generally around 45 days in duration. During this period the Students' Union is in the process of updating the enrollment list with opt-outs and additions. The updated enrollment list is sent to Green Shield to be loaded on their database after the end of the opt-out period. Once the list of members has been uploaded on the Green Shield database, active coverage begins.

Any health or dental costs that are incurred during the black out period will not be eligible for the direct billing option and members are advised to save all receipts for covered costs. After the end of the black out period you will be able to mail in your expense receipts to Green Shield and you will be mailed a reimbursement check for all of the cost that are covered under the plan.

Please visit Green Shield's website to print out forms for health and dental reimbursement forms or visit the SCSU office on your campus to get preprinted copies of the claim forms.

Where do I find my benefits?

You can find them online at http://www.greenshield.ca/English/StudentCentre/ or stop by the SCSU office on your campus.

Where can I use my SCSU Health and Dental Plan?

The SCSU Health and Dental Plan can be used anywhere in Canada.

Why is the plan mandatory?

Carriers offer benefits on an opt-out basis due to anti-selection associated with an ‘opt-in’ arrangement. Anti-selection refers to a situation where only those who need coverage will seek it out; that is, if a person’s claims are expected to exceed the premium they pay, they will then join the plan, as it is to their economic benefit. In situations like these, the benefit plan cost per student continues to escalate until it is beyond affordability.

Under an opt-out program, the costs are spread across a much larger group of people, which has the effect of reducing overall costs and allowing the plan to be both affordable and comprehensive.

What is BC MSP?

In order to claim health benefits under the SCSU Health and Dental Plan, you must be covered by the B.C. Medical Services Plan (MSP), or another provincial healthcare plan, or have other provincial equivalent coverage.

MSP is public health insurance, but most people still have to pay premiums, unless eligible to apply for MSP Premium Assistance. Anyone residing in B.C. for longer than six months is required by law to enroll in the B.C. MSP and pay premiums directly to the plan. All residents of B.C. (including international students) are eligible to apply to the MSP, but your application will take three months to process.

There is a waiting period before MSP coverage begins; this is the rest of the month in which you arrive in B.C. plus two months. For example, if you arrive in B.C. on August 25, you will be eligible for MSP on November 1. Be sure to contact MSP within one month after submitting your application to confirm that they received your application.

It is our understanding that any eligible person who submitted an application will be covered after the waiting period, even if their CareCard has not arrived. If this happens to you, you may need to pay at the time you receive health care, keep the receipt, and request reimbursement from MSP once your card arrives.

B.C. MSP: 604-683-7151 or healthservices.gov.bc.ca.

What is BC Fair Pharma Care?

B.C. Fair PharmaCare – Register and save money

With Fair PharmaCare, students now have access to the second most generous drug coverage in the country! The BC government introduced Fair PharmaCare to replace the PharmaCare program and improve the health status of residents across the province. The income-based program is designed to provide fair access to coverage for prescription drugs – the lower your income, the more assistance the government will provide toward your eligible drug costs. For example, if your net income from two years ago was less than ,000 and you have registered for Fair PharmaCare, you will have 70 per cent of your eligible prescription drug costs covered immediately, with no deductible.

All B.C. residents are eligible for Fair PharmaCare.

Five good reasons why you should register for Fair PharmaCare

1. To maximize your overall drug coverage;
2. To reduce out-of-pocket costs;
3. To help offset costs for the SCSU Health and Dental Plan, keeping the fees at a lower rate for all students;
4. To have the appropriate deductible assigned to you by Fair PharmaCare (students who do not register will automatically be assigned the highest deductible level);
5. To have your claims properly coordinated with your SCSU Health and Dental plan.

To register for Fair PharmaCare, please visit healthservices.gov.bc.ca/pharme/ or call 604-683-7151. Students who are not eligible for Fair PharmaCare can still claim prescription drug expenses under their SCSU Health and Dental Plan.

Do you have a question about your Health and Dental Plans? This should help.

Please stop by your Students' Union offices in the Castlegar or Nelson campuses for more information or to pick up forms.

Why do I need to have Health and Dental plan?
The Health and Dental plans are insurance against the need for expensive health services. Health services are extremely expensive and can seriously impact your ability to buy food or pay rent. Such items as basic dental work and birth control pills are important in maintaining your health. Ignoring these items can lead to more expensive and emergency care, which could cripple an individual already dealing with a fixed, limited budget. The worst case scenario would be to drop out.

I am a part-time student. Am I eligible to be included?
Part-time students are not enrolled on the plan automatically but can opt in to the health and dental plan during the opt on period if they wish.

I am planning to travel or go on student exchange this year. Am I still covered?
Your coverage includes out-of-country travel benefits, for up to 180 days per trip. You can read more details about available coverage in your Students' Union dayplanner/handbook. If you have specific questions about what is covered, the Students' Union can help you find answers.

Do you have a question that wasn't answered here?
Luckily, we have a Health and Dental Coordinator that you can contact in the case your question wasn't answered in this section. He rotates though all campuses every week, so here are the numbers of the offices you can find him at.