Health and Dental

What is the TRUSU Health & Dental Plan?

Your Students’ Union operates an extended health and dental insurance plan for one simple reason - to make healthcare affordable. If any student were to seek private health insurance coverage, the cost would be too great and the benefits too limited. By pooling our resources as students, we are able to realize incredible savings through economies of scale. And of course, we all benefit from having the peace of mind that having quality coverage brings.

We hope this year will be worry free. However, if your health does falter, your extended health and dental plans will be there to support you. Further, many of your plan benefits support health promotion and illness prevention, such as annual dental cleaning and maintenance medication. Being proactive about your health and dental needs is as much of a worthwhile investment in your future as your education is. So feel free to take advantage of those benefits. 

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.

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 the link below to see all of your benefits:

www.greenshield.ca/studentcentre

How much does it cost?

The Health and Dental Plan costs $248.00 academic year. The coverage starts in September and ends in August of the same academic year.

How do I enroll in the plan?

You are automatically enrolled provided you meet the eligibility criteria:

  1. you are a member of TRUSU;
  2. you are in an applicable program;
  3. you meet the full-time criteria for your program;
  4. you are residing in Canada;
  5. you are under the age of 70; and
  6. 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 TRUSU Member Services Desk located in the Independent Centre.

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 from the start of the month your program begins for one year. For example, if you register for a program that begins on October 17th, your coverage will run from October 1st to September 30th.

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 “TRU” 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 at the TRUSU Student Benefits Office. All family add-on forms must be completed by the application deadline for the semester period enrolment. There are two options to add your family.

  1. You may add one additional member to the plan for $286
  2. You may add an unlimited number of members for $382

* 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 30th..

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 TRUSU 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. You must opt out online at www.studentplans.ca by the deadline of the semester enrollment period.

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 by the application deadline.

Once your waiver has been accepted you will not be on the plan as long as you are an eligible student. If your comparable coverage is terminated you have 30 days to notify the TRUSU Member Services Desk in order to obtain coverage.

What are the opt-out deadlines?

If you are an academic that starts in the fall semester the opt-out deadline is October 2nd, 2009. For those students who enroll for the first time in the winter semester the opt-out deadline is January 29th, 2010. Trades, Technology or Vocational (continuous intake programs) students have 30 days after their program start date.

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 “TRU”.   For example, a plan member’s ID number would appear as:

TRU1234567-00. 

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 TRUSU) and your seven-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.

NOTE:

The Health & Dental benefits are being moved from Great West Life to Green Shield Canada effective September 1, 2009 

Claims which are incurred up to August 31, 2008 need to be submitted to Great West Life within 90 days of the plan’s termination. 

Claims incurred on September 1, 2009 and after are submitted to Green Shield for payment. 

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 TRUSU health and dental plan coverage booklet (the booklet is available at the TRUSU Member Services Desk) 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 TRUSU Member Services Desk in the Independent Centre 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 TRUSU Member Services Desk in the Independent Centre.

Where can I use my TRUSU Health and Dental Plan?

The TRUSU 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 TRUSU 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 TRUSU 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 TRUSU 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 TRUSU Health and Dental Plan.