Carleton University Graduate Students’ Association

2012-2013 Health Plan Update Report

January 9, 2013

Our broker Morneau Shepell has provided a document with information and updates about the design, administration, and finances of the plan.. Read the attached PDF.

▼ Download

Exciting New Discounts with the GSA Health, Dental and Accident Plan

The GSA is pleased to announce the implementation of significant savings to our members through the Health, Dental and Accident Plan.

Background

The GSA provides it members’ health plan through the National Student Health Network (NSHN). The NSHN is a buying group coordinated by the Canadian Federation of Students-Services (CFS-S).

New Discounts on Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug costs are the second most expensive part of our health plan (behind dental). The members of the NSHN have been examining ways we can leverage our combined purchasing power to negotiate additional savings for our members. About two years ago, the staff of the CFS-S and Morneau Shepell were instructed to identify and evaluate methods of negotiating savings to the cost of prescription drugs. Several possible options were analyzed by the members of the NSHN. As a result of this initiative, the GSA is pleased to announce that we have negotiated a program with Loblaw. Loblaw is Canada’s largest retailer with over 1,000 stores across Canada.

The Loblaw’s program offers very significant reductions in the cost of prescription drugs for our members versus other possible “discount” plans. It includes a dispensing fee cap of $8.49 and fixed pricing on the ingredient costs. Overall, this program can result in savings of over 20%.

In addition, we are very pleased that Loblaws offers all students a 10% discounts on all in store products every week. This will include all grocery items and other supplies. You do no need to be a member of the GSA health plan to take advantage of the grocery discounts.

These discount programs are being implemented throughout Ottawa in the coming weeks. Below is a partial listing of the stores that are offering the prescription drug discount and the 10% Tuesdays.

The list will be expanding and a full listing will be on the Green Shield website shortly. Here is a listing to date:

Loblaws:

363 Rideau Street (Downtown)
2210 Bank Street (South Keys)

Independent:

296 Bank Street (Hartman’s)
2241 Riverside Drive
2681 Alta Vista Drive
200 Grant Carman

Student Dental Discount Network

A number of years ago, the member groups directed the staff of the NSHN to negotiate and launch the Student Dental Discount Network. The goal was to provide students with access to high quality dental services at discounted costs. Today, this program provides up to 30% discount on dental services. As a member of the GSA Health Plan, you have access to almost 800 dentists across Canada, including over 30 dentists in the Ottawa area. We encourage our members to consult the greenshield website to locate participating dentists close to you.

Vision Discount Network

Members of the Plan are eligible for discounts as follows:

Bay Optical – 33% off the regular price of eyeglasses

Sears Optical, LensCrafters or Pearle Vision store you can receive 30% off the regular retail price of a complete pair of prescription eyeglasses and 20% off the regular price of non-prescription sunglasses and eyewear accessories

Zellers Vision Centres – an additional 10% discount above already “discounted” price packages.

LASIK MD - you are eligible to receive 10% discount off the price of laser vision correction (up to a maximum of $150 CDN); $200 CDN discount on any Zyoptix Custom LASIK procedure

Loblaw Optical (NEW) – as part of the Loblaw program, GSA members will receive a discount of 40% off all lenses and frames and 10% off all contact lenses.

The following stores offer these discounts to-date and more will be added in the coming weeks:

Real Super Store:

4270 Innes Rd. Ottawa

Loblaws:

1980 Ogilvie Rd.
1980 Baseline Rd
1460 Merivale Rd

Independent:

1251 Main Street Stittsville

Health and Dental Insurance Plans for Graduate Students

The GSA offers medical, dental and accident insurance plans designed to be relatively comprehensive and low in cost. All full-time students registered in the Fall Term, including international students, are automatically covered by the plan. Students who register as full-time in the Winter or Summer terms are not automatically covered, but may opt-in to the plan. Part-time students are not automatically covered, but may opt into the plan. Co-op students are subject to the same rules as part-time students. If your co-op is in the Fall Term, you will need to opt in to the health plan. Students may also choose to opt-in spouses (including common-law and same-sex spouses) and their children. Those students with equivalent or greater coverage with another plan can opt-out.

The GSA plan provides a number of student-friendly options. Students can use their Carleton ID card at participating pharmacies and dentists’ offices across Canada to pay only the deductible for their prescription or dental service.

A comprehensive information booklet is available in our offices, on the sixth floor of the Unicentre, or can be downloaded below. On the left, you can also find forms for opting in or out, and for claiming dental benefits or medical benefits.

Insurance Plan Information Booklet

Download the Insurance Plan Booklet for complete information about the 2012-2013 coverage and other details.

▼ Download

Plan Members

Full-time Students
All full-time students registered in the Fall Term, including international students, are automatically covered by the plan. Plan charges are automatically added on to student fees when the Carleton computer registration system tabulates full-time student status.

Students who register as full-time in the Winter or Summer terms are not automatically covered, but may opt into the plan using the information below.

Part-time Students
Part-time students are not automatically covered, but may opt into the plan. Co-op students are subject to the same rules as part-time students. If your co-op is in the Fall Term, you will need to opt in to the health plan. Student may opt in to the plan using the form below.

January Start Students

If your studies started in January or you were otherwise not enrolled in September, you have an opportunity to opt into the Health Plan in January. Do so fill out the opt in form and bring it to the GSA Office with cash, certified cheque, or money order on or by February 1st. You may also opt in dependants at this time. Student who were enrolled during the Fall may not use this opt in period.

Plan Number for 2012-13: 51003, effective September 1st, 2012.

Plan Number for 2011-12: 32009. This plan number took affect on September 1st, 2011.

Insurance Plan Costs

Students:
Drug/Accident: $95.00
Dental: $83.00
Both: $178.00

Couple (add one person):
Drug: $190.00
Dental: $180.00
Both: $370.00

Family (add up to 4 people):
Drug: $280.00
Dental: $300.00
Both: $580.00

Opting In and Out

Opting In
Part-time and co-op students and students wanting couple or family coverage (including same-sex and common-law couples) may opt into the plan by paying the premium by October 5 2012 for the fall term and by February 1 2013 for the winter term (students who register as full-time in the winter or summer terms must also opt in before the winter deadline). The form for this is available in the forms section on the left.

Students are required to show proof of enrollment prior to opting into a couple/family plan.

Opting Out
Full-time students who are already covered under a similar policy may opt out of the plan, with a refund, by October 7 2012. Students must provide proof of similar or better coverage in the form of written documentation from their insurance provider.

Graduate Students may opt out online at studentplans.ca.

Opt-out cheques must be collected by April 30th 2013.

Undergraduate students who may want to opt out or opt in of their health plan should visit CUSA or contact CUSA by phone at 613-520-6688.

Filing a Claim

To file a claim for medical, accident, or dental reimbursement, you can download the appropriate form in the forms section on the left. Or, you can pick one up at the GSA office (600 Unicentre).

Your ID Number for filing claims is CAR + your student number

Travel Insurance

The GSA also provides travel insurance at no additional cost to grad students through the National Student Health Network with Global Excel under ETFS (Expert Travel Financial Security). Coverage is for a maximum of 60 days, and for a maximum of $5000 per student for emergency medical care. See the travel plan booklet below for full information on the travel insurance coverage.

To enrol and get travel coverage you MUST submit a travel insurance request form to the GSA office at least 14 days prior to leaving. The form is available in the forms section, or at the GSA office on the 6th floor of the Unicenter. Once the form is submitted, we will send you confirmation and proof of coverage that you will need should you require care out of the country.

Note that for periods longer than 60 days arrangements can be made with the insurer to continue coverage at a student’s expense. Let us know if you will need to make this sort of arrangment.

This coverage is for emergency medical only, not for flight cancellations, or for lost luggage.

▼ Download

Extra Health Coverage for Grads

Dental Coverage
Another funding avenue is through the GSA, which offers an emergency dental grant. The GSA dental grant was created with the understanding that grad students sometimes face significant dental expenses. The grant assists grad students in offsetting the cost of urgent and necessary dental repairs and services. Application forms, as well as an explanation of documentation required from the dentist, can be picked up at the GSA office, on the sixth floor of the Unicentre or can be found here .

Vision, Child Care, and UHIP Coverage
If you’re a TA, there are additional resources available to you. In 2000, CUPE 4600 successfully bargained for the University to provide an employee assistance fund. In addition to a child care subsidy, this fund can also be used to cover part of the costs of TAs’ vision care expenses as well as part of international students’ UHIP costs.

To apply for any of these funding options, you can download a form at 4600.cupe.ca or you can pick up a form at the CUPE office on the fifth floor of the Unicentre.

< Previous | Page 1 | Page 2 | Next >