Connect with the SFSS Health & Dental Plan

Call the Toll-Free Information Line:
1 866 369-8795

CHANGE-OF-COVERAGE PERIOD
Sept. 8 - 30, 2009

Why have an extended medical insurance plan?

All the important health-care services listed below aren’t covered by provincial health care (i.e. BC MSP). The Health Plan is a valuable new SFSS service—initiated by a referendum where 79% voted in favour—to help fill the gaps left by provincial health care.

What it costs

The Plan fee is $184.84 ($78.28 for Health and $106.56 for Dental) for coverage from Sept. 1, 2009 - Aug. 31, 2010. It will be automatically included in your tuition and other fees.

Who’s covered

All SFU undergraduate students who are registered for 3 or more credits in September or January at Burnaby, Surrey, or Vancouver campuses are automatically enrolled when paying fees to SFU. This includes international students, exchange or study abroad students, Co-op students on exchange, and co-op students, when paying fees to SFU. Students registered exclusively in Distance Education or programs based outside the Lower Mainland and students enrolled in the Professsional Development Program (PDP) are not automatically covered, but can enrol during the Change-of-Coverage Period.

Who’s not covered

Students registered in Continuing Education and non-credit programs, students studying on exchange or co-op, but who are paying fees to their home institution, and auditing students are not eligible for enrolment.

Please note that graduate students are covered under their own, separate Grad Benefit Plan.

What’s covered

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs,
Covered at 80% with Pay-Direct Card, no forms!
No deductible
BC Pharmacare formulary (all drugs listed with BC MSP are covered)
No annual maximum
Brand name drugs allowed when Physician specifies “no substitution”
Drug exceptions allowed

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are covered at 100% for up to $150 a year.

Vision Care

Eye exams, covered $60 per 24 months
Eyeglasses and contact lenses covered $100 per 24 months
Laser eye surgery covered at up to $150
Extra coverage in Vision Network

Extended benefits

Paramedical practitioners,
Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Naturopath, Osteopath, Speech Therapist, Registered Massage Therapist, Podiatrist/Chiropodist , Psychologist, Registered Clinical Counselor.
Covered 100% up to $30 per visit to $400 annual max. per category (HCC also offers some services here unlimited and free to SFU Students).
Tutor benefit: $10/hour, $300 max. per accident or illness (effective if the student is immobilized by accident or illness for a period greater than 7 days).
Custom made orthotic inserts for shoes (when prescribed): up to $300 / policy year.
Custom made orthopedic shoes up to $300 per policy year
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (aka “Life” Insurance), up to $15,000 per accident.
Extended Care, 100% coverage for:
Ambulances
Durable Medical Equipment: including wheelchair rental, crutches, braces, and prosthesis.
Dental Accident
Diagnostic Services
Home Nurse

Travel Medical Coverage

100% coverage, up to $5,000,000 per lifetime (that’s five million),
120 days per trip, coverage for entire duration of academic exchange, internship or co-op term
Trip cancellation: $1,500 maximum
Trip interruption: $5,000 maximum
Trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance is the 1st of its kind in Canada, and exclusive to studentcare.net/works

Dental Coverage

Up to $600 per policy year insured (+network coverage)
Network coverage, the health plan broker has arranged for many professionals to lower their prices by 20% so students pay almost nothing or nothing. A list of providers is available on the studentcare website.
Preventative Services (Recall exams, cleanings, extraction of impacted teeth, etc.) Insured up to 80%, +20% network coverage for full 100% coverage at many lower mainland dentists. 1 recall exam per 12 months.
Surgical & Restorative Services (Fillings, Extractions) Insured up to 70%, +20% network coverage for full 90% coverage at many lower mainland dentists. 4 Units of scaling per year.
Endodontics & Periodontics, (root canal, gum treatment), Insured up to 70%, +20% network coverage for full 90% coverage at many lower mainland dentists.
Major Restorative (Permanent crowns, bridges, etc) 20% network coverage at many lower mainland dentists.

Covered by another plan? Weigh the costs and benefits

Being enrolled as a dependant in a parent or spouse’s employee benefit plan usually requires your family member to pay additional costs. The SFSS Plan may provide better value. You can also combine it with your other plan to maximize your overall coverage—up to 100%—and eliminate
out-of-pocket costs.

Additional Enrolments

You can enrol your spouse and/or dependants each year by paying an additional fee, over and above your fee as a member of your student society. Common law and same-sex couples are eligible. To enrol your spouse/dependants, visit www.ihaveaplan.ca and follow the
on-screen instructions. Enrolments can only be processed within the Change-of-Coverage Period.

Opt Out

If you have equivalent health and dental coverage, typically a group benefits plan provided through your employer, or your parents’ or spouse’s employer, you can opt out of the SFSS Health and/or Dental Plan online at www.ihaveaplan.ca—it’s fast and convenient, no lineups. You will need to provide proof of your other group benefits, such as a copy of your benefits card or a letter from the employer. Visit www.ihaveaplan.ca for complete details on exactly what you’ll need to opt out. The British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) and Fair PharmaCare don’t provide coverage equivalent to the SFSS Health & Dental Plan. Students can’t opt out if they’re only covered by MSP or Fair PharmaCare. Opt outs can only be processed within the Change-of-Coverage Period.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the plan cover Basic Medical Coverage?
No, the plan is an addition to basic government or private insurance from your home jurisdiction along with basic medical coverage provided by SFU for international students. In other words, you will still have to pay your MSP bills.
If I am already covered by another plan can I “opt-out” of the SFSS plan?
Yes. The broker offers an online opt-out that takes only a few minutes to fill out. You will need to provide proof of coverage (a scanned image or digital photograph of your coverage sheet) to sutdentcare through the ihaveaplan.ca site.
Why is the plan “opt-out” instead of “opt-in”?
Opt-in plans are and were already available to all SFU students; companies like Blue Cross offer extended health and dental coverage for all individuals that pass certain medical criteria. The problem with such plans is that they are very expensive (potentially over $800 a year). By insuring all students (except those who already have extended coverage and opt out) we can offer the plan for a much lower price.
Can I sign up my spouse, partner or children?
Yes. You can add additional people to the plan for a similar price as your own coverage.
Will the coverage evolve and change over time?
Probably. It is important to note that the terms of the SFSS Health & Dental Plan are not carved in stone; the key coverage priorities can change as students establish how they want to use the Plan. Plan benefits can be improved in future years based on surveys and actual usage data. By starting with a moderate-to-high level of coverage and an appropriate cost, the SFSS is in the best position to respond to the specific needs of its membership over the medium to long term.
Can International students participate?
Yes. The Plan is designed to work on top of the basic medical coverage that is available to international students while there is a waiting period to be eligible for provincial healthcare (MSP). Since the Plan covers expenses that aren't covered by basic medicare, such as prescriptions and dental visits, it is designed to cover international students from day one, on an equal basis with all SFSS members - same coverage, same price.