About your plan

OCSU, along with many other colleges and universities across Canada, offers an extended health and dental plan to help students cover the cost of medical needs. Our coverage is provided by Green Shield Canada and covers a wide variety of services.

Please note that the Students’ Union is required to adhere to and respect legislation, which governs the protection of privacy. Accordingly, personal information relating to student accounts, health and dental plan enrolment and application, and claims shall remain confidential to approved parties; and the personal details of a student account shall remain confidential to the Students’ Union, Okanagan College and the student. Therefore, private information about student accounts will not be released to parents.

Your Health & Dental plan provider is Green Shield Canada.

Benefits Book

Plan Eligibility

All students are strongly encouraged to verify if they have been charged for the plan by reviewing their Okanagan College tuition fee statement.

Eligible:

Most students who are taking at least one semester of classes are eligible. All students who are eligible for the Health & Dental plan are automatically enrolled. If you already have coverage and would like to opt out, please see our opt-out section.

Students who meet all of the following criteria are considered eligible:

The student is an OCSU member (taking classes in either Kelowna, Penticton, or Salmon Arm)
The program they are enrolled in is at least 16 weeks long
The student is taking at least two classes per semester. This means that most full-time and part-time students are eligible, as long as all other criteria is met

Most Trades Foundations students are also eligible.

Not eligible:

ABE students
Distance Education students
Co-op students
Trades Apprenticeship students
Any student whose program is less than 16 weeks long

Students in programs longer than 12 months (Practical Nursing)

For students who are in a program longer than 12 months and would still like to receive coverage throughout their entire program, you will need to contact OCSU at health-dental@ocsu.ca to complete an opt-in form and make the payment directly to OCSU so you can have coverage for an additional 12 months. **Please note that this only applies to students whose coverage term ends before the end of their program.**

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell if I’m covered?

Eligible students are automatically charged for the plan when they get their fee statement. The easiest way to determine if you are on the OCSU Extended Health & Dental plan is to look at your fee statement.

If you are already on the plan, you will see two lines: One for the extended health plan, and one for the extended dental plan. They add up to $250 combined.

Not eligible:

ABE students
Co-op students
Trades Apprenticeship students
Students enrolled in programs shorter than 16 weeks in length

Can I opt out?

You can opt out if you already have health and dental insurance with another provider. Learn more about opting out here.

How much does the plan cost? Is it billed monthly?

Your plan costs $250 per year. You are only billed at the start of your school year.

What does the plan cover?

Your plan covers a wide range of services. We’ve listed some of the most asked-about ones below. You can check the full range of coverage here.

Prescriptions: 80% up to $2000/year
Dental: 70% for routine care & cleanings up to $700/year
Psychologist, Social Worker/Counsellor, or Master of Social Work: $75 per session up to $500/year
Chiropractors & Physiotherapists: $45/visit up to $300 a year

What’s my GSC ID number?

Your GSC ID is OSU[your student number]-00. So for example, OSU300123456-00. This is the number you give to your health care practitioner to directly bill your claim to Green Shield.

How do I use the plan?

When you pick up prescription meds, or go to the dentist, or see a physiotherapist, be sure to let the practitioner (or the receptionist) that you have health insurance. Give them your GSC ID number, which is OSU[your student number]-00. A portion of the bill will immediately and automatically be paid by Green Shield (if the service/medical item is covered in your plan) so you pay less money out-of-pocket. This is called direct billing.

You can also manually submit claims. This is useful if your provider doesn’t do direct billing, or you forgot to give them your GSC ID. You submit claims by creating an account on Green Shield’s website – more on that below. A typical claim submission includes filling out a form and uploading a picture of a receipt. Be sure to sign up for direct deposit so you get your money back faster!

If you have any questions about your plan/coverage, feel free to ask us!

For technical issues with your GSC online account, Green Shield are your experts.

How do I create an online account?

While registering for an online account isn’t necessary to use your plan, it’s strongly encouraged. Registering for online services lets you submit claims manually and gives you access to things like your claims history, health tips, plan details, and more. You can even submit practice claims, which is useful for checking how much Green Shield will pay for your service and how much you will have to pay out of pocket.

Online services are not available during the Blackout/Registration period. Once the Blackout is over you will also get an email with instructions on how to set up your online account from our third-party plan administrator, J&D Benefits.

If you have any problems with registering your account, or you have any questions, please contact us.

Is this the same as Guard.Me or MSP?

No, Guard.Me and MSP are quite different from the Health & Dental plan. Guard.Me and MSP provide basic health coverage, while the extended Health & Dental benefits plan covers things like medications, glasses, dental work, and more.

When can claims be submitted?

Direct billing and online registration for the plan is not available for students in the first 8 weeks of their program, or the fall semester. This is because students are still adding and dropping classes, as well as adding and dropping the plan. Once the Registration Period is over, students can create their account at student.greenshield.ca and submit any current claims, or back-dated ones to their start date. Students will also be able to directly bill their claims from their service provider at this time.

I want to be on the plan, but I wasn’t charged the fee. Is there any way I can sign up?

No, there is no option to sign up manually.

How long does the coverage last?

Your coverage lasts for 12 calendar months, including summer. The length of your program does not affect the length of your coverage. In other words, even if you are only taking one semester of classes, you will still receive 12 months of coverage.

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Opting Out

Students who have extended health and dental coverage through another provider can choose to opt out of the OCSU Health & Dental plan.

All Opt Outs MUST be submitted to OCSU no later than 30 calendar days after your program’s start date.

To opt out, you must fill out the entire form found here. Late and/or incomplete opt-outs are not accepted under any circumstance.

You must provide your current plan’s policy number when filling out the online opt-out form in order to prove that you have valid coverage. If OCSU is unable to verify your coverage, you may be required to submit additional proof.

Opt Out Here

International Students

If you are an International Student studying outside of Canada, and you don’t plan on coming to Canada for any part of your studies, you can you can email health-dental@ocsu.ca and complete a health and dental deferral form. This will remove the health and dental fees for 12 months. The deadline to do this is 30 calendar days after your classes start.

Dependants

Adding Dependants

Students who are enrolled in the Health & Dental plan may add their spouse/common-law partner and/or children under the age of 18 as dependants on their plan.

Students may opt in their dependants via their online benefits portal after the Blackout Period has ended. When the Blackout Period ends, each student on the plan will receive an email from J&D Benefits outlining how to register their online benefits portal and add dependants. Dependants must be opted in no later than 15 days after receiving that email.

Dependant Opt In Prices

1 Dependant	$275.00
2 Dependants or more	$400.00

The fee for adding 2 or more dependants is a flat rate of $400.00, no matter how many dependants you are adding.

Dates & Deadlines 2022-2023

Please note that students may only opt out at the start of their program/year.
If your program starts on:	Your deadline to opt out is:	Coverage start date:	Coverage end date:
September 7 2022	October 7 2023	September 1 2022	August 31 2023
January 9 2023	February 9 2023	January 1 2023	December 31 2023

The Registration/Blackout Period

It takes 6-8 weeks after your program’s start date to activate your plan. This is known as the Registration (or Blackout) Period, and direct billing and online services are not available during this time. You will be notified by email when your plan has been activated, after which you may submit your current claims and any other claims for covered items back-dating to the start of the Blackout Period.

Once the enrolment is complete and the blackout period ends, you can sign up for Plan Member Online Services. Through Plan Member Online Services, you can:

Submit claims electronically
Sign up for direct deposit (to get paid faster!)
Read your full benefits booklet
Search for a provider near you
Connect to the Change4Life^® health portal
Search drugs by DIN to see if coverage eligibility
And much more!

You’ll need your GSC ID number to sign up for Plan Member Online Services and GSC on the Go after the blackout period. Remember, your GSC ID number is the letters “OSU,” your student number, and “-00” (example: OSU300123456-00).

Graduation and Summer Coverage

How long does the coverage last? Am I covered over the summer?

Yes! Your coverage lasts for 12 consecutive calendar months, even through summer.

Can I opt in for my summer courses?

No, the summer semesters do not meet the minimum course length requirement. Students are not charged for extended Health & Dental during the summer. Students who started in the Fall or Winter semesters will most likely have coverage continued through the summer months due to their 12 month plan.

How long does the coverage last after graduation?

The coverage period is 12 months after your program’s start date, regardless of when you graduate.

For example, let’s say you started your final semester in September and you’ll be graduating in December. Your coverage will be valid until August, even though you are no longer in school.

Can I continue on a plan with Green Shield after my coverage expires?

OCSU, the British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS), and Prosum Health Benefits have partnered to offer affordable health and dental plans that you can access after you’re no longer a student.

Starting as low as $27 per month, Individual Health Assist plans allow you the flexibility to choose your level of coverage and more importantly find coverage that fits your budget. There are no long-term contracts which means once you get coverage through an employer or if you choose to continue your studies you can cancel your plan with 30 days notice.

If you are graduating, your coverage from your students’ union benefits plan ends 12 months after the start date of your program; once your coverage ends, you will have 90 days to apply for a GSC Health Assist plan. Click here to learn more about the plans available, or to start your application.

For more information contact Prosum Health Benefits at 1-855-751-6590 or info@ProsumHealthBenefitsInc.ca

Other Benefits

Legal Assistance
OCSU Health Plan Members, through Prosum Health Benefits and Sykes Assistance Services provides you with timely, cost-effective access to experienced lawyers to guide you through most major types of law, including: Family, Criminal, Civil litigation, Landlord and tenant, Residential real estate, Wills and Estates, Tax, Employment, Condo/Strata, Immigration and Identity Theft Support. As a member of the Health Plan you have access to unlimited free summary telephone legal advice and unlimited referrals to local lawyers at preferred rates.

You can call on the toll-free number 1 877-333-3884 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak to a customer service representative who can put you in touch with a lawyer at no charge. Advice lawyers are available to call clients from 8 am to Midnight daily. Please do not hesitate to request a call back after regular business hours, on weekends or holidays.
GSC Health Assist Link
The GSC Health Assist LINK program offers guaranteed coverage (no medical questionnaire) for you and your family for day-to-day medical, dental and travel expenses, as well as unforeseen health expenses. This program may be your solution if you, your spouse or your dependent children are losing or have lost group health and/or dental benefits within the last 90 days and are looking for coverage. Click here to apply, or contact Prosum Health Benefits Inc. at 1.855.751.6590 for assistance.

Still have questions?

Email Us

About your plan

Your Health & Dental plan provider is Green Shield Canada.

Plan Eligibility

All students are strongly encouraged to verify if they have been charged for the plan by reviewing their Okanagan College tuition fee statement.

Eligible:

Not eligible:

Students in programs longer than 12 months (Practical Nursing)

Frequently Asked Questions

Opting Out

Students who have extended health and dental coverage through another provider can choose to opt out of the OCSU Health & Dental plan.

International Students

Dependants

Adding Dependants

Dependant Opt In Prices

Dates & Deadlines 2022-2023

The Registration/Blackout Period

Graduation and Summer Coverage

Other Benefits

Legal Assistance

GSC Health Assist Link

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