Jodie Vanderslot | Health Editor; Abdeali Saherwala | Contributor
Featured Image: They’re only benefits if you know how to use them. | Basma Elbahnasawy
Every year, the Health and Dental Plan is put under the microscope. Many students are skeptical about the plan, often because they don’t know the benefits included, or how to utilize their coverage to the fullest potential.
Most full-time undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in the plan and costs are reflected in tuition fees. For full-time students the cost per year is $254.52, whereas part-time students pay $647.40.
The Health and Dental Plan is provided by York Federation of Students (YFS) through Green Shield Canada (GSC) and Western Life Assurance Company, offering a comprehensive student insurance plan. GSC provides for prescription drugs, health, dental and travel benefit plans, while Western Life Assurance Company provides for accidental death and dismemberment benefit plans.
These benefits are intended to provide additional or further coverage to your provincial or personal health insurance plan. Students may opt out of the YFS Health and Dental for a full refund by October 15, but only if you have comparable insurance. The refund/reversal amount will be returned to your online student account by November 16.
“I require several medications and services for my conditions and without this plan, I wouldn’t be able to afford some of it,” says Emil Anil, a fourth-year Biomedical Science student.
Prescription drugs are only partly covered under the plan and a percentage of payment will still be necessary. The overall prescription drug policy is “$1,000 per covered person, per benefit year for all eligible prescription drugs combined.” This policy changes for smoking cessation drugs to “$50 per covered person per benefit year, subject to the Overall Prescription Drug Maximum.”
Claims are made either directly to the provider or by submitting the original receipt in person or by mail with a claim form for reimbursement to the YFS office in Room 106 in the Student Centre.
Discounts under the plan include dental, hearing aid, and vision care with benefits such as: glasses, contact lenses, free vision tests, and teeth whitening. Professional visits are covered $25 per visit with a total of $300 in coverage for the year. This includes services such as massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and physiotherapy.
