OPTING OUT

OPT-OUT CHEQUES UPDATE:

The first batch of opt-out cheques were mailed out the week of Dec. 17th. If you still haven't received your cheque from the National Student Health Network, please email: health.gsu@utoronto.ca.

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2007/2008 HEALTH AND DENTAL PLANS

If you are a student with equivalent insurance elsewhere, you may opt-out of these plans in September, January, or May. You must opt-out annually, at the beginning of the term you are first registered in (normally Sept.), or the term you get new equivalent coverage. You cannot rejoin the plan after you have opted out, so check the expiry date on your insurance.

You will be refunded the amounts below within 3 months of registration. Teaching Assistants, please see the section on TAs.

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OPT-OUT PERIODS :

* Students starting in September 2007: This deadline has now passed.

* Students starting in January 2008: This deadline has now passed.


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HOW TO OPT-OUT:

During the advertised opt-out periods, a link will be made available on this page as to allow eligible students to opt-out electronically.

* IMPORTANT NOTE *
- Documentation of existing coverage may be requested at a later date, and must clearly show your name, the name of the Insurance Company providing the coverage and the policy number. Acceptable documentation is a certoificate, an insurance policy, the membership card or a copy of a paid claim.

- Be sure to check the expiry date of your equivalent insurance - once you have left the plan(s), you cannot rejoin until September of the next academic year. For exceptions contact Shain at 978-8465 or health.gsu@utoronto.ca

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CO-ORDINATING MORE THAN ONE EXTENDED HEALTH CARE PLAN

If you are already covered by a supplementary health and/or dental plan, you may not wish to opt-out of your student plan(s). You can co-ordinate the benefits in your plans to receive up to 100% coverage. Your benefits cheque from your first insurance company comes with a letter stating what has not been paid (you claimed XXX, they paid YYY).  Use this letter as your “receipt” to submit a claim to your other insurance company. For example, TAs should submit dental expenses to the GSU Dental Plan first, because it only pays 70% of specific procedures. Claim the unpaid portion from your CUPE 3902 Dental Plan.

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TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Most TAs, and their family members, are eligible for health and dental benefits through their union, CUPE 3902. Call them at 416-593-7057 or see www.cupe3902.org

CUPE 3902 Dental Plan
You can combine your $500. CUPE Dental Plan benefits with the $500. GSU Dental Plan benefits,  for a total of $1000 in benefits, or opt-out of the GSU Dental Plan.

Claiming from both Plans
To claim from both Dental Plans, first submit your claim to the GSU Dental Plan.  When paid, use the letter you receive with your benefits cheque, that states you claimed XXXX and Green Shield paid YYYY, as your “receipt” for submitting a claim to the CUPE Dental Plan.  The CUPE plan will pay what Green Shield didn’t pay.

Opting out of the GSU Dental Plan
You can opt-out in September, January, or May, depending on which term you get a TAship.  You will receive a refund for the months not insured, regardless of whether you have made dental claims. However, we will face large premium increases next year if TAs claim for GSU benefits, and later opt-out.

To opt-out electronically a "dummy" insurance plan has been created for TA's only. Please put this information in "Declaration of Alternative Coverage" on the GSU opt-out application:

Name of Insurance Company: Green Shield
Name of Policy Holder: CUPE 3902
Policy Number: 30131

CUPE 3902 Health Care Spending Account  (HCSA)
This $150 benefit is not equivalent to the GSU Health Plan, so you can’t use it to opt-out of the GSU Health Plan.  You can get a receipt from the GSU for the premium you paid (including family), and claim it as a HCSA medical expense. The Green Shield card you received in the mail is for the HCSA, not the GSU Health Plan.

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Questions?
Contact GSU Health Insurance Office at 978-8465, health.gsu@utoronto.ca or dental.gsu@utoronto.ca