Health and Dental FAQ

1. What information do I need to fill out the claim forms beside the receipts?

2. What type of coverage is provided?

3. How much does it cost?

4. Who provides the coverage?

5. Who can be covered by the health and dental plans?

6. When is the deadline to opt out of the health and/or dental plans?

7. Can I opt back into the health plan?

8. How do I opt out of the health and/or dental plans?

9. I have opted out of the plan, why am I still being charged health and dental fees?

10. When does my coverage begin?

11. Can I buy coverage for my partner and/or children?

12. How do I find more information?

 

1. What information do I need to fill out the claim forms beside the receipts?

Policy number : 25650
Patient or ID number : GSU [your 9 digit student number]-00
Travel benefit plan number : 28556323 (This identifies the 60 day travel plan if you need to call in an emergency)

https://onlineservices.greenshield.ca/studentcentre/FAQ.aspx?faq=SubmittingAClaim

2. What type of coverage is provided?

The GSU student health plan provides coverage beyond that provided by basic provincial health coverage (e.g., the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Coverage Plan [MCP], the Ontario Health Insurance Plan [OHIP], and others).

The plan covers the cost of prescription drugs which are prescribed by a licensed doctor or dentist and dispensed by a registered pharmacist. If you have questions about whether or not a specific medication is covered, you can contact Green Shield at 1-888-711-1119.

Basic dental services, such as cleanings, oral exams, x-rays, fillings, etc are covered at 100%. More comprehensive services, such as root canals, are covered at 10%.

Vision coverage provides up to $150 per 24 month period for prescription glasses or contact lenses. Eye exams are not covered.

The information above is a general overview of some of the popular features of the health and dental plans. For specific benefits information, please read the Outline of Benefits in the Forms section

3. How much does it cost?

The annual cost of single student health coverage is $553.95 and dental coverage is $196.63. Fees are charged to student accounts as part of MUN registration fees each semester.

It is possible for students to extend their coverage to their partner (including same sex partners) and/or dependent children. These fees are to be paid at the GSU Office once a year, generally in September. For family health and dental plan rates, please refer to the chart below.

4. Who provides the coverage?

Your insurance company is Green Shield, Canada's only national not-for-profit healthcare insurance provider. By utilising Green Shield, students are provided low-cost, high quality coverage. Green Shield operates a toll-free number and website that students have access to 24 hours a day.

The health and dental plans were originally developed by the National Student Health Network of the Canadian Federation of Students. The Network assists students' unions, including unions that are not members of the Federation, to negotiate health and dental plans with service providers. By Canadian Law, in order to provide insurance you have to negotiate through a broker. Morneau Sobeco is the broker for the National Student Health Network and the GSU in our relationship with the insurance provider.

5. Who can be covered by the health and dental plans?

The health plan is available to full-time graduate students who are either Canadian citizens or have permanent residency. Starting the Fall 2008, international graduate students who are also covered by MCP have the option of joining the health plan. The dental plan is available to all full-time graduate students including international graduate students. Part-time graduate students are not eligible for the health and dental plans.

For further information on the emergency health insurance for international students, please contact the International Student Advising Office at (709) 864-8895 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Additionally, please visit the ISA health insurance website. For information on the basic provincial health coverage, please visit the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) website.

6. When is the deadline to opt out of the health and/or dental plans?

The deadline to opt-out (with proof of alternate coverage), or opt-in, starting in the Spring 2013 is May 27th, 2013.

7. Can I opt back into the health plan?

Yes. Should students want to opt back into the Green Shield plan (e.g., because of lapse of existing coverage or a change in student status from part-time back to full-time) they may do so before the opt-out/opt-in deadline of the semester in question by submitting an individual Opt In form. For the possibility of opting in at any other time of year you will need to contact the GSU.

8. How do I opt out of the health and/or dental plans?

Graduate students will be able to opt out of the plan with proof of coverage from alternate insurance providers (e.g., a private health/dental card clearly indicating the health and/or dental benefits offered, or a letter from the insurer confirming coverage, quoting policy number and company name). Since Fall 2005 students need to opt-out only once during their program of study providing their student status does not change. If you go from part-time to full-time, take a leave of absence, etc, you will need to inform GSU (health [at] gsumun.ca) and request to be opted-out again.

The opt-out forms are available online for download here. Forms need to be received by the GSU Office by the opt-out deadline in a given semester. Forms can be faxed, emailed, mailed, or brought in-person to the office. The GSU does not have an online opt-out system at this time. If you have opted-out of the plan via an online system, you have likely opted out at MUNSU (for undergraduate students) in error. If you are a graduate student, this will not opt you out of the GSU health and dental plans.

9. I have opted out of the plan, why am I still being charged health and dental fees?

Every registered full-time student is automatically charged the health and dental fees each semester. The fees are reversed by the Cashier's Office approximately 6 weeks into the term. If the fees are still on your account beyond this time frame, please notify the plan administrator via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can pay the rest of your fees MINUS the health and dental fees, as these charges will be reversed, without incurring a late payment fee. If a late payment fee is charged to your account, it should also be reversed when the health and dental fees are reversed so long as all other fees were paid on time.

10. When does my coverage begin?

The current benefit year is September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. Students in a Fall semester are covered from September 1 - December 31; Winter semester from January 1 - April 30, and the Spring/Summer semester from May 1 - August 31. There is no interruption in coverage between semesters for students continuously on the plan.

Are you new to the health and dental plans or have you recently rejoined? While you will be covered from the beginning of a semester as listed above, you should expect a bit of a delay in becoming listed with Green Shield as we process all the opt-ins at the same time.

11. Can I buy coverage for my partner and/or children?

Yes. Eligible students are able to extend their coverage to their partners, including same sex partners, and dependent children. Family coverage is available according to the following fees:

Please note that the family coverage fees are in addition to your regular single student coverage fee.

12. How do I find more information?

Please visit us in the GSU Office, GH-2007, in Feild Hall (above Bitters). You can also reach us at (709) 864-4395 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For specific coverage inquiries, contact the Health and Dental Administrator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .