The Health Plan Question passed at board 28 July 2008:
Are you in favour of a fee increase of NOT MORE THAN $198 per year for the purpose of offering both an undergraduate extended health plan and an undergraduate dental plan (inclusive of an undergraduate health/dental plan reserve fund and committee, broker fees, premium taxes, the cost of the plan(s), and a 1% service and handling charge requested by the University); commencing 1 January 2009?”
What it will cost: Everything above included, about $185 a year! The $198 offers a ceiling in cases costs go up in the second year.
(This includes a small reserve fund of $5 to the Simon Fraser Student Society to help mitigate administrative costs, 1% tax to the University for collecting the new fee, and the $178 cost to for the plans)
What it will cost for eight months coverage, starting in January 2009 (full year plans starting 1 September 2009) about $125
Who’s covered: all undergraduate students will be automatically enrolled, students with comparable coverage from work, parents or spouse will be able to take advantage of online opt-out with proof of insurance.
What’s covered (Extended Health Plan, $75 per year)?
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,
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
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).
Extended Care, 100% coverage for:
Ambulances
Durable Medical Equipment: including wheelchair rental, crutches, braces,
prosthesis,
Dental Accident
Diagnostic Services
Home Nurse
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.
Travel Medical,
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
What’s covered (dental plan, Lisa needs braces)?
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, ouch, 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.
The total annual premium is guaranteed for January 2009 implementation, plus 1 full policy year (September 09 – August 2010). The total annual premium includes all insurer costs, premium tax, and all studentcare.net/works service fees
Broker (Provider): Studentcare (The fastest growing Student Health Plan Broker in Canada)
http://www.studentcare.net/
This has the potential of being one of the best Simon Fraser Student Society Services since the U-Pass (Translink: Universal Pass)!
It is important to note that the Simon Fraser Student Society Extended Health & Dental Plan is not carved in stone, rather it can be an organic, evolving service where the key coverage priorities change as students begin using the Plan. Plan benefits can and should be improved and adjusted in future years based on further surveys and actual usage data. By starting with a moderate-to-high level of coverage, and appropriate cost, the Simon Fraser Student Society is in the best position to respond to he specific needs of its membership over the medium to long term.
Also, you will be able to “opt-in” your spouse and any dependent children at the same rate.
Written by The Office of the President of the Simon Fraser Student Society for the members of its society.