The GSA offers all graduate students a comprehensive Health, Vision and Dental plan powered through Student VIP and Medavie Blue Cross. We encourage all graduate students to learn more about our plan, its coverage (including for dependents), your eligibility and the opt-in/opt-out processes.
For additional plan information, opt-out, opt-in, claim forms and more, visit the Student VIP website.
Quick Links
GSA Health and Dental Plan Policy Number: #0091964000
Download the Medavie Blue Cross Mobile App HERE to access your card, submit claims, view coverage and more.
Download your Plan Card HERE or contact our office at health@brockgsa.ca.
Download your 2023-2024 Health & Dental Benefits Manual CLICK HERE
Download your 2023-2024 Health & Dental Plan Booklet CLICK HERE
Need details about your plan? CLICK HERE to learn about your plan and to Live Chat with a pro.
Want to learn more about the GSA Health & Dental plan and how it works with the UHIP Plan – see our latest presentation below. Remember to attend our next Session – Visit ExperianceBU!
Eligibility
Effective April 2022, commencing on September 1, 2022, ALL graduate students (both Full and Part-time) are automatically assessed annually the Health and Dental plan fee in their term of registration for the plan year currently in effect. Students in their term of registration will be afforded the opportunity to opt-out by providing proof of valid, comparable Canadian health and dental insurance coverage.
Students with alternate, comparable and continuous Canadian health and dental benefit coverage through their parent/spouse or employer benefit program, can APPLY to opt-out of the GSA Health & Dental Plan, or remain in the GSA Health & Dental plan and combine coverage of both their insurance plans.
NOTE: OHIP/UHIP are not considered as alternate coverage.
**Students who register for a graduate program/course after the opt-in/out date period closes, (i.e. after Oct 1) will be automatically assessed the GSA H&D Fee and will have 2 weeks from the date of fee assessment to present confirmation of alternate, comparable, Canadian H&D plan to have fee removed.
FIRM Opt-in or Opt-out periods for enrolled students is based on the term they first enter in the benefit year:
Fall term period is September 1-30.
Winter term period is January 1-30.
Spring term period is May 1-30.
Deadlines are firm and cannot be altered or waived. * Opt-outs are not guaranteed*
You must check your Brock Student Finance Account to determine if you have been assessed the fee for the plan.
Students on Leave of Absence for the entire plan year are not eligible for the plan. All students must be under the age of 80 to be eligible for coverage.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who complete their program/studies prior to the end of the benefit plan year will continue to have full use of the Health & Dental plan regardless of their student status or where they reside in Canada.
Benefit Year: September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024
For information on our opt-in and opt-out process for each semester, visit our FAQ page. Opt-in and opt-out dates are exclusive to the timeframe stated below.
Health & Dental Fee Reversal: The GSA will only approve Health & Dental Benefits Plan Fee reversals for approved backdated withdrawal completely from the University and from the term they were assessed the free and only within the current benefit plan year of September 1 to August 31, for graduate students who have not utilized the benefit plan they are registered under.
2023-2024 Health & Dental Plan Fees
| Single | Dependant +1 | Dependant ++ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1 – August 31 (12 months) | $555.00 | $555.00 | $1110.00 |
| January 1 – August 31 (8 months) | $555.00 | $555.00 | $1110.00 |
| May 1 – August 31 (4 months) | $380.00 | $380.00 | $760.00 |
*Family rates are in addition to the graduate student single rate for the primary insured.
Opt-Out
Opt-outs are exclusive to the timeframe listed below. Deadlines for opt-outs are firm and cannot be altered or waived.
Opt-out opens on the first day at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) and closes on the last day at 4:00 p.m. (EDT) There are no exceptions.
• Fall term enrolled student: September 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023
• Winter term enrolled student: January 1, 2024 to January 30, 2024
• Spring term enrolled student: May 1, 2024 to May 30, 2024
Students providing valid proof of comparable and continuous Canadian alternate health & dental coverage (self, spouse, parents) may submit a request to opt-out of the plan in their term of enrollment. Opt-out approval is not automatically guaranteed.
The opt-out periods are based on students term of enrollment. Students enrolled in the Fall term, have an opt-out period of September 1 to 30. Winter term enrollment is January 1-30; Spring term enrollment is May 1-30.
Upon conclusion of the opt-out period, the Student Finance office will be notified. The GSA will not directly reimburse graduate students; your Brock student account will be credited ONLY, students will not receive a cash refund, please direct further refund inquiries or for more information on my Brock Student Account please email: finance@brocku.ca
To opt-out during (FALL TERM ONLY) go online to the Student VIP site, selecting Brock Graduate Students’ Association from the drop-down menu. Select the Opt-Out Icon on the GSA home page and provide all the required information. Upon submission of your request, you will receive an notification email that your information has been received. Only If/When your opt-out is APPROVED you will receive confirmation of your opt-out. Please keep this email for your records. Reminder: OHIP/UHIP are NOT eligible benefits for submission. *Note: students may choose to coordinate their private plan with the GSA plan for optimal coverage.
To opt-out during (WINTER & SPRING TERMS) newly enrolled graduate students ONLY are asked to email health@brockgsa.ca to provide valid proof of their alternate, comparable and continuous Canadian Health & Dental Benefits coverage with the following:
• Image of Benefits Card showing Student’s name
• Insurance Provider’s Name, Policy & Plan number
• Employer’s name, if the Health & Dental Benefits Plan is provided by an employer
• Detailed listing of benefits provided to ensure Canadian plan is comparable and continuous through to August 31st, 2024.
If any of the above information submitted is incomplete, false, fraudulent, expired, invalid or submitted after the Opt-Out period closes, your request will be declined. Once/IF the information has been verified and approved, you will receive a confirmation email. Please keep this email for your records. Your approval is not automatic. Reminder: OHIP/UHIP are NOT eligible benefits for submission. *Note: students may choose to coordinate their private plan with the GSA plan for optimal coverage. The opt-out is effective for the entire benefit plan year; you will be ineligible to opt-in until the next benefit year.
Opt-In
Opt-ins are exclusive to the timeframe listed below. Deadlines for opt-ins are firm and cannot be altered or waived.
Opt-in opens on the first day at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) and closes on the last day at 4:00 p.m. (EDT) There are no exceptions.
• Fall term enrolled student: September 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023
• Winter term enrolled student: January 1, 2024 to January 30, 2024
• Spring term enrolled student: May 1, 2024 to May 30, 2024
All Terms Online submissions only — For graduate students who wish to purchase health and dental coverage for their eligible dependent(s) (i.e. Spouse/Partner, Child(ren), under their GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan. Family rates are in addition to the graduate student single rate for the primary insured, and will be charged directly at time of opt-in.
To include your eligible dependant(s) in the plan, the opportunity is only open during your term of enrollment as noted above. This is an online-only process and a valid credit card is required at the time of registration. Please visit the Student VIP site, selecting Brock Graduate Students’ Association from the drop-down menu. Select the Opt-In Icon. Dependant(s) name, date of birth, and relationship to the graduate student is required during the registration process. You will be required to enter payment information before requests can be submitted for consideration. Once/If your request is approved you will receive a confirmation email. Please keep this email for your records.
Always check your Brock Student Finance Account to determine if you have been assessed the GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan fee.
Utilizing Your Health & Dental Plan
Plan Card
In order to submit claims at the pharmacy and the dentist, you will need a GSA Plan Card. You can print your personalized GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan Card online – download one here.
Drug Plan Options
To obtain reduced costs for your prescription drugs on the GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan, you have two options available to you: one is a physical pharmacy located across the street from the main campus (Campus Pharmacy) and the other is a virtual (mail-direct) pharmacy for students (Direct 2U Virtual Pharmacy).
Student Health Services Clinic
There is a full service health clinic on campus, available to all students, even if you opt-out of the GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan. It is located in Harrison Hall and offers a walk-in clinic, as well as by appointment – see their website for more details.
Health and Dental Plan FAQ
What is the Brock GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan?
The Brock GSA Health & Dental Plan is a comprehensive health and wellness benefits plan offered through Student VIP Medavie Blue CrossTM all for Brock University Graduate Students.
Why am I automatically enrolled the Brock GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan?
The GSA is mandated to ensure that ALL graduate students have comparable and continuous Canadian Health & Dental Benefits in place from September 1 – August 31 each year, whether through the Student VIP Medavie Blue Cross™ plan or an alternate insurance provider.
Who is automatically assessed the Health & Dental Benefits Plan Fees?
All graduate students will be assessed the GSA Health & Dental Benefit Plan fee and will see this charge on their student finance (mybrock) account. The decision for all graduate students, part-time and full-time, to be initially assessed the fee was unanimously passed at the GSA’s Annual General Meeting in April 2022.
I have been assessed benefits on my tuition invoice. Do I still need to go through the opt-in process?
No, as you have been assessed for single enrollment into the Health and Dental Benefit fee on your tuition invoice, you do not need to opt-in. You will be auto enrolled-into the GSA Health & Dental benefits plan.
If you have questions regarding GSA-related fees, you can email finance@brocku.ca or the GSA at health@brockgsa.ca.
Who is eligible to opt-in to the GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan?
Any Brock graduate student who was not assessed the health and dental fee on their tuition invoice may request to opt-in (i.e. Post Doctoral students, Exchange Grad Student etc.). Eligible Brock graduate students who are enrolled in the GSA Health & Dental Plan may opt-in any eligible dependant (i.e. spouse, common-law partner, children) in the term they were assessed the health and dental fee.
Is UHIP an eligible alternate substitute for the Brock GSA Health & Dental Benefits Plan?
No, UHIP is not an eligible alternate substitute. UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is administered through Brock International and is the equivalent to OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) for domestic students. UHIP covers services such as hospital visits, x-rays, medical doctor visits, etc. UHIP works in partnership with the GSA Health & Dental Benefits plan to provide optimal insurance benefit while a student is at Brock University. For information on the UHIP benefit plan, email UHIP@brocku.ca directly.
Who do I contact if I have a question about the GSA Health and Dental Benefits Plan?
There are several ways to access assistance. You can:
– email our Health Plan Administrator at health@brockgsa.ca
– call us at (905) 688-5550 ext. 4094
– chat live with a Student VIP Rep: Click here for member support
– call Student VIP, toll-free, at 1 (833) 867-3468