To take part in discussions on talkSFU, please apply for membership (SFU email id required).
Undergrad Health Plan
I got this last Wednesday, it didn't occur to me to post here until just now, some of you might have already received an email with the same thing.
Massive copy + paste:
=====
The Health Plan Question (subject to typographical and editorial
edits, and additional whereas clauses) passed at board 28 July 2008:
(Three additional questions on the SFSS Facebook group were passed at
Forum 30 July 2008, an additional Ombudsman By-Law change will likely
also be on the ballot)
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 SFSS 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 (Sept 09 – Aug 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 SFSS Services since the U-Pass!
***It is important to note that the SFSS 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 SFSS
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.
=====
Massive copy + paste:
=====
The Health Plan Question (subject to typographical and editorial
edits, and additional whereas clauses) passed at board 28 July 2008:
(Three additional questions on the SFSS Facebook group were passed at
Forum 30 July 2008, an additional Ombudsman By-Law change will likely
also be on the ballot)
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 SFSS 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 (Sept 09 – Aug 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 SFSS Services since the U-Pass!
***It is important to note that the SFSS 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 SFSS
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.
=====
Comments
but as i recall, SFU had a health plan for undergrads and then the student population voted it out..... i think?
in any case, this whole thing was started because the majority of people supported exploring health plan options during the last referendum. And it's a fairly comprehensive (and affordable) deal, so I think there'll be support for it.
i personally think its an okay deal, when i was at langara who uses im guessing the same student coverage i exceeded what i paid in dues. so i ended up making full use of it
also, i dont know why they make allusion to the lisa needs braces episode of the simpsons, when this plan does not cover braces
better than nothing, but not the greatest plan
it really isnt that great of a plan though and i think you can get better by subscribing to something like blue cross
i mean cmon, 60$ for eye exams per 2 years? youre supposed to go like every 6months to a year
and yes, the commmercials by the bc government, or sponsored by some optomotrist society tell us to get eye check ups often
studentcare.net or something like that, its really not that great of a plan in comparison to an external plan you could buy
that said, you can still get more out of the plan than you put in, one year i paid 200 and took out over 500$ in use, but do the research for yourself and find out
its just weird they started the plan on spring instead of fall
i thought it's supposed to run September - May, but maybe they want to take a semester by semester basis
Phil