healthand dental

Students in academic programs beginning in September or January who take six or more credits are automatically enrolled, unless they previously opted out. Trades students are included when their program is 150 days or longer. Check your student record under Personal Information → Health and Dental for your plan dates and fee.

BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) primarily covers medically necessary care, such as physician visits and hospital services. GuardMe provides coverage for international students comparable to MSP. The VIUSU plan provides extended benefits that MSP or GuardMe generally do not cover, including eligible prescriptions, dental care, vision, counselling and health practitioners. Extended benefits do not replace provincial health coverage.

Students voted to introduce the plan through a referendum in 2007. Automatic enrolment lets the Students’ Union negotiate a group rate.

Student Extended Health and Dental plans are offered at almost all universities and colleges in BC and Canada, and organized similarly through Students’ Unions or Societies.

Eligible students are assessed the fee; students with comparable extended health and dental coverage may apply to opt out by the deadline.

You can opt out only if you have comparable extended health and dental coverage. Not expecting to use the plan, having MSP or having GuardMe alone does not qualify. The plan can help with both routine and unexpected expenses.

If you’re eligible and assessed the plan fee, coverage lasts a full 12 months, even if your program ends sooner. Your exact start and end dates appear in your student record under Personal Information → Health and Dental.

Eligible dependants can be added for an additional fee through AGA. Add them within 30 days of receiving your Welcome Email and renew their coverage each year.

Your benefit coverage is for a full calendar year from your policy start date. For many students, this means your plan coverage may extend beyond your graduation date. Check your policy start and end date on your student record to confirm these dates.

Once you leave VIU, you will no longer be eligible for coverage through the VIUSU Extended Health and Dental plan. Near the end of your policy end date (plan ending), you will receive an email from StudentHealth BC outlining your plan's termination. There are non-student benefit options offered to you through GreenShield Canada. You have 90 days from the date your student coverage ends to apply for a GSC+ Health Assist Plan. Contact the Prosum Health Benefits Team after you graduate.

Once you’ve registered on the GreenShield website, you can then download the app (GSC+), log in to your account, and find your benefit card in the top right corner of the home page.

Your policy start and end dates are listed in your VIU student record under Personal Information → Health and Dental.

There is an approximately 45-day registration period after your policy start date while VIUSU confirms eligibility, fees and opt outs with the benefits administrator. Your online account or direct billing may not yet be available, but eligible coverage begins on your policy start date. Keep itemized receipts and proof of payment for claims you can submit after activation.

Student Health BC sends it after your enrolment is active with GreenShield, generally about 45 days after your policy start date. Check your student email and spam folder, then follow its instructions to register with AGA and GreenShield.

You may need to pay upfront during the registration period. Keep itemized receipts and proof of payment so you can submit eligible claims after your account is active.

Once your payment has been received, there will be a waiting period of 1–2 weeks before you can register. If fees are late, your ability to add dependants may be declined.

The provider’s system may show the previous policy year as ended before the new year’s enrolment is confirmed. This does not necessarily mean you have lost coverage. If your account still appears cancelled after the registration period ends, email healthanddental@viusu.ca to review your status on the plan.

Yes. You can keep both plans and coordinate eligible claims. Combined reimbursement cannot exceed what you paid. You will usually submit to your own VIUSU plan first, then submit the unpaid balance to the other plan. Ask the providers if you are unsure about the order.

Your account and claims are private. VIUSU may need your permission before discussing them with a parent or family member. You can contact the plan administrator directly for help.

To opt out of the plan, you must provide the name of your insurance provider and your group policy number (not personal ID number) of comparable extended health and dental coverage when you apply. MSP and GuardMe are not considered extended health and dental coverage.

Once you've submitted your request to opt out, your application will be reviewed by the plan administrator within 1–7 days. If your opt-out request isn't approved, you will receive an email with next steps.

If you have unpaid fees on your account, your student record may be blocked. You will not be able to obtain transcripts from VIU, move up on the waitlist for courses you have added (if applicable), register for any additional courses at VIU, and after 90 days this fee will be sent to a collection agency and VIU will send you notice.

VIUSU provides funding through a Health and Dental bursary. Bursaries are distributed through VIU’s Financial Aid and Awards office, located in building 255, or email financialaidinfo@viu.ca.

No. GuardMe alone is not comparable extended health and dental coverage. To opt out, you need comparable coverage through another provider, such as a parent’s, partner’s or employer’s benefits plan.

No. Health and dental are one combined plan. If you have comparable extended coverage, you may apply to opt out of the entire plan during the designated period.

Your opt out deadline is the same date as the payment fee due date. For example, if your fees are due on September 23, that is your opt out deadline.

The group plan has fixed enrolment periods so eligibility and premiums can be confirmed with providers. Missing the deadline or choosing not to use benefits does not normally qualify for a late opt out. Exceptions may be considered if a student withdraws from their program.

Yes, if you apply by the deadline and your opt out is approved. The fee may first appear as a credit on your VIU account. Once any other fees are settled, contact StudentFinance@viu.ca about a remaining credit. Allow time for processing.

If you have a Status Card, you may qualify for a permanent opt out. On the online opt-out site, select First Nations Health Authority as the insurance provider and enter your status number as the policy number. Your sponsor may require you to opt out; if you stay enrolled or do not complete the opt out, you are responsible for the fee even if your other student fees are sponsored. A permanent opt out can generally be reversed only if you lose your other coverage.

Disability status or assistance does not automatically opt you out. If you have comparable extended health and dental benefits through a Ministry program, you can request an opt out with proof of coverage. Email healthanddental@viusu.ca for guidance.

If your other coverage ends through no fault of your own, such as aging out of a parent’s plan or losing a job, email healthanddental@viusu.ca within 30 days. You will need documents showing when and why it ended to apply to rejoin.

No. CDCP eligibility requires that you do not have access to private dental insurance. Access to the VIUSU Health & Dental Plan counts even if you opt out or never use it. Opting out does not make you eligible for the CDCP. Check the federal eligibility rules ↗

The federal government may verify your eligibility and require repayment of CDCP benefits paid while you were ineligible. Tell your dental provider about your VIUSU coverage and submit eligible claims to that plan. If you already have CDCP coverage and are unsure whether you qualify, contact Service Canada before using it.