Please note we will be transitioning from GSC Everywhere to GreenShield+ on June 18. Important things to note:
Students will now login using the GreenShield+ App, or online (https://www.greenshield.ca/en-ca) by selecting GreenShield+ member sign in from the drop-down menu.
If you try to login using GSC Everywhere you will be redirected to the GreenShield+ portal, or directed to download the GreenShield+ app if you are accessing the old app.
If you have an existing login, it will work and you do not need to re-register.
If you have not created a login please follow the registration steps here.
For any issues logging in, students should call the GreenShield Customer Service line for support 1.888.711.1119
health with benefits
The VIU Students' Union's plan provides access to thousands of dollars in coverage for prescription medication, dental treatments, paramedical services and multiple other benefits for $285 per year, making it some of the least expensive extended medical coverage in the country.
being on the plan…
Student extended health and dental plans are common to virtually every college and university in Canada, and just like at VIU, are provided by the Students' Union.
Contact Plan Administrator (VIUSU)
1 (250) 754-8866
healthanddental@viusu.ca
CHECK YOUR ENROLMENT
To confirm you're enrolled or opted out, log into your VIU student record on the left hand side, go to Personal Information > Health and Dental Insurance.
WHO IS COVERED?
If you're enrolled in an academic program that begins in September or January and are taking 6 or more credits, you'll automatically be enrolled in the plan (unless you've previously opted out). Trades students are also included if their program lasts 150 days or more.
WHAT DOES THE PLAN COST?
The Students’ Union health and dental plan contains a huge range of benefits that helps students with medical and other issues. The plan costs $285 for a full year of coverage and provides access to thousands of dollars in benefits.
WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION PERIOD?
Are you a returning student or new to the health and dental plan? You’ll be in a temporary “registration period” (aka inactive) that begins on the first day of coverage and is generally around 45 days in duration. Don’t worry. You still are covered during this time, however, you will be unable to bill for services directly. Save any receipts for health or dental costs that are incurred during this period and you will be able to register for online services at GSC+ and submit your claims electronically after the registration period has ended.
HEALTH PLAN CARD AND NUMBER
After the end of the temporary registration period you will be able to register for online services at GreenShield+ and download the GSC+ app. Your card will be displayed with your name and policy number.
Your GSC+ login policy number is MSU followed by your nine-digit student number-00.
Example: MSU123456789-00
Your card is displayed on the GSC+ app or can be downloaded from the GreenShield+ website. Dependents are listed on the second page. (dependants may take a week or two to show up on your account).
NEED TO ADD DEPENDENT(S)?
**Note: Dependents must be added within 30 days from receiving the ‘Welcome Email’ from Student Health BC (check your junk mail).
Adding dependents is done through our third-party data administrator Student Health BC (AGA Benefits Solutions). After the registration period is over you will receive the ‘Welcome Email’ from Student Health BC with a link to register on your personal online portal. This portal allows you to assign a beneficiary for your Life and Accident Insurance. Registration with GreenShield+ (GSC+) without having registered with Student Health BC is still possible.
The following is required to register on your online member portal at Student Health BC:
The ‘Certificate Number’ is 123456789 (your 9-digit student number).
The ‘Client Number’ is VIU- (no numbers, just VIU-)
Adding a dependent(s) to your coverage can be done for an additional fee. The fee to add one dependent is $285. The fee to add more than one dependent(s) is $480. Dependents need to be added each year. Dependents will not have the Student Group & Accident Insurance plan or the Tutorial Benefit.
WHAT DOES THE PLAN COVER?
The following is a summary of the components of the coverage provided by the Students’ Union:
80% coverage for prescription medications up to $2,000 per year;
Coverage of $50 per visit for treatments by paramedical providers (physiotherapist, chiropractor, etc) with total coverage of up to $300 per year per type of treatment;
Up to $725 per year in coverage for counselling by a social worker or psychologist (provided at $75 per visit);
Vision coverage at $225 every two years ($100 every two years for eye exams plus $125 every two years for prescription glasses, contacts, etc);
Dental coverage of up to $700 per year for preventative and restorative work at 80% coverage;
Travel insurance for trips of up to 90 days;
A comprehensive Student Group & Accident Insurance plan;
A legal advisory service that provides telephone legal assistance and access to legal representation at a discount;
Please note that the benefit booklets of the respective providers are the official list of what’s covered, inclusive of their definitions and outlines.
making changes, opting out...
Students are responsible for checking their student record. All instructions for opting out etc. will be emailed to students when the health and dental fee is added to their student record.
OTHER COVERAGE AND OPTING OUT
If you already have equivalent extended health and dental coverage—typically through an employer or a family member—you may opt out of the Students' Union plan. Note that basic provincial healthcare, travel insurance, or emergency-only coverage do not count as equivalent.
Before opting out, make sure to review what's included in the Students' Union plan, as re-enrollment is only permitted if you lose your existing coverage.
OPT-OUT DEADLINE
Those wishing to opt out of the service must do so prior to the deadline. The deadline to opt out is the same day as your health and dental plan fees are due. If you are in a semester-based program, your deadline to opt out is two weeks after the start date for the respective term. If you are a trades student, the deadline is 30 days after the start date for the program. Check your student record if you are unsure of the health and dental payment due date/opt out deadline.
Late requests to opt-out may be declined. After submitting your opt-out request, you will receive a confirmation email that your opt-out request has been received, as well as an application number (save this number) - this is not confirmation that the opt-out has been approved. It is your responsibility to check your student record prior to the deadline to ensure your opt-out was successful. If you've completed the online opt-out and the fee is still on your student record contact healthanddental@viusu.ca. **Note: this may take 1-2 weeks to process.
FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS
Students with a Status Card can permanently opt-out of the extended health and dental plan by visiting the online opt-out site. Most sponsored students are required, by their sponsor, to opt-out of the health and dental fees. Students who wish to be included on the plan and do not opt-out will be responsible for paying these fees.
Keep in mind students can only be re-added to the plan if they lose their coverage.
WHAT IF I LOST MY COVERAGE?
CAN I OPT BACK IN?
Yes, you can apply to be re-added to the plan if the coverage you supplied when opting out has been discontinued through no fault of your own (as in you lost a job, you aged out of parental coverage, etc).
To opt back into the plan, you need to contact the Students’ Union within 30 days of losing your existing coverage to apply for readmission to the Students’ Union’s plan.