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Health & Dental Benefits Plan – ALP Students
Adult Learning Program (ALP) Students
Is this plan the same as my Nova Scotia health insurance plan?
No. Your existing health insurance plan (MSI) covers expenses connected with visiting the doctor or hospital. The NSCC student health and dental plan covers many important medical, drug and dental services that are not covered by MSI. A listing of the health and dental benefits included in the plans is found below.
Is the plan compulsory?
Yes. All students in ALP taking 3 or more units are included on the plan unless they have alternate coverage under another plan (i.e. spouse's plan, family plan or through a sponsor such as the Department of Community Services). Students with other coverage must submit an opt-out form and the health and dental plan will be waived from their student account.
How much does the plan cost and how do I pay the fee?
For all returning students, the plan costs $230 for 12 months of health and dental coverage. The fees for the health and dental benefits plan will be charged to your student account automatically by NSCC. New students who successfully complete the three (3) month Transition Period at the start of their program are eligible for a one time subsidy of $230 provided directly to NSCC by the NS Dept of Labour and Workforce Development to cover the cost of the Health & Dental plan for 12 months.
What if I want to add my family to the plan? How much does it cost?
You may purchase family coverage for your spouse/partner and/or dependants (family coverage does not include dependent parents). This family coverage is completely optional. The family rate varies depending on the type of coverage you need. For example, one student may add a spouse on the dental plan, while another student may add a spouse and three children on to both the health and dental plans. It is best to contact the Student Benefits Plan office to talk about your options and the costs involved. The address and phone numbers for the Student Benefits Plan office are found below.
How do I add my family to the plan?
To add your family to the Health and Dental Benefits Plan, you must complete a Family Add-on application. Application forms are available at the Student Benefits Plan office, at the Campus Information stations or by downloading them from our health and dental plan website at www.mystudentplan.ca. NEW STUDENTS: family add-on applications must be received within 2 weeks of the successful completion of your three (3) month Transition period. RETURNING STUDENTS: family add-on applications must be received within 30 days of the start date of your program. Remember: your family can only be covered while you are on the plan.
When would coverage begin and end?
Coverage begins on the first day of the month your classes start and runs for 12 months. For example, if your program begins on September 6th, your coverage will run from September 1 to August 31 of the following year. If your program begins on November 7th, your coverage will run from November 1 to October 31 of the following year.
What if I have other health/dental coverage?
If you have comparable coverage with either your parents, spouse, through a sponsor (i.e Department of Community Services) or on your own (in addition to provincial healthcare), you must waive yourself from the health and dental benefits plan. To do so, you may:
- submit the form online at www.mystudentplan.ca - choose 1 Time Opt Out feature on the NSCC page
- call or come into the Student Benefits Plan office to receive a waiver form and show proof of comparable coverage before the deadline.
On your opt-out waiver, you must provide confirmation that you have alternate coverage. Proof of comparable coverage may be in the form of a letter from the plan sponsor/administrator, a benefits card (photocopy) with your name on it, or other reasonable proof. Please note: the Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare Program does not qualify as comparable coverage. Students enrolled in Pharmacare are covered for prescriptions only and the deductibles are different for each individual. The NSCC health plan coverage has a co-pay structure and covers the full range of medical treatments covered by basic secondary plans. Opt outs based on Family Pharmacare will not be processed and the student will be notified. However, students who are already enrolled in the Pharmacare program are able to coordinate their prescription benefits with the prescription coverage offered under the NSCC plan, providing that coverage is in effect and the prescriptions are on the National Drug Formulary.
All waivers and documentation must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of class. No exceptions or extensions will be made after the deadline. Please note: all students sponsored by the Department of Community Services (DCS) are required to opt out of the NSCC student health and dental plan because of coverage offered through DCS.
Do I have to complete an opt-out waiver every year?
No. Once your waiver has been accepted, it will remain in effect as long as you are an eligible student. If you lose the coverage you used to waive the plan during the year, you can opt back into the Student Health and Dental Benefits Plan within 30 days. You must provide confirmation of loss of coverage from the previous insurer when you apply.
Also of note: students who opted out in a given year are able to opt back in to the plans 12 months after the initial opt out by completing and submitting an OPT IN form to the benefits office. No additional documentation will be required in this case.
How do I use the plan?
For new students, it will take about 90 days from the start of your program (Transition period) before your name is active with the insurance company. During this time, you are still able to access the health and dental plan benefits if you subsequently complete your Transition period successfully. You will, however, have to pay for any services and submit a paper claim to receive reimbursement from the insurance company after the 90 day enrollment period. Once the insurer has your name on file, you can use your NSCC Care Card for prescriptions and your dentist can submit claims on your behalf. For students who were on the plan last year, there is no interruption in your coverage.
What is covered under the health and dental benefits plan?
For a detailed account of the benefits offered under the NSCC Student Health & Dental Benefits plan, visit the Health & Dental website at www.mystudentplan.ca. A general overview of the coverage provided is as follows:
Health Plan Schedule of Benefits
| Benefit | Reimbursement | Max. Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Drug* - based on formulary | 70% | $3,000 per benefit year |
| Supplemental Health Care | ||
| Chiropractor - including one x-ray | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Registered Massage Therapist* - prescription required | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Naturopath | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Osteopath - including one x-ray | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Physiotherapy* - prescription required | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Psychologist or Social Worker - prescription required | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Speech Language Pathologist* - prescription required | 80% | $20/visit to $300 max. per benefit year |
| Ambulance | 80% | $250 per incident |
| Tutorial (after 15 days confinement due to injury or illness) | 80% | $15/hr to $2,000 max. per benefit year |
| Medical Equipment*^ (wheelchairs, hospital-type beds, etc) | 80% | Reimbursed at 80%. Wheelchair repairs limited to lifetime maximum of $250 |
| Trusses, Crutches, Splints and Braces*^ | 80% | Braces not solely for athletic use. Prescription and pre-authorization required. |
| Artificial Limbs and Prosthetics*^ | 80% | Reimbursed at 80%. Prescription and pre-authorization required. |
| Orthopaedic Shoes* | 80% | $150 per benefit year. Provided they are not solely for athletic use |
| Dental Accident ^ | 80% | Services must be performed within 12 months of accident; Max. $1,000 per occurrence |
*Services require physician's prescription
^Pre-authorization required
Note: Reasonable and customary charges apply as determined by the insurance carrier. In the event of a discrepancy between the information herein and our contract with the insurer, the terms of the contract apply.
Dental Plan Schedule of Benefits
| Benefit | Reimbursement | Max. Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Maximum | $750 per benefit year | |
| Diagnostic & Preventive (annual exam) | 70% | includes diagnosis, one unit of polishing, Two units of sealing and medically necessary x-rays once per benefit year. |
| Minor restorative (fillings, child space maintainers) | 60% | |
| Extractions | 50% | not more than 2 wisdom teeth per benefit year. |
| Periodontal, Endodontic & Other Oral Surgery | 20% | excluding additional scaling |
Note: Reasonable and customary charges apply as determined by the insurance carrier. In the event of a discrepancy between the information herein and our contract with the insurer, the terms of the contract apply.
PLEASE NOTE: Vision care is not a benefit of this plan.
More detailed information on the NSCC Student Health and Dental Plan can be obtained by visiting the Health & Dental Benefits Plan website at www.mystudentplan.ca and choosing NSCC from the drop down menu!
What is the Student Benefits Plan Office?
The Student Benefits Plan Office has been set up to help you with any questions you have about the Student Health and Dental Benefits Plan. Office staff can provide you with necessary forms and explain the benefits in more detail -- how to opt out, how to add family members and how to submit claims. Once you have started your program, you can also visit your campus Information Station for information and assistance.
Student Benefits Plan Office
Institute of Technology Campus, A Wing 1st Floor
5685 Leeds Street, Halifax | Map
Phone: 491-1624 (Metro) or 1-866-491-1624 (toll-free for out of Metro)
Fax: (902) 455-5084
Waterfront Campus, Student Services
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 0A5 | Map
A great feature – GroupNet for Plan Members
As a student enrolled in our Health and Dental Benefits plan, you have even more claims support at your disposal. By signing onto GroupNet (website dedicated to providing access to your group benefits information), students can:
- submit their claims online;
- set up direct deposit for quicker claims payments;
- view the status of their claims processing;
- complete and print personalized, pre-filled claim forms; and
- access information on important health and wellness topics.
Click the GroupNet icon on our benefits plan website www.mystudentplan.ca to enroll.
Important Notes
New ALP Students – If you have other coverage (i.e. spouse's plan, family plan, through a sponsor), you must submit your opt out waiver at least two weeks before your program start date. All other students will only be added to the plan upon successful completion of the three (3) month ALP Transition period, at which time your coverage will be backdated to the first day of the month in which your program started. Also, if you wish to add family coverage, your family opt in form will be required within 2 weeks of the end of your transition period.
Returning ALP Students – Your health and dental plan fee or opt-out waiver form (if not previously completed) must be submitted at least two weeks before your program start date so that you can be fully enrolled at NSCC. Your family opt-in form deadline is 30 days from your program start date. Your coverage begins the first day of the month in which your program starts.
Sponsored Students – If you have been identified to NSCC as a sponsored student through Department of Community Services (DCS) you will be automatically opted out of the NSCC health and dental plan.
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