Contact the Benefits Office

Student Benefits Flex Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do I have Health and Dental fees in my statement of account?

The Health and Dental plan is mandatory for all students in a career program with full-time status. The fees are part of the tuition when you are enrolled at Bow Valley College. If you are eligible, you are automatically enrolled in the balanced plan.

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Q: Is the Health and Dental Plan mandatory?

Yes, it is. The Health and Dental plans were approved by the student referendum and as a result, are now a requirement of your enrolment at Bow Valley College through your membership in the Students’ Association. The plans provide protection and security for eligible students minimizing the effects of injury or ailments. The cost of the plans is included in your institutional fees and the student is automatically enrolled in the balanced plan.

Q: Am I an eligible student for the Health and Dental Plan?

If you meet the eligibility criteria you are enrolled the Health and Dental Plan.

Eligibility criteria:

• you are a member of the Students’ Association of Bow Valley College,

• you are a full-time student in a career program,

• you are residing in Canada, and

• you are under the age of 70.

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Q: When does my coverage start?

The coverage for new students starts on the first day of the month when the semester commences.  For example: if the semester begins on August 29th, the coverage starts on August 1st. Each semester eligible students are granted 6 months of coverage.

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Q: What is "waiting period" or "validation period"?

This is a period of time when new students will be added to the extended health and dental database. It is 60 days after the start of the semester or term.

Before ending the enrolment period

• New students aren’t able to use their myBenefits Card.

• New students aren’t able to submit claims (online or manual).

• New eligible students have coverage. However, if the students need to use some of the services included in their plan, they need to pay 100 percent of service expenses from their pocket and keep the receipts. After the validation period ends, the students can submit online claims.

• Returning Students – if eligible for the current term – coverage is fully active and can use their myBenefits Card and submit online claims from the start-date of the term.

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Q: How do I Opt-Out of the Health and Dental Plan?

If you are an eligible student and have comparable health and/or dental coverage you may apply to opt-out of the plan(s). Each student is given one opportunity to opt-out of the health and/or dental plan(s) each year.

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time status.

• Enrolled in a career program.

• In their 1st, 3rd, 5th or Anniversary term.

• Proof of alternate insurance coverage.

• Apply online within 30 days of the term’ start-date.

Procedure

1. Go to our website: mystudentplan.ca/bowvalley

2. Under the header choose the Opt-out/Enrol

3. In the Opt-out/Enrol section choose the option “Opt-out”.

4. Scroll down and complete the form with your information.

5. Automatically, you will receive a 1st email that confirms submission.

6. You would receive a 2nd email if the application was rejected or you were chosen for an audit.

7. If the application is approved the student receives 100 percent of the Health and Dental fees in 15 business days.

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Q: I do not want the Health and Dental plan; can I remove it from my statement of account?

No, you can not. The Health and Dental fees will be removed from your statement of account when you have been approved to opt-out of the Health and Dental Plan if an online application was submitted. However, if you are eligible to opt-out of the plan, the College will reimburse 100 percent of those fees. Remember, health and dental charges are mandatory fees that must be paid.

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Q: I do not need the Health and Dental plan; I have the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). Can I opt-out of the plan?

No, you can not. The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides eligible Alberta residents with full coverage for medically necessary physician services. The Health and Dental Plan is an extended comprehensive coverage and provides students with additional benefits such as: prescription drugs, optometry, dental, physiotherapy, naturopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, psychologist, massage therapist, among others. These benefits are not included in the AHCIP.

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Q: I have benefits from my parents, spouse or employer; can I opt out of the Health and Dental plan?

Yes, you can if you are an eligible student. Students are given one opportunity to opt-out of the health and/or dental plan(s) each year.

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time status.

• Enrolled in a career program.

• In their 1st, 3rd, 5th or Anniversary term.

• Proof of alternate insurance coverage.

• Apply online within 30 days of the term’ start-date.

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Q: I have benefits from the government; can I opt out of the Health and Dental plan?

Yes, you can if you are an eligible student and have the extended benefits from the following programs: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Advancing Futures Program, Alberta Works, Alberta Adult Health Benefits and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Each student is given one opportunity to opt-out of the health and/or dental plan(s) each year.

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time status.

• Enrolled in a career program.

• In their 1st, 3rd, 5th or Anniversary term.

• Proof of alternate insurance coverage.

• Apply online within 30 days of the term’ start-date.

Q: Can I opt-out of the plan at any time?

No, you can not. The opt-out deadline is defined within 30 days from the start-date of the semester and you are required to be eligible and apply online via our website: mystudentplan.ca/bowvalley, opt-out/enrol option.

Q: Can I extend my coverage to my family?

Yes, you can. Coverage provided through the Student Health and Dental plan can be extended to spouse/common in law partner and/or children.

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time status.

• Enrolled in a career program.

• In their 1st, 3rd, 5th or Anniversary term.

• Apply online within 30 days of the term’ start-date.

Important Notes:

• The family members would be covered for one academic year only if the Student keeps full-time status during two consecutive terms.

• The waiting period applies to the family members for new and returning students.

• Payment must be provided online (Visa or MasterCard) before the deadline to complete family enrollment to the Student Benefits Plan.

• When the waiting period ends, the family members must use the same myBenefits Card as the Student – same Student Name and Id Number -. Family members can access a card online via ca/bowvalley/en/card-generator.

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Q: Can I add parents or siblings to my plan?

No, you can not. Coverage provided through the Student Health and Dental plan can be extended only to spouse/common in law partner and/or children. You can NOT extend your coverage to parents, siblings or friends.

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Q: How much is the cost to extend the coverage for my family?

The cost of adding family depends on the number of members that you would like to add. The following table shows the price for Health and Dental coverage:

ONE FAMILY MEMBER

Health

$180

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Dental

$180

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Total

$360

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TWO OR MORE FAMILY MEMBERS

Health

$180

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Dental

$360

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Total

$540

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Q: Is my family’s coverage the same as mine?

Yes. Your family will have the same coverage that you have because you are the primary member. For example: if you are enrolling in the Balanced Plan, each family member would have the Balanced Plan too. Your family can not have a different plan than you.

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Q: Does every family member need the myBenefits card?

No, they do not. Eligible Students can pick up one myBenefits Card during their first term from the Health and Dental Plan Office. If you add family members to your plan, they can use the same card. You can create more myBenefits Cards online through our website mystudentplan.ca/bowvalley. If you decide to create more cards online, please know the card must have your name and student ID number. If you type in your spouse’s or children’s name in myBenefits Card, it will not work as you are the primary holder of the student plan.

Q: How do I add a family member?

Coverage provided through the Student Health and Dental plan can be extended to spouse/common in law partner and/or children.

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time status.

• Enrolled in a career program.

• In their 1st, 3rd, 5th or Anniversary term.

• Apply online within 30 days of the term’ start-date.

Procedure:

1. Go to our website: mystudentplan.ca/bowvalley

2. Under the header choose the Opt-out/Enrol.

3. In the Opt-out/Enrol choose the option “Family Add On”.

4. Scroll down and fill the form with your and your dependents information.

5. Automatically, you will receive a first email that confirms submission.

6. You will receive a second email with the status of your application – approved or rejected – If approved, a link will display to process online payment (Visa or MasterCard) that will active until the deadline stated.

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Q: If I opted-out in a previous semester can I opt-in to the Health and Dental Plan again?

If you have successfully completed an opt-out but requires re-enrollment into the plan, you can opt back into the plan. You need to meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility criteria:

• you are a member of the Students’ Association of Bow Valley College,

• you are a full-time student in a career program,

• you are residing in Canada,

• you have a waiver active, and you are under the age of 70.

Q: Do I need to apply to opt-out of the plan every term?

No, you do not. When you apply to opt-out of the plan and your application is approved your status in our records changes to waiver active. This status is enforced during your studies at Bow Valley College.

Q: Do I need to apply for myBenefits Card at the Health and Dental office?

No, you do not. If you are an Eligible Student, myBenefits Card is part of the Health and Dental Plan. You can access the card in our website mystudentplan.ca/bowvalley or pick the card up in our office after the waiting period ends (60 days from the term’ start-date) during your first full-time term.

Q: When is myBenefits Card activated?

myBenefits Card is activated after the waiting or validation period ends (60 days after the official term’ start-date) for new eligible students. Returning students do not need to wait if they have been eligible students during the previous and current term. If a returning student had part-time status the previous semester or was enrolled in a non-eligible program, the student needs to wait 60 days after the official start-date.

Q: How do I make a claim?

If you use your benefits during the waiting period or your practitioner does not have direct billing, you can submit online claims and we will reimburse the portion covered under the student plan. Reimbursements would be directly deposited into your bank account or a check mailed to your home address.

Procedure online:

1. Go to GroupNet website: greatwestlife.com

2. Click on the start registration button and fill-up the form. We recommend typing your bow valley email

3. Automatically, you receive an email confirming registration and a link to verify the email, please click on the link to complete registration.

4. Go to GroupNet website: greatwestlife.com and sign in.

5. Update your address and your bank account. You need to wait for 2 business days while the system updates your information.

6. After 2 business days, sign in again, click on the link “Make a claim” and follow the instructions.

7. Within 10 business days you will receive your reimbursement deposited into your bank account.

Procedure manual:

If your claim is for one of the services below, you must fill up a form, attach the original receipts and documents, and mail to the insurer. Remember to keep a copy of all original documents for your records.

• Supplemental Health

• Ambulance

• Dental Accident

• Emergency Travel Coverage

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment

• Critical Illness

• Tutorial

• Services & Supplies

The following information is required on the claim form:

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Plan Number: 330760
Division Number: Not Applicable Leave Blank
Plan Name: Students’ Association of Bow Valley College (SABVC)
Employee Identification Number: Your Student ID number
Employee Name: Your Name
Address: Your Current Mailing Address

You can find the forms in our website mystudentplan.ca/bowvalley/en/making-a-claim.

Q: Where can I find more information about my health and dental plan?

• Read about the Health and Dental Plans on the SABVC Health and Dental Benefits website https://sabvc.ca/health-and-dental/

• E-mail us at bowvalleyplan@mystudentplan.ca;

• Phone us 410.1696; or

• Come by to our office: S2034, South Campus, 345 6th Ave S.E. Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4S6