The Student Association has your wellbeing in mind with the Health Benefits program
Did you know that you are eligible for a range of Health Benefits as a George Brown College (GBC) student?
Benefits are offered to both international and domestic students that are enrolled under the post-secondary courses and ESL program are provided through the Student Association of GBC (SAGBC).
Yukiko Ito, the senior coordinator for the Health Benefits program emphasized the importance of having health benefit coverage. The pandemic made the program realize how students, especially international students, were low on claiming their insurance due to lack of awareness, therefore, creating a need to extend awareness of the benefits for which students are eligible.
It is important to check your eligibility for the extended health and dental plan as a domestic and international student. domestic students must be enrolled in full time post-secondary or ESL course which may start in September or January, to be eligible for health benefits.
International Students, both part-time and full-time are eligible for two health care plans as mentioned below. International ESL students are only eligible for the medical services plan.
Domestic Students are eligible for the extended health and dental coverage plan which covers prescription drugs, physiotherapy, prescription eyeglasses, massage therapy, chiropractic healthcare and dental care services.
Domestic students can check the domestic health care plan by visiting www.wespeakstudent.com/. Domestic Students who already have a plan can opt out of the extended health and dental coverage plan by filling out the opt-out form before the mentioned deadline which is Oct. 6.
International Students while getting covered for the extended health and dental coverage plan also get covered for basic medical services – including walk-in clinic, laboratory test, or using the hospital for emergencies and/or serious medical issues involving hospitalization.
Health plans are mandatory for international students unless they are studying outside Canada or are under any provincial or federal Canadian health plan.
To claim the coverage, students must fill and submit a claim form which is available on the aforementioned website. Students can watch the instructional video on the SAGBC where they can learn to make an online claim.
For more information students can contact Health Benefits by email at healthbenefits@sagbc.ca, by phone at 416.415.5000 ext. 2443, or the website www.studentassociation.ca/healthbenefits/.
