Great news for student health in 2024! BUSU’s Student VIP Health and Dental Plan has increased mental health benefits 100 per cent up to $1,000 per year. They have also added wellness practitioner coverage for dieticians, naturopaths, and acupuncturists, up to $300 per year.

Brock undergraduate students are covered by BUSU’s StudentVIP extended Health and Dental Plan, which includes prescription drugs, health practitioner visits, dental, travel, and accident coverage. This policy starts on Sept. 1 and ends on August 31 of the following year.  For the most up-to-date info on this coverage, Brock students should visit www.brockBUSU.ca/healthplan.

From this website students can:

• Read about eligible benefits, by clicking on “Your Coverage”
• Download a digital “Benefit Card” on the home page
• Find out how to make claims by clicking on “Make A Claim” at the top of the page.
• Submit claims using the Blue Cross Member Portal or download the free Blue Cross Mobile App
• Get direct billing at preferred practitioners
• Check out Frequently Asked Questions
• Have access to VIP Perks and the Health Hub
• And much more!

The free Medavie Blue Cross app allows students access their claims history, eligible benefits information, and practitioner search, and it can be used to easily submit claims.

Other important information

The StudentVIP drug plan coverage is 50 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on where you have the prescription filled).   

This drug plan covers the cost of brand-name prescriptions up to the cost of the lowest-priced generic equivalent. Just because a brand name drug is covered does not mean you will be covered for the full 100 per cent. Receiving a generic drug will save students the most.

How to get the most savings on prescriptions

By using DrugSmart Pharmacy (across the street from Brock) or by registering for the Direct2U prescription service, students will pay the lowest price for their prescription drugs. For example, Direct2U/DrugSmart Pharmacy generic drugs are 100 per cent covered and brand name drugs are 80 per cent covered. Whereas, at other pharmacies generic drugs are 70 per cent covered and brand name drugs are 50 per cent covered.

For more information on Direct2U and to register for this service, visit:  www.studentvip.ca/busu/direct2u.

What if a student has coverage through their parents?

The StudentVIP plan provides certain benefits not available through other insurance plans (ie. vaccinations, vision, orthotics, wisdom teeth, 365 days of worldwide travel, which is important for students who are travelling abroad on exchange. 

If students already have another equivalent plan, they can combine it with their student plan to increase overall coverage!   A second plan can be beneficial for expensive claims like in the examples listed below:

1. A student must get their wisdom teeth removed, and the estimate for this procedure is roughly $2000.  If parent’s plan provides $1000 to cover this surgery, this plan would then pay (80%) of the leftover $1000, which is $800.  By using both plans, approximately $1800 would be covered, leaving only $200 leftover to be paid.  That’s some major savings!  Especially since the total cost of the dental plan for the entire year is $126.64!
2. A student needs approx. $1000 of physiotherapy because of an injury they sustained while playing for a varsity sports team.  The parents’ plan provides $500 towards this benefit.  If the student keeps this plan, they will have an additional $500 for physiotherapy.  That’s $1000 total!  Not too bad, considering the total cost of the health plan for the entire year is $169.91!
3. A student finds out they need a pair of prescription glasses that will cost $350.  The parent’s plan provides coverage for $200.  If the student keeps this plan, they have an additional $200 for coverage, which means the entire cost of their glasses will be reimbursed.

Benefits payable under the student plan will not exceed the combined total amount of eligible expenses incurred. In most cases the Student VIP Health Plan is the first/primary payor.  For details about how to coordinate an existing plan with their student plan, students should contact Joanne Matko, BUSU Health & Dental Plan Administrator at healthplan@brockBUSU.ca.

Can students opt-out of the Student Health & Dental Plans?

If students request an opt-out from the Student VIP plan, they must provide information for another comparable extended health and dental plan online during the opt-out period.  This plan must be a private extended health and dental plan provided by another Canadian insurance company in order to be eligible. The opt-out process is a yearly process, completed entirely online at www.brockBUSU.ca/healthplan.  Deadline is Sept. 30 every year.

If a student does opt-out and loses their alternative coverage, can they opt back into the plan?

No. Students are not eligible, under any circumstances, to re-enroll on the plan after opting out. If they are still a full-time eligible student at Brock University the next policy year, they will automatically be re-enrolled Sept. 1. 

For additional questions regarding the StudentVIP Health and Dental plan, students should contact Joanne, BUSU’s Health & Dental Plan Administrator at healthplan@brockbusu.ca.