What is the blackout period and why does it occur?
Each semester there is a period of time in which the final enrolment list is generated by SFU and sent to the SFSS to update the insurance company system. This period of time is called the "blackout period". For September, the blackout period ends at the end of October, for January the blackout period end at the end of February, for May the blackout period ends at the end of June.

Note: As long as you are continuously enrolled in school you will only have 1 blackout period at the beginning of your initial graduate studies.

Can I submit my receipts or go to the dentist during the blackout period?
You can go to the dentist during the blackout period but you will need to pay for your expenses and then submit them once the blackout period is over. All expenses incurred during the blackout period should be submitted once the blackout period has ended and all students are active on the insurance companies system.

I opted out once, do I need to opt out again?

No, opt outs are permanent for the duration of your stay at SFU. You only need to complete the opt out/waiver once in your lifetime. There are no exceptions to this.

I opted out, when will I get a refund?
If you paid the fees for your health and dental coverage, then these fees will be credited to your student account. For information on refunds, please contact SFU Student Accounts at 778.782.3218.

If you did not pay the fees, you should check your student account via go.sfu and the charges for health and dental should now indicate $0.00.

When does my coverage start and end?
Enrollment dates are September 1st, January 1st or May 1st and your coverage would start the semester you initially enroll in classes. If you are an eligible Graduate student you will be automatically assessed/enrolled in the Graduate Benefit Plan.

I want to opt out, is there a deadline and how do I do that?
Yes, there is a deadline for *new* students each semester as follows:

Semester     Deadline
Sept.     September 30 - 4:00 p.m.
Jan.     January 30 - 4:00 p.m.
May     May 30 - 4:00 p.m.

E.G. If you are a new student who started in September, your opt out/change of coverage deadline will always be September 30th. If you are returning student who started initially started in September, your deadline will always be September 30th of each year.

I have missed the opt out deadline, what do I do now?
You can review the appeals information to determine whether you are eligible to file an appeals. To view the appeals form, click here.

My appeal was rejected, when can I opt out next?
You can opt out on the anniversary date of your coverage. E.g. If your coverage started September 1, 2005 you will have the opportunity to opt out again on September 1, 2006.

I have coverage under another plan and would like to coordinate between the two plans. How do I do that?
You would submit a claim form along with receipts to your first benefit plan. Upon receiving your payment, you would send a copy of your benefits statement (often called an “explanation of benefits” that is attached to your cheque and indicates what was paid and how much) along with a completed claim form and copy of receipts to your second plan for reimbursement of the balance.

I have coverage under another plan, how do I determine which plan pays first?
Please contact the Benefit Office and we will be happy to assist you in determining this.

How long does my coverage last for?
The fees for the Graduate Benefit Plan are assessed by the semester. Your coverage would start on the 1st of the semester and continue for the duration of the semester. If you are enrolled in at least one course the following semester, your coverage would continue on to the next semester and so on.

Can I opt out of just the dental or just the extended health portion?
Yes, you can opt out of dental and keep the extended health coverage or visa versa.

I opted out and now want to opt back in. Is it possible to do that?
Yes, you can opt back into the benefit plan within 30 days of the loss of your existing coverage by completing an Enrolment form and submitting it with your documentation and fee to the Benefit Plan Office.

How do I add family/couple coverage?
You can do so by completing a family add on form and submitting it along with your payment to the Benefit Plan Office by your applicable deadline./p>

What is MSP?
MSP is a mandatory provincial government plan for all BC residents. MSP provides coverage for doctor's fees, diagnostic and lab service fees only, it is not an extended health care plan. For information on MSP visit: http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp/

What is Fair Pharmacare?
Fair Pharmacare is a government program which assists low income families cover a portion of the costs for prescription medications. Only Permanent BC residents are eligible for Fair Pharmacare. For more information on Fair Pharmacare visit: https://pharmacare.moh.hnet.bc.ca/

Why is the Graduate Benefit Plan Mandatory?
With a mandatory plan, the insurance risk is spread over a larger number of people, which in turn helps lower the cost per student, making the fee in a range that is affordable to students.

I submitted a waiver and/or opted out using the online opt out but my student account indicates I have still been charged the fees, what should I do?
Waivers can be denied for the following reasons:

- your waiver was submitted after the deadline
- your waiver form was submitted without any documentation showing comparable coverage
- your waiver form was incomplete due to your refusal to provide the required information
- your waiver form was submitted but you do not have comparable coverage

If for any reason your waiver is denied, you will receive written notification from the Benefit Plan Office. Denials of waiver forms that are submitted for the above reasons are final and you will be automatically enrolled in the Graduate Benefit Plan.
All waivers/online opt outs are processed by the end of the second month of each semester.