Students residing in Canada should use the GSS Opt-out portal to request an opt out in the September term. Using the portal cuts down on our processing time so you will see your opt out reflected on your tuition sooner!
If emailing your opt-out, make sure to send in documentation of your alternate comparable coverage when sending in your PDF form.
Opt-Out – information on opting out of the Extended Health and/or Dental Insurance Plan
The GSS has moved to fixed opt-in/out deadlines. The deadline for Health and Dental Opt-ins/Outs will be:
- September start students: September 22.
- January start students: January 22
Deadlines apply to the first term in which you are assessed with the GSS Health and Dental fees.
The GSS opt-out period opens on September 1 for September start students, and January 1 for January start students. Students with comparable alternate coverage, may opt out of the extended health and/or dental insurance plan(s).
Notes: MSP and MTMI (Guard.me) is not comparable alternative coverage. If you have alternative coverage through BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Programs, please fill out a GSS Health and Dental Opt-out Form from our Forms Page.
All opt-outs must be renewed every academic year by submitting a new Opt-Out form by September 22 (or January 22 for students beginning their program in the January – April 2023 term).
Students should be aware that opt-outs are randomly audited and should hold onto all receipts.
Opt-outs are also permitted within 30 days of a change to your insurance situation. If you acquire new comparable alternate coverage at any point during the school year, you have 30 days to contact the Health and Dental Plan Coordinator to enquire about an opt-out. Alternatively, you may decide to keep the GSS insurance plan(s) and coordinate the benefits. Contact your insurance plan administrator for more details.
Opt-Out Situations
Graduate students that have comparable extended health and/or dental coverage through their workplace, spouse, or parents are eligible to Opt-Out from the GSS extended health and/or dental plan(s).
In September, you can opt out using the online Pacific Blue Cross opt-out portal. In order to opt out, you need to provide proof that you have alternate comparable extended Health and Dental coverage. We cannot accept BC MSP, Guard.Me or travel insurance as alternate comparable insurance.
International students opting out of the plan must submit an opt-out form found on our forms page to the Health and Dental Coordinator with proof that you are residing outside of Canada.
Upload/attach one of the following proof of alternate extended health and/dental coverage to be eligible to opt-out:
- Extended health and dental plan card
- A screenshot of your insurance account
- A letter, on company letterhead from the insurance company including all relevant policy, group and identification numbers.
- A letter, on company letterhead from your employer, spouses’, or parents’ employer outlining their coverage and including all relevant policy, group and identification numbers.
- A Treaty or Indian status card
- A card from the Department of National Defense
- A letter, on company letterhead, from your employer that outlines your medical spending account benefits
- A coverage letter from your BC Employment and Assistance program that outlines the comparable Medical Services Only (MSO) and/or Dental and Orthodontic Services (DOS) coverage through the BC Government.
All opt-outs can take 7-10 business days to be processed and be reflected on your Tuition Account. All graduate students are responsible for continually monitoring and maintaining their own registration, tuition account, and financial records.
If you have obtained new coverage from another source after September 30th, please download and complete an opt-out form from our Forms Page and email it with your attached document to the Health and Dental Coordinator (gsoc@uvic.ca) within 30 days of your new coverage starting. Opt-ins received after they 30-day window will not be eligible.
Please see Graduate Students Residing Outside of Canada
When you graduate or complete the requirements of your graduate program, you may keep your coverage until it expires on August 31 or you may decide to opt out.
If you decide to opt out, your coverage will be terminated at the end of the term in which you graduated. Our insurance policy has a 30 day rule to notify the GSS of your intention to opt out due to your graduate program completion. This means that you will have 30 days from the date that the requirements of your program completion
If you paid the GSS extended health and/or dental plan fees with tuition for the year, then you will receive a prorated refund according the number of remaining unused months.
Download a GSS Health and Dental Opt-out Form.
On the opt-out form:
- Notes section: Indicate that you have completed your graduate program
- How you’d like your refund issued: cheque by mail (include mailing or new address) ore-Transfer (include email for transfer)
- Include a copy of your program completion letter with date, name, and program.
For example of how refunds are calculated:
You started your program in September and paid for the year and you have completed your program requirements as granted by the Graduate Admissions and Records Office and Faculty of Graduate Studies in April. Your insurance termination date is based on the date on your program completion letter. If your completion was in April, and the refund will be for May – August (the remaining unused months). If you have an insurance claim or other receipt pending, this can delay the termination date with the insurance company.
You must contact the GSS Health and Dental Coordinator within 30 days of being eligible for an opt-out.
If you plan to depart Canada before completing your graduate program (or have completed it) and do not have plans to return, you are eligible for an opt-out. You will have 30 days to submit an opt-out form and notify the GSS of your departure.
If you paid the GSS extended health and/or dental plan fees with tuition for the year, then you will receive a prorated refund according the number of remaining unused months.
For example:
You started your program in September and paid for the year and you plan on leaving Canada permanently in April and do not plan on returning. Your insurance termination date will be the last day of April, and the refund will be for May – August (the remaining unused months). If you have an insurance claim or other receipt pending, this can delay the termination date with the insurance company.
Download a GSS Health and Dental Opt-out Form.
Fill out the opt-out form:
- Notes section: Indicate that you will no longer be a resident in Canada and include your departure date
- How you’d like your refund issued: cheque by mail or e-Transfer
- Include your non-Canadian mailing address
You must contact the GSS Health and Dental Coordinator within 30 days of being eligible for an opt-out.
The deadline for individuals on the Graduate Student Tuition Income Offset Plan with UVic Accounting Services, is September 20th for the refund to be reflected in your installments. Please send in your Opt-out as soon as possible to ensure your opt out is reflected in your Tuition Income Offset Plan. It may take up to 7 business days for your opt out to be processed in the UVic systems.