Health Care Coverage

As a graduate student and a teaching assistant at Western, you are entitled to health care benefits from both the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) and the Graduate Teaching Assistants' Union (GTA Union). These benefits can include dental coverage, vision care, drug co-payment, paramedical services (acupuncture, massage, etc.), and more. It is important that you understand what services are available to you--after all, you can save a lot of money by claiming your health care benefits!

Student Health Services is located in the bottom floor of the University Community Centre (UCC). You should contact SHS if you require an appointment for either medical (519 661 3030; on-campus extension 83030) or counselling (519 661 3771; on-campus extension 83771) services.

SOGS/Green Shield Health and Dental Plan: SOGS provides you with health care through Green Shield Canada. A comprehensive list of the services provided by SOGS/Green Shield can be found on the SOGS website. There are two ways to claim your SOGS benefits:

1. Your health care provider (e.g., your dentist) bills Green Shield directly. In this instance Green Shield will automatically pay for a dental claim, 70% of the bill (up to a max of $500 per year) and then will send you a bill for the balance (which, after you pay it, you could get reimbursed through the GTA Union health plan - see below).


2. You pay your health care provider in full and then fill out a Green Shield Claim Submission Form in order to receive your reimbursement. The forms are available at the SOGS office and at at the SOGS website. Completed forms should be dropped off at the SOGS office. You may also be able to claim the remainder of your bill through the GTA Union health plan. (If your address changes, please let SOGS know so that they may re-direct your reimbursement to your new address.)

GTA Union Health Plan: You are only eligible for the GTA Union health plan if you are working as a TA this academic year. The purpose of the GTA Union health plan is to make co-payment on health care that is not covered by other sources, such as OHIP or Green Shield. The maximum amount you can claim depends on how many hours you work as a TA; consult the website for details. The GTA Union health plan also covers health care expenses not covered by other sources, such as vision wear that not covered by Green Shield, or Ayurveda. In order to make a claim, you must submit a) your original receipts, b) a photocopy of your current TA contract, and c) a completed Health Claim form (available at the GTA Union office in Somerville House and on the GTA Union website). Moreover, if you max out your annual health care allowance with the GTA Union (which is at $450 for 2008-9), you can also seek reimbursement for your health care needs through their TA Needs & Bursaries program. (You can apply to TANB for non-health related needs as well).

If you submit your claims - even just your dental bills - to SOGS and the GTA Union you will most likely be reimbursed in full and save hundreds of dollars every year. You are already paying for these services, so why not take advantage of them? If you have any further questions, the student SOGS and GTA Union representatives from the department will be happy to assist you.

For more information on disabilities services, consult the English Department webpage.