Opting Out

Your Extended Health/Dental opt-out must be submitted during the opt-out period in which you begin your studies for that academic year:

Students starting in September
August 15 - September 25

Students starting in January
December 15 - January 25

Students starting in May
April 15 - May 25

Students starting in July
June 15 - July 25

Students wishing to opt-out must also submit an opt-out application each academic year.

You can apply to opt-out if you can provide proof of private & comparable Extended Health & Dental coverage, such as:

• Coverage through a parent or spouse, where you are listed as a dependent

• Coverage through your employer

• Coverage you purchased on your own (aka private coverage)

PLEASE NOTE:

• Your opt-out must be submitted during the term in which you begin your studies for that academic year (for most students, this is the fall term).

• You must attach proof of coverage with your application. This includes a photo of your plan card or a letter from the insurance company.

‍No. Students are unable to use the CDCP to opt out of their SMUSA dental plan as students are not actually eligible for the CDCP.

To be considered eligible for CDCP, Canadians must not have access to dental insurance.

The Government of Canada website is very clear that if you have benefits available through an employer, or a professional or student organization (like SMUSA), you would be considered to have access to dental insurance whether:

• you decide to take it

• you have to pay a premium for it, or

• you do not use it

More information on whether you qualify can be found online here.

To report any changes with your CDCP application, such as gaining access to a student dental plan, please call 1-833-537-4342 to connect with Service Canada as there is a special process in place to document changes with your CDCP application, including termination from CDCP.

During the opt-out period, students can access the opt-out form electronically on the Student VIP website here. You need to create an account and sign in to access the form.

If you have issues, please contact healthplan.smusa@smu.ca

Please carefully consider your decision to opt-out. By opting out of the Health and Dental benefits, you will not be eligible to opt back into the benefits until the next policy year begins, even if you lose your existing coverage.

Examples of losing coverage:

• If your coverage is through your parents/spouse and they lose their coverage;

• If you reach the age of maturity as a dependent on your parent’s benefits (i.e. age 21 for some benefits, 25 for others)