When will I receive details regarding my benefit enrollment? This is a question that employees who are newly eligible for benefits often ask. The short answer: approximately four weeks following the date the benefit contributions are reported to the Benefits Centre. For more information, click here!
The Health and Dental Benefits plan is self-insured. Green Shield Canada provides Administrative Services Only (ASO) by adjudicating and reimbursing the claims on behalf of The United Church Plan.
An ASO plan is one in which the plan sponsor is financially responsible for providing benefits to its employees/members. Plan sponsor, The United Church of Canada, chooses a plan design and assumes the risk of paying these claims.
Under the health and dental plan, the employers pay for core coverage (Active Plan). To learn more about the plan details and optional coverage, please see the Summary of Coverage Booklets in the document library.
A deductible is the amount of money members need to pay out-of-pocket for their healthcare expenses before their insurance starts to cover the costs. Annual deductibles ensure that employees share some of the costs of their healthcare. This helps control the overall cost of our plan for the employers and ensures the plan covers claims above the deductible up to a maximum (where applicable).
The deductibles for active members are:
For pensioners, the deductibles are:
For more details, please see the “Summary of Coverage” documents in the Document Library.
For administration questions related to your health and dental benefits (for example, change of address, new dependant), please contact the United Church Benefits Centre.
Step 1. Green Shield ID Card
You can use the ID Card to pay for drugs at the pharmacy and for the dentist or other paramedical practitioners (if they are registered with Green Shield), as it simplifies payment.
If it is not possible to use the ID Card at your pharmacy, health provider or dentist, you will need to submit the claim to GSC via the GreenShield+ website, the mobile app or a paper claim form. To submit a claim online, please go to GreenShield+ and then log in to your account and go to Your Claims, then select Submit a Claim. Claim forms are available on the GSC website and should be mailed to the address indicated on the form.
Step 2. Claim Submission Form
The Claim Submission Form, including a pre-authorized debit form, is available on the GreenShield+ website. If you choose to submit your claim form by mail, it is prudent in all cases to make copies of all receipts sent to Green Shield Canada.
A claim has to be submitted within 12 months from the date of service.
For any questions about specific coverage, for the status of any health or dental claim, or for predetermination of benefits, contact Green Shield directly at:
Green Shield Canada
Phone: 1-888-711-1119
Website: www.greenshield.ca
Step 3. Coordination of Health and Dental Benefits
If you have additional coverage through your spouse/partner’s membership in a health and dental plan, benefits can be coordinated. This means that the church’s plan will be your first payer for a benefit, and any eligible amounts that are left over can be claimed through the other plan you are covered under. The reimbursement from plan coordination will never exceed 100% of allowable expenses.
To coordinate claims, you need to submit the “explanation of benefit” that you receive from the first payer (in your case, from Green Shield), a claim form, and the receipts for the expense to the second plan. Your spouse/partner can do the same, submitting an “explanation of benefit” with receipts to Green Shield.
Eligible children’s expenses should be first submitted to the plan of the parent with the earliest birth date (month/day) in the year.
We recommend that you always make copies of receipts prior to sending them to the insurer.
Is there a change in your life that could change your group insurance needs or choices? Consult the documents below to guide you in this matter, or contact the United Church Benefits Centre.
For health and dental claims or detailed coverage inquiries, please contact the Green Shield Canada Customer Service Centre:
Green Shield Canada
Phone: 1-888-711-1119
Website: www.greenshield.ca
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen the Care Navigation experience, plan members will now see Medical Second Opinion listed under Telemedicine on GreenShield+. This enhancement, introduced on January 1, directs members to a cobranded landing page where they can easily submit a request online. Members who prefer phone support can continue to reach Novus Health directly at 1‑855‑908‑1275 to speak with a Health Information Specialist.
Novus Health’s Medical Second Opinion Program can help you get answers to your questions, such as:
This transition strengthens the long‑term vision for Care Navigation and ensures members continue receiving trusted, high‑quality guidance when navigating important health decisions.
For payrolls administered by ADP, confirm insurance information is correct. Check payroll reports to confirm deducted amounts are correct. Report updates and corrections to ADP through the treasurer or payroll administrator’s monthly call. See ADP Payroll Support for further information.
Here is where you can find all the information relating to the Group Benefit Changes that came into effect on January 1, 2022.
The Benefits for Active Members: Summary of Coverage can be found on the Document Library page, under Benefits Administration.
Fact Sheet: Augmenting the Active Member Health and Dental Plan: Information to consider if you are looking to augment the Active member health and dental plan.
GS 114 Active Member Group Benefits Plans 2022 - Premiums and Plan Changes: The proposal that was approved by the General Council Executive at their September 25 meeting.
Benefits Plan Comparison Chart: A two page chart comparing only the changes between the current Core, and Optional benefits, and the new Active Plan (effective Jan. 1, 2022).
FAQ - Group Benefits Plan Changes: A second version of the FAQ published on November 24, 2021. The additions in the document are in red.
Benefits Plan Video: A short video highlighting the changes to the new Active Plan.
Communications:
October 2020 letter from Nora Sanders, former General Secretary.
October 2021 letter from Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary.
Benefits for Active Members: Summary of Coverage: Describes the main features of group benefits plan for active members.
Benefits for Pensioners: Summary of Coverage: Describes the main features of group benefits plan for pensioners.
