At the February 5 AMS Council meeting, an overview and update was given on the status of the AMS/GSS Health and Dental plan, including talks of a slight increase in certain areas of coverage.
In 2023/24, health claims totalled $6.89 million, marking a slight decrease from the 2022/23 total of $7.33 million. However, from September–December 2024, total health claims increased by almost $500,000 compared to the same period in 2023. This surge was primarily driven by mental health claims.
In an email statement to The Ubyssey, AMS Interim VP Finance Amber Dhaliwal wrote, “While this trend initially showed signs of stabilization last year, we have observed another rise in demand this policy year with a nearly 50% increase comparing the same time period, year over year. It’s something we will continue monitoring.”
The plan previously included a discount on prescription drugs and Rexall-branded products at Rexall pharmacies. But this year, wrote Dhaliwal, Studentcare renegotiated the discount, increasing prescription drug savings from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, allowing students to receive full coverage for prescription drugs from Rexall.
Prescription drug coverage is set at 80 per cent insured, but the new negotiations allow students to receive full coverage when filling prescriptions at Rexall.
Additionally, the discount on Rexall-branded products rose from 20 to 25 per cent. Dhaliwal said these savings are embedded directly into pharmacy systems, allowing AMS/GSS Plan members to automatically receive the discount at checkout.
Studentcare also negotiated an increase in savings for preventative dental services, including recall exams and cleanings, done by dental network members, raising the discount from 20 to 30 per cent.
“The cost of dental services in BC has been rising at an unprecedented rate since the pandemic, making routine dental care increasingly expensive for students," Dhaliwal wrote.
Insurance coverage remains at 70 per cent, allowing students to have up to full coverage of preventative dental costs if they visit a member of the dental network.
The annual maximum remains at $750 per policy year, and basic services, including oral surgery, fillings, endodontics and periodontics remain insured at 50 per cent, with an additional 20 per cent covered if students visit dental network members.
In the fall, the pop up flu clinic successfully vaccinated over 500 students in one day. Due to its success, Dhaliwal wrote two dates for 2025 have already been secured for the clinic to return, as the program is expected to become an annual offering.
Coverage remains unchanged in other areas of health, including full coverage for psychologist visits, $20 per visit for chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, as well as benefits for vision care and 2SLGBTQIA+ support.
To ensure the plan continues to align with student priorities and evolving healthcare needs, Studentcare conducted a health plan survey in Winter, 2024. According to Dhaliwal, the survey was distributed to a randomized subset of students and received 306 responses. Feedback collected has already led to policy adjustments, such as the removal of the MD requirement for registered massage therapy coverage.
“The AMS has worked diligently over the past two years to build a more sustainable framework for the Plan,” Dhaliwal stated.
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