Frequently asked questions

• Coverage for vision care, including eye exams, will increase to $400 every two years for adults and children—up from $300 every two years (adults) and every year (children).
• Coverage for hearing care will increase to $2,000 every five years—up from $1,400 every four years.
• Coverage for paramedical services, including counsellors and social workers, will increase to $1,500 every year—up from $1,000 every year.
• Prescription drugs will be covered at 80 per cent up to $2,000 of paid expenses (previously the first $1,000 of paid expenses), then at 100 per cent of eligible expenses for the remainder of the calendar year.
• Coverage for prescription drugs will have an annual maximum of $20,000 per claimant.

The preferred arrangement on prescriptions with Costco will be removed. For details of these changes, read the July 4, 2024 board communique.

There are no changes to the dental program.

The board decided to make changes to the retirement health coverage after reviewing the results of the survey, as well as considering other factors like plan usage, cost, sustainability and market trends.

Information about the results of the survey was shared with members in early 2024.

Members were eligible to take part in the engagement if they were either:

• An active member contributing to the Teachers’ Pension Plan and within five years of retirement
• A retired member collecting a pension from the Teachers' Pension Plan

Changes will apply to all members enrolled in coverage, regardless of retirement date.

If you are currently retired, you can learn how to enrol in the program by reading Apply for or cancel coverage on the plan website.

If you are nearing retirement, you can learn more about retirement health coverage and how to enrol by reading Retirement health coverage and you on the plan website.

See Retirement health coverage and you on the plan website for more information about eligibility.

To be eligible for coverage, your unmarried dependent child must be under age 19. The rules are different for full-time students and disabled children who are considered your dependant under the Income Tax Act. For full eligibility information for dependent children, see the GreenShield My Benefit Plan booklet.

Retirement health coverage under the Teachers' Pension Plan is optional. However, it is important to note that if you choose not to enrol when you retire, you will need to meet specific requirements if you want to enrol later. See the GreenShield My Benefit Plan booklet for more information.

No. Once you retire, you are no longer eligible for coverage through your employer.

Retirement health coverage under the Teachers’ Pension Plan is optional. Depending on your situation, you may have access to group coverage through another provider, such as your spouse’s employer.

We recommend you carefully review coverage details such as co-insurance, premium rates and annual maximums, and assess the current and future health needs for you and your family.

You may be eligible for dual coverage. The GreenShield plan is set up to coordinate with other plans that may be available to you (e.g., your spouse’s plan). Contact the plan for more information.