If you’re already covered by an equivalent health and dental plan (such as a parent's or spouse’s employee benefit plan, or a plan provided by your band council or through Health Canada), you can opt out during the Change-of-Coverage Period.

All opt outs are done online through our website here. You’ll need your student ID number and your date of birth. Opting out online ensures quick processing and allows you to receive an instant confirmation of your opt out.

If you successfully opt out of the Plan, you’ll receive an automated confirmation email once your opt out is complete. If you don’t receive an opt-out confirmation email by the end of your Change-of-Coverage Period, please contact our Care Centre.

You’re responsible for paying all college fees within the prescribed deadlines. If you don’t pay the COTRSA Plan fee, you may be assessed late fees and interest. We recommend that you pay all college fees even if you're opting out of the COTRSA Plan. Once your opt out is completed, you'll receive a refund for the amount of the Plan shortly after the Change-of-Coverage Period.

If you successfully opt out, you’ll receive an email money transfer or direct deposit for the amount of the Plan shortly after the end of the appropriate Change-of-Coverage Period.

The Email Money Transfer Password Retrieval system is only available once the refund e-transfers have been issued. Please do not try to log in beforehand. If your refund has been issued, and you can’t remember your password, please double-check that all your information is correct when accessing the Email Money Transfer Password Retrieval system. If you enter the wrong information, you will be locked out after 5 attempts. If you are currently locked out, please contact our Care Centre as soon as possible.

If you maxed out your password attempts, your bank will automatically cancel the e-transfer. If this happens, a cheque in the amount of the reimbursement minus a $10 administration fee will be automatically issued to the address we have on file, 6 weeks from the date your e-transfer was sent. If your address has recently changed, please contact our Care Centreas soon as possible.

Self-enrolments are done online through our website by clicking here. You’ll need your student ID number and your date of birth. Self-enrolling online ensures quick processing and allows you to receive an instant confirmation of your self-enrolment request.

If the college didn’t bill you automatically but you’re eligible for the Plan, you must provide proof of eligibility (“Tuition Fees”) during the online self-enrolment process.

Once your self-enrolment and proof of eligibility document have been reviewed, you’ll receive an automated email with payment instructions and a deadline during or shortly after the Change-of-Coverage Period.

All self-enrolments for Fall Term students are valid from Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025. New eligible Winter Term students may enrol themselves in the Plan for coverage between Jan. 1, 2025 – Aug. 31, 2025.

Yes, your Plan gives you the option to enrol your family (spouse and/or dependent children) during the appropriate Change-of-Coverage Period by completing an enrolment process and by paying an additional fee over and above your individual fee as a Plan member, through our website by clicking here. Common law couples are eligible.

Your Plan gives you the option to enrol your dependent children and/or your spouse. You can only cover one spouse at a time.

Coverage is only for the current policy year. If you want to cover your dependants in subsequent policy years, you must renew your couple/family coverage during the Change-of-Coverage Period at the beginning of each school year.

You can submit your receipts and paper claims directly to Pacific Blue Cross by mail or you can submit claims quickly and easily through Pacific Blue Cross’s online portal or mobile app. For more information, click here.  

An explanation of benefits (EOB) statement tells you what portion of a claim was paid to the health-care provider and what portion you must pay. Once your claim has been processed, you’ll receive an EOB from your insurer either electronically or by mail.

You can view or print details of your claims and set up direct deposit by registering for an online account with Pacific Blue Cross. Please visit Pacific Blue Cross's Member Profile (formerly called CARESnet) to register. You’ll be asked to enter your Policy Number and an ID number. The ID number is your 7-digit student ID number.

You can view or print details of your claims and set up direct deposit by registering for an online account with Pacific Blue Cross. Please visit Pacific Blue Cross's Member Profile (formerly called CARESnet) to register. You will be asked to enter your Policy Number and an ID number. The ID number is your 7-digit student ID number.

Yes, all health and dental claims must be received by Pacific Blue Cross no later than 90 days after the end of the policy year in which the claims were incurred or 90 days after the end of your coverage, whichever is sooner. Full-year coverage for this policy year ends Aug. 31, 2025. For more information and last year’s deadlines, click here.

Your policy number for health and dental benefits is 76605 (insured by Pacific Blue Cross). Your policy number for travel benefits is 97180 (administered by Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada). 
 

The COTRSA Health Plan covers medications listed in the BC Fair PharmaCare Formulary, including most oral contraceptives, insulin, and diabetic supplies. The Plan covers most medications legally requiring a prescription. For more information, including prescription drug maximums, click here.

To find out if a specific drug is covered, contact our Care Centre with both the name of the drug and its Drug Identification Number (DIN).

Fair PharmaCare is a provincial income-based program designed to provide fair access to coverage for prescription drugs—the lower your income, the more assistance the government will provide toward your eligible drug costs. For more information, please click here.

By presenting the Pay-Direct Card with your valid student ID card, you can fill your prescriptions at most pharmacies in British Columbia. The pharmacist will be able to process the claim immediately, so you won’t have to pay the full amount up front and wait to be reimbursed.

The covered formulary includes the majority of the prescription drugs commonly claimed by COTRSA Plan members. If your drug isn’t covered, you can apply for a Drug Exception reimbursement by clicking here.

The Studentcare Networks are composed of different types of health and dental practitioners conveniently located in your area and other regions of Canada. Their commitment to helping students provides you with the option of paying less for their services. Studentcare Networks savings work in addition to your insured benefits so that you can save even more money.

You aren’t limited to Studentcare Networks members. You’re covered for the insured portion regardless of the practitioner you choose. By consulting a member of the Studentcare Networks, you’ll get additional coverage.

Yes, you can access your Plan benefits if you have access to any Canadian provincial health-care coverage.

If you’re already covered by another provincial health-care plan or you’re an international student who hasn’t yet enrolled in BC MSP, you aren't eligible for Fair PharmaCare. However, you must contact the Care Centre so that we can ensure that your prescription drug claims continue to be covered by the COTRSA Health Plan with no restriction.

Yes, you can use your Plan benefits anywhere in Canada. For more information on how to claim, click here.

Yes, if you’re covered by another extended plan in addition to your student Plan (e.g. through a parent's or spouse's employer, or your own employer), you may coordinate the benefits in order to increase your overall coverage, up to 100%.

If you’re covered by your employer in addition to a student plan, your employee plan is your primary plan. All claims must first be submitted to your employee plan and then the remaining balance can be sent to your student plan. For step-by-step instructions, click here.

If you’re covered by your spouse’s or parent’s plan in addition to a student plan, your student plan is your primary plan. All claims must first be submitted to your student plan and then the remaining balance can be sent to your spouse’s or parent’s plan. For step-by-step instructions, click here.