WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN?
To qualify for this dental plan you must (A) be receiving or about to receive a pension (eg. Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, or former employer), and (B) be a resident of Canada. You may still be actively employed.
WHEN MAY I ENROLL?
You may choose to be covered under this plan starting on the first day of any future month.
IS THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN SPONSORED BY TREASURY OR YOUR FORMER EMPLOYER?
No. It is a private, strictly voluntary plan.
WHO MANAGES THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN?
The plan is administered by RMS Retirement Management Services Ltd. in Victoria, BC, Canada.
WHO PAYS THE CLAIMS?
Green Shield Canada handles the claims part of the plan. They are a not-for-profit corporation that began in 1957 in Windsor, ON.
WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN?
For enrollment, banking, address, and plan changes contact the plan administrator, RMS Retirement Management Services Ltd. Because of the overwhelming response to this plan PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT Green Shield Canada until you are a member of the plan. They will be unable to answer your questions until that time.
HOW DO I PAY FOR THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN?
Fees are paid monthly by pre-authorized debit from your bank account. Plan pricing and coverage are reviewed each year and may be changed on June 1st for all members, regardless of how long they have been on the plan.
CAN I PAY ANNUALLY?
Annual payments are not possible at this time due to administrative reasons. You will be notified if annual payments become possible.
ARE MY FEES TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
The fees for this plan are an eligible medical expense on your income tax. You may be able to claim them.
HOW DO I CLAIM FOR MY DENTAL BILLS?
Most dentists now offer direct billing which means they bill Green Shield Canada directly and you pay the difference in the office. If your dentist does not offer this, they will be able to give you the Standard Dental Claim Form needed.
HOW MUCH DOES THIS PLAN PAY?
The plan pays 70% in the first year and 80% thereafter for the services covered according to the current provincial dental fee guide. If your dental provider charges above this rate, you are responsible for the difference.
WHAT DOES PREDETERMINATION MEAN?
When the cost of your dental work is expected to exceed $300.00 on one claim you must have your dentist ask for pre-approval from Green Shield Canada before work begins. Please refer to the plan benefits for details. This does not mean your coverage is limited to $300.00. There is no overall limit on the total amount you may claim for the services covered.
IS MAJOR DENTAL WORK SUCH AS CROWNS, BRIDGES, NEW DENTURES, ORTHODONTICS ETC INCLUDED?
There is coverage after 12 months on the plan for crowns, bridges, and new dentures at 50% up to $600.00 per person over a 12-month period. Orthodontics are not covered.
DOES THIS PLAN COVER DENTURISTS?
Yes, but not all services provided by denturists. Please check the plan benefits for details.
CAN MY SPOUSE BE THE ONLY ONE ON THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN?
Yes, as long as the pensioner has coverage under another plan such as current employment, DVA, etc.
CAN I COVER MY COMMON-LAW SPOUSE?
Yes, as long as you have been living together for at least 12 months.
CAN MY DEPENDENT CHILDREN BE COVERED?
Yes, to the end of the year following their 21st birthday, or to the end of the year following their 25th birthday if enrolled in full-time attendance at a college, university, or institute of higher learning.
I AM THE PENSIONER. CAN I BE ON THE PLAN MYSELF WITHOUT COVERING MY SPOUSE OR DEPENDENTS?
Yes.
CAN I ADD MY SPOUSE OR DEPENDENTS LATER?
You may add them when they lose coverage under their present plan or at the next anniversary date of the plan.
I AM RECEIVING A SURVIVOR’S PENSION. AM I ELIGIBLE?
Yes.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO BE ON THE RETIREES DENTAL PLAN?
You are making a minimum commitment of one year.
WHEN DOES COVERAGE START?
Coverage begins on the first of the month you request but is subject to written confirmation from Green Shield Canada.
IS THERE A DEDUCTIBLE?
No. A deductible is a basic yearly charge that you pay before you may make a claim. This plan does not have a deductible. This is different from co-insurance which is 70% in year one and 80% in year two.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL VALUE-ADDED SERVICES?
Yes, the Preferred Provider Vision Network Arrangement:
As a Green Shield plan member, you have access to our national preferred provider vision network arrangement where all Green Shield plan members are eligible to receive a discount on eyewear and laser eye surgery.
Features of this great value-added service for either eyewear or laser eye surgery include:
- Offer applies to any Green Shield plan member, regardless of whether you have Green Shield vision benefits or not;
- The vision provider may bill Green Shield directly; the plan member just pays any portion of the expense not covered under their vision benefit;
- Trustworthy retail chains with convenient locations;
- The discount offer applies to everything such as all extra coatings, upgrades and accessories;
- Hundreds of the latest frame styles to choose from plus the latest lens and coating technology;
- Professional opticians to assist in selecting products;
- For some vendors, this offer applies to non-disposable contact lenses only (excludes disposable contact lenses).
Visit our website at greenshield.ca or call our Customer Service Centre at 1.888.711.1119 for information on the vision providers.
How to Submit Your Vision Claim
- Present your Green Shield Identification Card as proof of being a Green Shield plan member.
- The vision provider will apply the appropriate discount(s) to your claim and may submit the claim directly to Green Shield for payment. You pay your vision provider any balance not covered under your vision benefit.
- If no vision benefit exists, you pay your provider the full balance owing after the applicable discounts have been applied.