GSA Health & Dental Plan
Health and dental coverage for Carleton graduate students, provided by GreenShield.
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Fall 2026
Opt-out, dependant enrolment & eligible opt-in
September 1, 2026 – October 10, 2026
Requests must be completed by October 10, 2026.
Having trouble accessing the portal?
For an inaccessible or locked portal account, contact Student First by Prosum:
Which situation applies to you?
Answer three short questions to find the Health & Dental Plan information that applies to you and any steps you may need to take.
Student Benefits Portal short code: CAR
This tool is a general guide. It does not access your Carleton or GreenShield account. Your individual plan status is determined by your student account and confirmation from the plan administrator.
What do you need to do?
Choose an action to find instructions, deadlines and relevant forms.
Opt in or add dependants
Check eligibility, prices, payment requirements and enrollment steps.
View opt-in instructions →Opt out
Learn what proof is required, how to apply and when to expect your refund.
View opt-out instructions →Submit a claim
Find direct-billing, online claim, receipt and reimbursement information.
View claim instructions →View plan coverage
Review prescription, dental, vision, mental-health and travel benefits.
Explore your benefits →Check coverage dates
See coverage periods for September starts, January starts and returning students.
View coverage periods →Get help
Find the correct contact for enrollment, eligibility, claims and account problems.
Find the right contact →Coverage periods
Your coverage dates depend on when you begin your program and when your enrollment is activated.
Fall-start students
September 1–August 31
Full-time graduate students are normally enrolled automatically. Part-time and co-op students must opt in during the fall enrollment period. Fall coverage fees are for the complete plan year and are not prorated.
Winter-start students
January 1–August 31
Graduate students beginning their program in January must follow the winter opt-in process. Winter coverage applies for the remainder of the plan year, and the applicable cost is prorated.
Returning students
Check your status each September
Full-time students are normally enrolled and charged each plan year. Part-time and co-op students are not automatically enrolled. Students who opt out must normally submit a new opt-out application each year.
Benefits at a glance
The following is a summary of commonly used benefits. Coverage limits, eligibility requirements and exclusions may apply.
Prescription drugs
80% · Up to $2,000
Maximum per policy year. The dispensing fee is limited to $5 per prescription or refill.
Dental care
Up to $750
Reimbursement varies by dental service. Additional savings may be available through the Student Dental Discount Network.
Vision care
100% · Up to $150
Eyeglasses, contact lenses and eye exams share an overall maximum every 24 consecutive months.
Mental-health practitioners
$50 per visit · $500 maximum
Maximum per benefit year. The plan also includes five hours of individual counselling and five hours of couple counselling.
Paramedical practitioners
$20 per visit · $300 combined
Includes eligible chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physiotherapy and speech therapy services.
Emergency travel coverage
Up to $5,000,000
Emergency travel-health coverage for eligible trips of up to 60 days per trip.
Use your coverage
Find your GreenShield Member ID and contact the right organization for assistance.
Your GreenShield Member ID
Your Member ID begins with CAR, followed by your Carleton student number and the appropriate dependant code.
CAR101234567-00
| Plan member | ID ending |
|---|---|
| Graduate student | -00 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | -01 |
| First dependent child | -02 |
| Additional children | -03, -04, etc. |
Who should you contact?
GSA plan administration
Contact the GSA about eligibility, opt-in, opt-out, dependants, enrollment activation and refunds.
GreenShield
Contact GreenShield about claims, eligible expenses, benefit balances, direct deposit and your Member ID card.
Enrollment and claims
Open the relevant section for eligibility requirements and step-by-step instructions.
Opt in or add dependants
Who should use the opt-in process?
- Eligible part-time graduate students
- Eligible co-op graduate students
- Full-time graduate students beginning in January
- Enrolled students adding a spouse, common-law partner or eligible children
How to opt in
- If you are part-time or on co-op, contact the GSA plan administrator to request access to the Student Benefits Portal.
- Register or sign in to the Student Benefits Portal.
- Review the available health and dental coverage options.
- Add yourself and/or eligible dependants as applicable.
- Review the applicable fees and complete payment.
- Save your enrollment and payment confirmation.
Current enrollment periods
- Fall 2026: September 1–October 10, 2026
- Winter 2027: January 4–February 7, 2027, for eligible students who were not enrolled in Fall 2026
Opt out of the plan
Who may opt out?
Full-time graduate students with comparable alternative health and dental coverage may apply to opt out during the published enrollment period. Proof of the alternative coverage is required.
How to opt out
- Register or sign in to the Student Benefits Portal.
- Select the appropriate opt-out option.
- Enter the required alternative-plan information.
- Upload clear and current proof of comparable coverage.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Keep the submission confirmation email.
- Monitor your email in case additional documentation is requested.
After submission
A “processed” or submission message confirms that the request was received; it does not necessarily mean it has been approved. You should receive a separate decision after your proof is reviewed. Approved refunds are credited to the student’s Carleton Central account.
Continue paying university fees according to Carleton’s deadlines. Do not deduct the plan fee yourself while waiting for the opt-out decision.
Submit a GreenShield claim
Option 1: Ask for direct billing
Tell your pharmacy, dentist or health-care provider that you have GreenShield student coverage. Provide your correct GreenShield Member ID. If the provider offers direct billing, they may submit the claim for you.
Option 2: Submit the claim yourself
- Register or sign in to GreenShield+.
- Confirm your Member ID and contact information.
- Add your banking information for direct deposit.
- Select the option to submit a claim.
- Upload the receipt and any required supporting documentation.
- Keep the original documents until the claim is finalized.
Who handles claim questions?
Contact GreenShield—not the GSA—for claim decisions, eligible expenses, benefit balances, direct deposit and claim-status questions.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions about enrollment, activation, claims and refunds.
GSA HEALTH & DENTAL PLAN 2026-2027
Frequently asked questions
Find answers about eligibility, opting out, refunds, dependants, Winter enrolment, benefits and claims.
Eligibility and enrolment
Am I automatically enrolled in the GSA Health & Dental Plan?
Full-time graduate students registered in the Fall term are automatically enrolled in the GSA Health & Dental Plan. The Plan fee appears on your Carleton student account as “Accident/Drug/Dental Insurance.”
For the 2026-2027 plan year, the single-student fee is $479.52, and coverage runs from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027.
How can I check whether I am enrolled?
Check your Carleton student account for an “Accident/Drug/Dental Insurance” charge of $479.52.
If you recently changed your registration status, also check your student account to confirm whether the charge has been assessed.
I am a part-time student. Am I automatically enrolled?
No. Part-time students are not automatically charged for the GSA Health & Dental Plan. Eligible part-time students who want coverage must opt in during the applicable opt-in period.
I am a co-op student. Am I automatically enrolled?
No. Co-op students are not automatically charged for the GSA Health & Dental Plan. Eligible co-op students who want coverage must opt in during the applicable opt-in period.
I am not registered in the Fall because I am on an authorized leave of absence. Can I enrol in the Plan?
If you are not registered as an eligible student in the Fall term, you are not eligible to enrol in the Fall Plan through the GSA.
If you are registered as a full-time graduate student in Fall 2026 and subsequently take an approved leave of absence in the Winter term, your existing coverage remains in effect until August 31, 2027.
I am graduating in December. Does my coverage end when I graduate?
If you were enrolled as an eligible full-time student in Fall 2026, your coverage continues for the full plan year, until August 31, 2027.
Opting out
When can I opt out of the GSA Health & Dental Plan?
The Fall 2026 opt-out period is September 1 to October 10, 2026. Opt-out requests must be submitted during this period.
I opted out last year. Do I need to opt out again?
Yes. You must submit a new opt-out request each plan year, even if you opted out previously.
What do I need to opt out?
You must have eligible alternative health and dental coverage and provide the required proof of coverage through the Student Benefits Portal.
The insurance administrator determines whether your alternative coverage meets the requirements for an opt-out.
I have OHIP. Can I use my OHIP card to opt out?
No. OHIP is provincial health insurance and does not constitute alternative extended health and dental coverage for the purpose of opting out of the GSA Plan.
If you have separate private health and dental insurance, you can submit proof of that coverage for assessment.
I have UHIP. Can I use it to opt out of the GSA Plan?
No. UHIP and the GSA Health & Dental Plan provide different types of coverage. UHIP cannot be used as alternative health and dental coverage to opt out of the GSA Plan.
Can I use the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to opt out?
No. The CDCP cannot be used as alternative coverage to opt out of the GSA Health & Dental Plan.
I have insurance through my employer, spouse or another private insurance provider. Can I opt out?
You may be eligible to opt out if your alternative coverage meets the Plan’s requirements. You will need to submit proof of your coverage during the opt-out period.
The insurance administrator makes the final determination regarding whether the alternative coverage qualifies.
I submitted an opt-out through another student association, website or insurance plan. Does that count?
No. You must complete the GSA Health & Dental Plan’s official opt-out process during the applicable opt-out period using the Student Benefits Portal.
An opt-out submitted through another student association, insurance plan or unrelated system does not constitute an opt-out from the GSA Plan.
What happens if I miss the opt-out deadline?
Opt-out requests must be submitted by October 10, 2026. Students are responsible for completing the process within the applicable opt-out period.
Opt-out refunds and student accounts
What does “Processed” mean in the Student Benefits Portal?
A “Processed” status means your opt-out request was successfully submitted. It does not mean the request has received final approval.
No further action is required unless you are contacted about missing or inaccurate proof of alternative coverage.
Why do I have to pay the $479.52 fee if I intend to opt out?
Full-time Fall students are automatically charged for the Plan. Students who have eligible alternative coverage must complete the opt-out process during the applicable period.
Once approved opt-outs are processed, the information is forwarded to Carleton University so the applicable fee can be credited to the student’s account.
I plan to opt out. Should I deduct $479.52 from my tuition payment?
No. You remain responsible for paying your Carleton University fees according to the University’s applicable payment deadlines.
If your opt-out is approved, the Plan fee will subsequently be credited to your student account.
When will I receive my opt-out refund?
The Fall opt-out period closes on October 10. After the deadline, TELUS Health, the Third-Party Administrator, processes the opt-out requests and forwards them to GreenShield for review.
Once GreenShield approves the opt-outs, the GSA sends the approved information to Carleton University for student-account adjustments. Processing times vary at each stage, so refunds are not immediate.
Approved opt-out refunds are expected to be reflected on student accounts by the end of the Fall semester.
What happens if I have no outstanding tuition when my refund is processed?
If the refund creates a credit balance on your student account, you can request a refund from Carleton University through its applicable student-account refund process.
Accessing GreenShield coverage
What is my GreenShield ID?
Your GreenShield ID consists of the three-letter school code CAR, your Carleton student number and -00.
Example: CAR111222333-00
Why does GreenShield show that my coverage is inactive?
If you have confirmed that the GSA Plan fee has been charged to your student account, you may experience a temporary inactive period while GreenShield collects and updates your enrolment information.
Paper claims can still be submitted during this period and will be processed once your enrolment information is updated. You may also keep your receipts and submit eligible claims online after your GreenShield+ account becomes active.
If the GSA Plan fee has been charged to your student account but your coverage remains inactive beyond October, contact the GSA for assistance.
What is the difference between the Student Benefits Portal and GreenShield+?
Use the Student Benefits Portal for eligible opt-in, dependant enrolment and opt-out activities.
Use GreenShield+ to submit claims, check claim status, view benefit balances, obtain your Member ID card and manage direct deposit after your enrolment becomes active.
Dependants
Does my $479.52 fee cover my spouse, children or other dependants?
No. The $479.52 fee covers the student only. Spouses and eligible dependent children must be added separately.
I opted in my spouse, children or dependants last year. Will their coverage renew automatically?
No. Dependant coverage does not automatically renew. You must opt in your eligible dependants again for each new plan year and pay the required premium.
When can I add my spouse, children or dependants to my plan?
The Fall dependant opt-in period is from September 1 to October 10, 2026.
How long will my spouse, children or dependants be covered?
If you add your eligible spouse and/or children during the Fall opt-in period, their coverage will be valid from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, once their enrolment has been successfully completed and processed.
Dependant coverage does not renew automatically. You must enrol your dependants again for each new plan year.
How much does it cost to add dependants?
For a full-time student whose own coverage has already been paid through their student account:
| Coverage | Spouse or one child | Two or more dependants |
|---|---|---|
| Health only | $286.08 | $591.00 |
| Dental only | $170.04 | $436.44 |
| Health & Dental | $456.12 | $1,027.44 |
These are the 12-month Fall rates for a full-time student and are additional to the student’s own coverage.
Part-time and co-op students
What are the Fall rates for part-time and co-op students?
| Coverage | Student only | Student and spouse/child | Student and two or more dependants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health only | $306.48 | $592.56 | $897.48 |
| Dental only | $173.04 | $343.08 | $609.48 |
| Health & Dental | $479.52 | $935.64 | $1,506.96 |
These are the 12-month Fall rates and include the student’s own coverage.
Winter enrolment
I am starting or registering for my studies in Winter 2027. Can I opt in?
Yes. Eligible graduate students who begin or register for their studies in Winter 2027 and were not covered through the Fall enrolment process may opt into the GSA Health & Dental Plan during the Winter enrolment period:
January 4 to February 7, 2027.
Winter coverage is for eight months.
What are the Winter opt-in rates?
| Coverage | Student only | Student and one dependant | Student and two or more dependants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health only | $204.32 | $395.04 | $598.32 |
| Dental only | $115.36 | $228.72 | $406.32 |
| Health & Dental | $319.68 | $623.76 | $1,004.64 |
I am starting my studies in Winter. Do I need to opt out?
No. Students who start in the Winter term are not automatically enrolled in the GSA Health & Dental Plan. If you do not want the Plan, you do not need to submit an opt-out request.
If you would like coverage and are eligible, you can choose to opt in during the Winter enrolment period.
I am starting or registering for my studies in Winter 2027. Can I enrol my spouse or child?
Yes. If you are eligible to opt into the GSA Health & Dental Plan for Winter, you can also enrol your eligible spouse and/or children as dependants during the Winter enrolment period.
The applicable dependant premium must be paid in addition to completing the enrolment.
I was enrolled in the Fall but did not opt out. Can I opt out in Winter?
No. The opt-out period takes place in the Fall. If you were enrolled in Fall 2026 and did not opt out by the Fall deadline, you cannot opt out during the Winter term.
Your existing coverage continues until August 31, 2027.
I opted out in the Fall. Can I opt back in during Winter?
Generally, no. An approved Fall opt-out applies to the plan year.
An exception may apply if you have a valid change in circumstances and have lost the alternative coverage you used to opt out, such as losing coverage through an employer, parent or spouse.
If your circumstances have changed, contact the GSA for next steps.
I was already enrolled in the Fall. Can I add a dependant in Winter?
Generally, no. Exceptions may apply when there has been a qualifying change in circumstances, such as:
- the birth or adoption of a new child; or
- an eligible dependant who was outside Canada and has now returned.
Contact the GSA if your circumstances have changed so the appropriate process can be confirmed.
I was enrolled in the Fall. Do I need to enrol again for Winter?
No. If you were enrolled through the Fall 2026 process, your coverage continues until August 31, 2027. You do not need to enrol again or pay another premium for the Winter term.
Benefits and claims
What does the GSA Health & Dental Plan cover?
The Plan includes benefits for areas such as prescription drugs, health services, professional practitioners, vision, dental, travel, AD&D, and mental health programs and services.
Specific benefits are subject to the applicable Plan terms, maximums, co-payments, limitations and exclusions. For detailed and current information, consult the GreenShield Carleton GSA Student Centre.
How do I submit a claim?
Once your enrolment is active, register for GreenShield+. GreenShield’s online member services allow you to submit claims, access your benefit booklet, search for benefit providers and check drug eligibility.
Claims can also be submitted through the GreenShield+ mobile service after the inactive period ends. Some healthcare providers may offer direct billing to GreenShield.
I already have another health and dental plan. Do I have to opt out of the GSA Plan?
No. Having another insurance plan does not mean you are required to opt out of the GSA Plan. You may choose to maintain both plans and, where permitted, coordinate benefits between them.
Contact GreenShield and your other insurance provider for information about how coordination of benefits applies to your specific coverage.
UHIP and international students
Is UHIP the same as the GSA Health & Dental Plan?
No. UHIP is separate from the GSA Health & Dental Plan. Questions concerning UHIP enrolment, charges, dependant adjustments or UHIP opt-outs should be directed to the appropriate Carleton/UHIP office.
I am an international student. Am I enrolled in the GSA Health & Dental Plan?
Full-time international graduate students who meet the Fall enrolment requirements are automatically enrolled in the GSA Health & Dental Plan in the same manner as other eligible full-time graduate students.
Eligible spouses and dependent children are not automatically included and must be added during the applicable opt-in period.
Still need help?
Eligibility and plan administration
For eligibility, enrolment, opt-in, opt-out, dependants, rates or the Third-Party Administrator process, contact the GSA.
Benefits and claims
For benefits, claims, providers, prescription drug eligibility or benefit limits, consult GreenShield.
Student-account charges and refunds
Contact Carleton University Student Accounts.
Documents and useful links
Access current plan documents, enrollment tools and GreenShield services.
Health and Dental Plan brochure
Review the current benefit summary, coverage limits and eligibility information.
Open the plan brochure → PDF · Step-by-step guideStudent Benefits Portal Guide
Instructions for account registration, opt-in, adding dependants, payment and opt-out.
Open the portal guide → Enrollment websiteStudent Benefits Portal
Manage eligible opt-in, dependant enrollment and opt-out activities.
Open the Student Benefits Portal → Claims and coverageGreenShield Student Centre
Access GreenShield+, claims information, coverage details and support.
Open GreenShield services →Plan-year materials: 2026–27. Content last reviewed: .