Eligibility of Dependents

Spouses

Your spouse is eligible as your dependent if they are your spouse by marriage or under any other formal union recognized by law, or your partner of the opposite sex or the same sex who is publicly represented as your spouse. You can only cover one spouse at a time. You can add your spouse as a dependant to your benefits coverage of the UBC Medical Services Plan, Extended Health and Dental Care benefits, and Employee and Family Assistance Program.

Parents

Your parents are considered your dependents only if they a) live with you and b) are financially dependent on you. Dependent parents are eligible for the Employee and Family Assistance Program only. You cannot add your dependant parents to your UBC Medical Services Plan, Extended Health or Dental benefits coverage.

Dependent Children

You may cover your dependent children under your UBC Medical Services Plan, Extended Health and Dental Care benefits, and Employee and Family Assistance Program.

What is the definition of  “dependent children”?

• Your children, your spouse’s children (other than foster children), or children for whom you or your spouse is the primary caregiver and granted custody and control, if they are not married or in any other formal union recognized by law, and are under the age of 19.
• Your children, your spouse’s children (other than foster children), or children for whom you or your spouse is the primary caregiver and granted custody and control, if they are full-time students attending an educational institution recognized under the Income Tax Act (Canada), and are entirely dependent on you for financial support, up to the age of 25 (see Student Status below).
• Your children, your spouse’s children (other than foster children), or children for whom you or your spouse is the primary caregiver and granted custody and control, if they become incapable of financial self-support because of a physical or mental disability. There is no age limit as long as your child is diagnosed with a disability before age 25, entirely dependent on you for financial support, and not married or in any other formal union recognized by law (see Disability Status below).  Once your child is over the age of 25, they are no longer eligible for dependent coverage under your UBC group MSP coverage. MSP will set up your child with an individual account.

For children for whom you or your spouse is the primary caregiver and granted custody and control – a legal document supporting this arrangement is required along with the enrolment or change form to add the child to your coverage.

Student Status for dependent children requires an annual confirmation. Disability Status for dependent children requires a one-time confirmation.

Student Status Annual Confirmation Process

UBC Financial Services – Payroll will ask you to confirm your dependent’s student status each year, until they turn 25.  The letter will be sent during the month of your child’s birthday, and you will be asked to confirm their student status for the upcoming year. For example, if your child is turning 19 on June 7^th, you will be sent a letter in June asking you to confirm his/her student status for the upcoming year.

It is important that you respond to this letter quickly, so that the coverage for your dependent is continuous; otherwise, coverage for your dependent will automatically end.  If you have not received the Health Benefits Dependent Confirmation form, please contact your Benefits Representative in Payroll for assistance:

UBC Vancouver

• Last name beginning A-L: (604) 827-3212
• Last name beginning M-Z: (604) 822-8701

UBC Okanagan

• (250) 807-8625
  

Disability Status Confirmation Process

In order to ensure continuous coverage for your child, please contact UBC Financial Services – Payroll to request the Sun Life Disabled Child Coverage form shortly before your child turns 19 if they will not be attending an educational institution, or 25 if they will be attending an educational institution.  Your UBC Benefits Representative in Payroll will complete the employer section of the form first before sending to you.  You will then be asked to complete the rest of the form, along with input from your child’s attending physician.  The completed form should be sent directly to Sun Life. Sun Life will review the information and advise you and UBC of their decision on whether to continue coverage.