Health Care Spending Account & Claims Submission Requirements
Upcoming Submission Deadline!
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you to submit your 2013 claims to your Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) by March 31, 2014.
2013 claims must be received by Great-West Life prior to March 31st, 2014 to be claimed against your 2013 HCSA dollars. Any unused 2013 benefit dollars remaining after this period will be forfeited.
The HCSA can be used to cover a range of benefits not normally covered under other types of group benefits plans or by provincial medical plans.
What are covered expenses?
You are covered for 100% of eligible expenses that you incur while you and your dependents are covered, up to the total amount of dollars in your HCSA.
The Income Tax Act governs the types of expenses that can be reimbursed under the HCSA. This includes medical or dental services provided by a:
- Licensed medical practitioner;
- Dentist; or
- Public or licensed private hospital.
Please visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca and search on medical expenses for a complete list.
On January 1st, 2014, your HCSA refreshed based on the Flex Option you have chosen and part-time/full-time status where applicable. Please visit www.greatwestlife.com to review your claims history and obtain your HCSA statement including balance.
Under the HCSA, you can carry forward claims up to 12 months from the date of service. This means if you had more 2013 expenses than you had 2013 HCSA dollars, you can carry forward those claims for reimbursement against your 2014 HCSA balance.
For example, under Flex Option 5:
Updated Claim Submission Requirements
Great-West Life has updated their claims submission requirements for compression hose and orthopedic shoes. There has been no change to the coverage provided under the Red River College plan. The change in requirements is common among insurance carriers to ensure coverage is provided for valid expenses.
What are the claim requirements for compression hose?
Benefits will be adjudicated according to the compression factor of the hose. When submitting a claim, you are required to provide the following information:
- Medical Diagnosis – a prescription from your doctor that includes the specific medical diagnosis. A description of symptoms is not sufficient documentation.
- Make/Model of Hose – ensure there is a make and model number of the compression hose you have been supplied with on your receipt
Please refer to your Benefits Booklet to determine your eligibility and benefit limits.
What are the claim requirements for orthopedic shoes?
When submitting a claim, you are required to provide the following information:
- Prescription Requirement – the prescription must set out the medical diagnosis necessitating the orthopedic shoes. Prescriptions outlining symptoms rather than a medical diagnosis will not be sufficient.
- Casting Technique – details of technique utilized, description of the process and the materials used to fabricate the shoes when claim is for custom-made orthopedic shoes.
- Brand/Model – details of brand name, model of shoes, description of each modifcation made to shoes (if applicable) and a breakdown of the costs of the shoes and each modification when the claim is for custom-fitted or pre-fabricated (off-the-shelf) orthopedic shoes.
Please refer to your Benefits Booklet to determine your eligibility and benefit limits.
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