HealthCare Spending Account (HCSA)
The Healthcare Spending Account allows you to claim reimbursement of medical and dental expenses that are not covered by another insurer. To be eligible, you must have retired after 30 April 2002. Retirees with less than ten years of service are also eligible provided they retired after December 1st, 2018.
The maximum amount that can be claimed each year is $350 (as at January 1, 2024). The credit is received on January 1 and can only be used for expenses incurred that same year or the following year. Unused credits disappear two years after they are awarded. The healthcare spending account can be used for any medical expense recognized as such by Revenue Canada, including any medical care, dental care, eye care, medication, physiotherapy, etc. If you have a private health insurance plan, your annual premium is also an eligible expense under the HCSA.
Here's how to register on the Canada Life website and submit claims:
Go to welcome.canadalife.com/uottawa There you can consult the "Welcome package" which explains the steps to follow to register for online services and submit expenses (forms are included at the end), as well as "FAQ" which explain what you need to know about the plan.
There are two steps to follow:
1. Subscribe to GroupNet (first time only)
2. Log in to submit a claim
Step 1. Register for GroupNet
Select the red box "GroupNet for plan members", "Register" and then "Guarantees" and enter the following information:
- Plan number: 177714
- Participant ID number: This is your previous employee number preceded by 100 or 1000 to make a total of 9 digits. (For example, employee number 65222 becomes 100065222.)
- Enter your usual email address and create a password.
- You will need to enter personal information such as your date of birth.
- At this stage, you can opt to receive your refunds by direct deposit into your bank account; if this is your choice, you must provide your banking information.
Step 2. Log in to submit a claim
You have the choice of submitting your claims online or submitting them by mail.
To submit them online, you must upload the receipts.
If you prefer to submit your claims by mail, the forms can be found in fillable PDF format at the links below and you must include the original receipts. Remember that the "Plan Name" is uOttawa and the "Plan Number" is 177714, then check which Account to use in the box at the top of the form.
- Healthcare expenses - Dentalcare expenses
If you do not subscribe to the Healthcare Plan, be sure to check thje box "From Healthcare Spending Account Only" to obtain your reimbursements for the credits allocated to you every year, $300 per year. This amount has been increased to $350 as of January 1, 2024. In addition, if you have not fully used your credit of the previous year, the balance will be added to the credit for the current year.
For any questions, contact Canada Life at 1 833 794-0225
ATS line: 1 800 990-6654 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
You can also send an email to bas@canadalife.com