As everyone knows, health is wealth. Being fit both physically and mentally will go a long way toward your overall well-being.
There’s another incentive to strive for optimal health: your wallet. Indeed, there’s a price to pay for illness or injury:
- your out-of-pocket expenses for health care;
- your payroll deductions for coverage under the Health Plan and the Dental Plan; and
- the income taxes that Québec residents must pay on the premiums that the University pays for coverage.
Some might point out that the last two items in the above list are payable whether you are healthy or not. That’s true, except that the amounts payable will grow as your medical and dental claims grow. As explained in the section How costs are determined under the Health Plan, the premiums that both you and the University pay are based on the claims paid out to employees and pensioners each benefit year. So, how much participants and their families actually use the plan in any given benefit year will determine increases or decreases in benefit premiums at each renewal of the plan.
So, how do you achieve optimal health physically ... and financially? It’s a journey that takes place one day at a time. Are you ready? If so, take a hike ... the Healthy Hike, that is! The trail outlined below guides you through considerations and tips intended to help you and your family—and your wallet—to be healthy.
The Healthy Hike
Whoever said we had to wait until New Year’s to make our annual resolution to be healthier? You decide when—and if—you want to get back into shape.
Here are some tips that may be just the ticket you need to improve your well-being.
Call the Health Assistance line
When you need expert health advice, the Health Assistance line can provide access to valuable information. This confidential telephone service is available 24 hours a day, immediately connecting you and your insured dependents with experienced health care professionals.
Improve your quality of life with information on:
| Health |
Immunization |
| Nutrition |
Lifestyle |
| Physical fitness - Child care |
Local resources |
Health assistance is meant to complement medical consultations and emergency medical services. It is not intended to replace your regular health care provider or emergency medical services.
You can contact Health Assistance at any time:
| If you are calling from ... |
Dial ... |
| Montreal area |
(514) 875-2632 |
| Elsewhere in Canada |
1 877 875-2632 (toll-free) |
Pay yourself first
There’s a golden rule in financial planning that says you should pay yourself first, that is, save before you spend. The same can be said for your health: pay attention to yourself first, before you turn to all the deadlines, errands, commitments and other responsibilities that shape your life.
Eat healthy
Check out Health Canada’s Healthy Food Guide to eating well.
Get regular medical check-ups
No more procrastination. Prevention is indeed the best medicine.
Relax
If you do all of the items listed above, you should be able to overcome stress quite easily. Depending on your eligibility group, the University also provides the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help resolve personal problems. For details, consult Benefits Services.
Kick the smoking habit
Here’s a great example of how kicking a habit can add years to your life … and money in your wallet! If you participate in the Concordia Health Plan, did you know that smoking-cessation drugs are covered up to certain limits?
Next stop? Go straight to Low-Dollar Valley. Or, take a short detour and learn more about your Health Canada’s Healthy Food Guide and Physical Activity Guide.
- Ask the hospital to send the bill for all expenses not covered by your provincial health plan to Desjardins Financial Security, or you can submit the claim yourself.
- Desjardins Financial Security will reimburse the hospital for all eligible expenses, according to the applicable percentage of reimbursement.
- You must pay the hospital directly for all expenses not eligible for reimbursement.
- For all eligible expenses not submitted electronically, keep all receipts for the medical expenses of each covered individual.
- Once the accumulated expenses exceed the deductible, complete a Desjardins Financial Security claim form.
- Complete the form, attach the original receipts, and send everything to Desjardins Financial Security, at the following address:
Desjardins Financial Security
Dental and Health Claims
P.O. Box 3950
Lévis, QC G6V 8C6
Eligible expenses for you and your dependents will be reimbursed directly to you.
