Unless specifically stated otherwise, the following definitions will apply throughout this website.
Allowed Amount
Allowed amount means, as determined by Green Shield:
- a) Drugs – the Green Shield National Pricing Policy and/or the reasonable and customary charge;
- b) Extended Health Services – the reasonable and customary charge for the service or supply but not more than the prevailing charge in the area in which the charge is made for a like service or supply;
- c) Dental – the fee guide as specified in the Schedule of Benefits.
Benefit Year
Benefit year means the 12 consecutive months July 1st to June 30th of each year.
Biologic drug
Biologic drug means a drug that is produced using living cells or microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) and are often manufactured using a specific process known as DNA technology.
Biosimilar drug
Biosimilar drug means a biologic drug demonstrated to be similar to a reference biologic drug already authorized for sale by Health Canada.
Calendar Year
Calendar year means the 12 consecutive months January 1st to December 31st of each year.
Co-Pay
Co-pay is the allowed amount that must be paid by you or your dependent before reimbursement of an expense will be made.
Covered Person
Covered person means the plan member who has been enrolled in the plan or his or her enrolled dependents.
Custom made Boots or Shoes
Custom made boots or shoes means footwear used by an individual whose condition cannot be accommodated by existing footwear products. The fabrication of the footwear involves making a unique cast of the covered person’s feet and the use of 100% raw materials. (This footwear is used to accommodate the bony and structural abnormalities of the feet and lower legs resulting from trauma, disease or congenital deformities).
Custom made Foot Orthotics
Custom made foot orthotics means a device made from a 3-dimensional model of an individual’s foot and made from raw materials. (These devices are used to relieve foot pain related to biomechanical misalignment to the feet and lower limbs.)
Deductible
Deductible is the amount that must be paid by or on behalf of you and your dependent in any year, based on first paid claim, before reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made.
Dependent
Dependent means
- a) your spouse, if you are legally married or if not legally married, you have lived in a common-law relationship for more than 12 continuous months. Only one spouse will be considered at any time as being covered under the group contract;
- b) your unmarried child under age 21;
- c) your unmarried child under age 25, if enrolled and in full-time attendance at an accredited college, university or educational institute;
- d) your unmarried child (regardless of age) who became totally disabled while eligible under b) or c) above, and has been continuously so disabled since that time and is considered a dependent as defined under the Income Tax Act, also qualify as a dependent.
Your child (your or your spouse’s natural, legally adopted or stepchildren) must reside with you in a parent-child relationship or be dependent upon you (or both) and not regularly employed.
Children who are in full-time attendance at an accredited school do not have to reside with you or attend school in your province. If the school is in another province, you must apply to your provincial health insurance plan for an extension of coverage to ensure your child continues to be covered under a provincial health insurance plan. (Please note that the limitations of the Travel plan still apply).
Emergency
Emergency means a sudden, unexpected occurrence (disease or injury) that requires immediate medical attention. This includes treatment (non-elective) for immediate relief of severe pain, suffering or disease that cannot be delayed until you or your dependent is medically able to return to your province of residence.
First Paid Claim
First paid claim means the actual date of service of the initial or a prior claim paid by Green Shield.
Injury
Injury means an unexpected or unforeseen event that occurs as a direct result of a violent, sudden and unexpected action from an outside source.
Off-label Use
Off-label use means using a drug for a purpose or to treat a condition other than what Health Canada has approved that drug to be used
Orthopedic Shoes
Orthopedic shoes means off-the-shelf, ready-made footwear prescribed for covered persons diagnosed with a specific medical condition that affects their feet and who require specialized footwear to treat their condition and assist with mobility. The footwear may be modified or adjusted to fit the covered person’s feet.
Plan member
Plan member means you, when you are enrolled for coverage.
Private Room for Hospital Accommodation
Private room for hospital accommodation means a room having only one treatment bed.
Reasonable and Customary
Reasonable and customary means in the opinion of Green Shield, the usual charge of the provider for the service or supply, in the absence of insurance, but not more than the prevailing charge in the area for a like service or supply.
Reference Biologic Drug
Reference biologic drug means a biologic drug that is first authorized for sale by Health Canada.
Rendered Amount
Rendered amount means the amount charged by a provider for a service and submitted for payment of a claim.
Semi-Private Room for Hospital Accommodation
Semi-private room for hospital accommodation means a room having only two treatment beds.
Stock Item Footwear
Stock item footwear means any mass-produced foot care item that is sold over-the-counter and is readily available without any modifications.