There is a 25.00 registration fee to join the benefit plans that can be by attached cheque to the application form or etransfer the 25.00 to skretireesinfo@gmail.com. For all new applications, send the membership application form and GMS enrollment form all together. We will contact you if there are any issues.
The Membership Committee collects the mail weekly and processes it quickly. We will mail you a membership card and we submit your GMS enrolment forms to GMS on a weekly basis. GMS processes your SRA Health and Dental Plan enrolment forms quickly. However, GMS only starts new enrollees on the first of each month.
SRA has approved organizational members from the public sector. Our mandate is to serve retired public sector employees. Organizations are approved which then provides for their retired employees to join the SRA.
SRA accepts one of: a letter from your employer, a business card or a pay stub (black out the financial information)
Both the SRA membership application form and GMS enrolment forms should be sent to the SRA as follows:
Scan and email to: skretireesinfo@gmail.com
E-transfer the $25.00 registration fee to skretireesinfo@gmail.com
OR
Mail to:
Saskatchewan Retirees Association
c/o Walter Scott Building
3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 0B1
If you have a concern about a claim, contact the GMS call centre at 1-800-667-3699. If you still need assistance, please contact us either by email or voice mail and we will assist you in resolving concerns you have. Email to: skretireesinfo@gmail.com or leave a voice mail at 306-584-5552. We will endeavour to respond within two business days.
Activation starts for new members on the first of the month of the member’s requested start date. Payments are withdrawn from your account monthly or special request for annual payments.
Yes, you can add a spouse to the plan. Just complete an updated GMS enrolment form, add a spouse/partner to the new enrolment form and send it to us requested with the start date including the spouse/partner information as a family member.
As long as retirees apply for SRA membership and enrol in the SRA Health and Dental Plan within 60 calendar days after their retirement date, their pre-existing conditions are covered by the SRA Health and Dental Plan subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Late applicants (after 60 Days of retirement) will be required to complete a medical questionnaire by the Insurer. The travel benefit is subject to the “stability” provision as outlined in the policy.
GMS will accept only monthly or annual payments if requested by a member. If you want to pay annually, please contact GMS directly to make arrangements.
The SRA has many members who reside in other provinces and territories in Canada. You can relocate in Canada where GMS operates and retain your SRA membership and access to GMS benefits. GMS does not operate in Quebec, New Brunswick or Nunavut due to language expectations and differences in mandated prescription drug coverage.
A surviving spouse can continue as the SRA member and continue to be enrolled in the SRA Health and Dental Plan. The membership can be reassigned to the surviving spouse who would then need to change the GMS status for coverage from couple to single status by completing an updated GMS enrolment form.
The premiums for the SRA Health and Dental Plan are calculated based on: the plan claims experience, trends in the industry and feedback from the membership. The plan review occurs yearly and any changes are effective on July 1st each year.
When joining the SRA, you need to provide a payment to the SRA for the one-time $25.00 registration fee. Payment can be made by either an e-transfer, emailed to skretireesinfo@gmail.com or by cheque, payable to the Saskatchewan Retiree Association, with your membership application. GMS requests a VOID cheque and will contact you about arrangements to activate your pre-authorized payment process.
Pharmacies set their own dispensing fees for prescriptions, so it’s up to you to shop around for a pharmacy that meets your needs. SRA has partnered with Express Scripts Canada to offer our members the best value when filling their prescriptions. Consider registering to take advantage of exclusive member benefits such as:
Get started by visiting express-scripts.ca and selecting “Register”. Your VIP code is “SRA”. You can also download the Express Scripts Canada Pharmacy mobile app and manage your prescriptions from virtually anywhere.
Premium rates for the SRA Health and Dental Plan are posted under “Group Benefits”, click on “Premium Rates” for the current costs.
Diabetic Drugs:
The plan currently covers all forms of diabetic medication approved by Health Canada that are prescribed by your health care provider and that are not over the counter medications. These medications are covered through the $1,700 prescription drug maximum. Drugs for weight loss are not covered.
The Health Plan was adjusted with changes to the diabetic supply benefit effective July 1, 2023. A prior authorization program was implemented for flash/continuous glucose monitors. This will include implementing a maximum for FGM (flash glucose monitors) and CGM (continuous glucose monitors) of $2,500 per individual per year including the transmitters and all sensors.
All traditional supplies (lancets, test strips etc.) will remain at the current unlimited maximum.
Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG) self-monitoring devices (to measure and assess glucose levels) are covered at one per person per five policy years to a maximum of $500. The capillary blood glucose testing devices will require manual submission through GMS’ online claims portal.
All diabetic drugs and supplies will work with the GMS direct pay client card through your pharmacy.
For members that may have joined another approved organizational Retiree Extended Health Plan in the past, you should be aware that you can transfer into the SRA Health Plan and then add Dental coverage.
The SRA accepts transfers from other retiree extended health plans without medical evidence if the transfer is within a 2-year period, or age 70 years, from your original retirement date. Transfers later than the 2-year limit may be accepted with the completion of the GMS medical questionnaire
The enrolment forms are on our website or send us an email to skretireesinfo@gmail.com for more information.
Yes, when you enrol in the SRA Extended Health Plan you can add the Dental option at the same time. You can add the Dental option later without medical evidence but only at the plan renewal date (July 1st). Members can only opt in and opt out of Dental at the renewal date.
GMS does not cover dental procedures that occur outside Canada. The claims are not paid because it is difficult to verify whether the treatment was performed by a licensed professional as well as whether there may be fraud occurring. Also, other countries do not follow the standardized dental codes in place in Canada so its difficult to understand the treatment that occurred and may complete the claims forms in languages other than English.
For SRA members that reach 65 years of age, GMS requires all members to apply to the SK Seniors Drug Plan and file the letter received back about potential coverage levels with GMS. This program may reduce your costs and reduce the costs of prescription drugs to the overall GMS claims experience.
GMS changed their process for approvals for exception drug status (EDS) and the new automated approval system needs prior approval from the government prescription drug program before the drug claim will be processed.
Pharmacies can provide a one-time exception to allow drugs to be approved for a member. However, the pharmacy, doctor or the SRA member will need to apply for EDS status approval. Once SaskHealth approves the drug, the pharmacy will get authorization and claims can again be processed electronically.
Forms to apply for EDS are available from SaskHealth or your pharmacy to assist you in making application for EDS approvals.
Special Support Program – Side A – 2023
GMS Care Network (replacing Homewood Health) has the health and life services that you’ve come to expect in an assistance program, and exciting features. GMS Care Network services are provided by an agreement with Greenshields Canada.
Here’s a quick look at what is offered:
Note: If you are in the middle of getting help, it’s important that you can continue working with the professionals you trust. If you have started a counselling or wellbeing support program with Homewood Health before March 1, 2024, you’ll be able to complete your program with Homewood Health.
Members can suspend coverage under this policy if returning to active employment with an eligible SRA member employer and have not previously suspended coverage.
To reinstate coverage under this policy, Members must reapply:
a) under the same level of coverage in effect when the Member suspended coverage;
b) within two (2) years of the suspension; and
c) within sixty (60) days of losing coverage under the employer’s group benefit plan. Members who do not reapply with sixty (60) days of losing coverage will be subject to medical underwriting.
Members who reinstate coverage under this policy within the same policy year of suspending coverage, will have benefit usage retained and applied against annual maximums until the new policy year.
To activate this provision, please complete the Membership Change Form – return to work located as part of Members – Applications or call 306-584-5552 to discuss your plans.