Unit 3 Benefits

The Unit 3 HCSA allows Sessional Lecturers and hourly-paid sessionals with at least 34 hours of work to be reimbursed for eligible medical expenses.

Effective upon ratification of the new Collective Agreement, hourly employees receive $500 for their first 34 hours of work and $350 for each additional 100 hours of work, to a maximum of $1,900 per plan year. Sessional Lecturers receive $500 for their first 1/6 FCE and $350 for each additional 0.5 FCE of work, to the same maximum of $1,900 per plan year. This information can be found on page 5 of the Memorandum of Agreement 2021-4, that amends and renews the expired Collective Agreement, 2017-21.

In order to begin using your HCSA, members of CUPE 3902 (Unit 3) must enroll by completing the Green Shield enrollment form. Enrollment must be completed during the plan year (Sept-Aug) in order to submit claims. Enrollment forms received after August 31 may not be honoured by the employer.

A Human Resources guide to completing the HCSA enrolment form is available online.  Bring or send the completed enrollment form NOT to Greenshield, but to the U of T Benefits Administration Office, at 215 Huron St, 8th floor (Toronto, M5S 1A2).

After you send your completed and signed form to the Benefits Administration Office, you should receive your subscriber card from Green Shield in the mail in about 6 weeks. Once you have received your card, you can start submitting claims to your HCSA.

Eligible expenses are those that qualify as a medical expense tax credit under the Income Tax Act, including prescription eyeglasses, dental expenses, medical devices and supplies, prescription drugs, and services of paramedical practitioners.  Claim forms can be found online.

Reimbursement from your HCSA is not taxable under current Income Tax Act rules. However, once you receive reimbursement for an eligible expense under your HCSA, you cannot also claim this expense as a medical expense tax credit on your tax return.

If you are already enrolled in a University of Toronto benefit plan, you are entitled to continue in that plan. In this case, you are NOT also allowed to participate in the Health Care Spending Account plan. Please check with your Department to ensure that your enrollment in the benefit plan is being continued.

HCSA Allowable Expenses – this form, created by Green Shield Canada, lists items/services that may (or may not) be charged to a HCSA, and under what circumstances certain expenses will be covered.