I am currently having difficulty opting out of Vancouver Island University's health and dental plan. January 5, 2009 is the date in which I started my first semester at this school. Upon registration I was not made aware of an opting out date (Feb 1st) and I did not receive any opting out appeal papers. The first time I was made aware of opting out was March 6th through a third party. I'm already on the provincial medical plan (BC) and two blue cross extended health and dental plans for 100% coverage. I handed in my opting out appeal sheet with documentation of my medical coverage March 9th. On March 10th my VIU account was disabled without notice. After contacting a Students' Union rep. who holds all authority over VIU health and dental plans, I was informed that I was sent letters by the school and that the opting out process is "well advertised". I responded by saying this system appears to look like negative option billing, I was told this is not negative option billing because in 2006 students had voted on this system and agreed to all of the provisions and rules. I have talked many other students at my school who have gone through the same process as me; all of them have had extreme difficulty opting out or ended up paying for the unnecessary health and dental plan. I will be happy for any feedback on how to go about this problem. Thank you.

Shane
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