Your Health Care Spending Account, or HCSA, is part of your asrTrust CCI retiree benefits. It gives you extra money each year to help pay for eligible health care costs.
GreenShield manages the HCSA for asrTrust. It is not a bank account. It is a pool of benefit dollars you can use for certain eligible expenses.
How much do I get?
Each January 1, asrTrust adds HCSA credits for CCI members:
- $500 per year if you are covered on your own.
- $1,000 per year if you also have an eligible spouse or dependent children covered under your plan.
These credits can be used for eligible costs for you and, if applicable, your covered spouse or dependants.
What can it pay for?
Your HCSA can help with eligible expenses that your regular plan does not cover, or does not cover in full. HCSA eligibility is based on Canada Revenue Agency rules. You can check the CRA eligible medical expenses page to see what expenses are eligible. If you are not sure, ask GreenShield before you pay or submit a claim.
Common examples include:
- If you buy new glasses and your plan pays only part of the cost, you may be able to use your HCSA to pay some or all of your out of pocket expenses.
- If a massage therapy or chiropractic visit costs more than GreenShield’s reasonable and customary amount, you may be able to use your HCSA to help pay the eligible amount left over.
- If you need more physiotherapy, massage therapy, or chiropractic care after reaching your plan maximum, your HCSA may help pay for additional eligible visits.
Note: Over-the-counter medicine or supplements bought without a prescription are generally not eligible for payment from the HCSA.
How do I use it?
You can submit HCSA claims to GreenShield online at greenshield.ca, through the GreenShield app, or by mail. You can also turn on automatic coordination in your GreenShield account so eligible unpaid amounts may be paid from your HCSA after your regular plan pays its share.
Can I save unused money?
Yes. Unused HCSA credits carry forward for one extra year.
For example, unused 2026 credits must be used by December 31, 2027. After that, they expire.
When do I send in claims?
HCSA claims should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than 12 months after the date of the expense.
Check your balance
Check your HCSA balance before year-end at greenshield.ca, on the GreenShield app, or by calling GreenShield.
If you have questions about your HCSA, contact GreenShield for help at 1-877-266-5494.
