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The importance of insurance to the average Canadian’s finances can’t be overstated. For students in Canada, this stance is critical. If you get hurt or unwell, your student health insurance provider will foot the bill for the majority of your medical costs.

Different health insurance plans for students in Canada have varying operations. For example, the average college student in Canada can access insurance plans with varying prices, eligibility, and coverage limits.

This blog is your comprehensive answer to how to get health insurance in Canada. Here, we’ll highlight different insurance plans and the best one for students looking to access quality healthcare via their insurance plans.

Why Should You Get Student Health Insurance?

While in college as a resident or international student, it’s prudent to make sure that all of your essential expenditures are covered. One of these essentials is the availability of health insurance.

Your financial institution will likely propose it even when you have zero student health insurance considerations. In fact, colleges and universities frequently require a student’s evidence of health insurance before considering your admission application.

Other reasons why student health insurance is a good idea:

Insufficient Health Care Coverage Provided by the Government

Sometimes, resident and international students are usually not eligible for government-sponsored health care. Or the care provided may not be enough.

Reduced Costs of Medical Care

There’s a portion of your medical expenses that you’ll be responsible for, even if you have health insurance. Now imagine you don’t have it at all. Student health insurance can significantly lower your medical bills even when it doesn’t cover everything.

Discounted by a Medical Professional

If you don’t have health insurance, you may be forced to pay a hefty cost for a doctor’s visit. However, all major insurance companies have deals with doctors that allow you to get generous discounts.

Related Article: Is Health Insurance Included in College Tuition in Canada?

Types of Insurance Plans for Students in Canada

In Canada, the provinces each have their health insurance system. Students of a specific province’s health insurance plan receive a member card that’s exclusively valid in that area.

If you’re an international student, you may need to wait up to three months before you’re eligible for student health insurance in Canada. But, it’s advisable to apply for it in advance.

The following are the types of health insurance you’ll find in Canada:

Public

Public health insurance covers the usual range of medical services, including access to primary care physicians and hospitals. However, provinces with a more comprehensive health care package will include dental coverage, physiotherapy, and prescription drugs.

However, please note that health insurance companies aren’t required to offer services that aren’t mentioned in the Canada Health Act, except there are policy changes.

The following are services/items that have no coverage under public student health insurance plans:

• Prescription drugs
• Optometrists
• Eye and dental care

Private

While public health insurance is very popular, you can also get private student health insurance separately. Although it’s more expensive, it often comes with a broader range of benefits like dental and vision treatment at some of Ontario’s top healthcare providers.

Unlike in public hospitals, where waiting lists are prevalent for complex health services like surgery, private healthcare insurance saves you all the hassle. Also, private student health insurance plans come with increased coverage — up to 80% of any medical bills.

International Students’ Health Insurance in Canada

You need health insurance if you’re an international student in Canada. And the University you select to attend will usually help you navigate the processes.

How to Get Health Insurance in Canada

Students have a wide range of alternatives. If you’re a resident student in Canada, you qualify for public healthcare insurance services in Ontario.

International students are not eligible for public healthcare insurance programs in Ontario. But international students can qualify for public health insurance in Alberta.

The following examples show how students can get health insurance coverage in different Canadian provinces.

Alberta

Resident college students in Alberta are eligible for government-subsidized health insurance. Also, international students can apply too.

To apply, students must:

• Submit a valid identity or study permit from IRCC for at least 12 months.
• Confirm that they live in Alberta to be eligible for the programme.
• Apply for coverage within three months of establishing residency in Alberta.

British Columbia

The BC Medical Services Plan is available to all students. But international students need to be enrolled in a programme of at least six months in British Columbia.

To apply, students must:

• Submit application. International students may need to attach a SIN (Social Insurance Number), as well as study permission.
• Students can visit Health Insurance in British Columbia for additional information.

Manitoba

Health insurance is only available to resident students here. In other words, international students in Manitoba have no access to public health insurance.

However, international students can opt for private health insurance providers. Also, resident students who want more comprehensive coverage can check in with some of the best health insurance providers.

To apply, students must:

• Fill out the Manitoba Health Registration Form.
• Provide the number of your former province/health territory’s card.

• Provide a copy of a Canadian passport, a Canadian birth certificate, a Canadian citizenship card.

Ontario

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan covers only resident students. It doesn’t protect international students in Ontario. As a result, all of Ontario’s higher education institutions provide international students access to health insurance policies.

UHIP is one of the most common health insurance plans offered by public universities. But private schools and other institutions may provide a variety of alternatives from different insurance companies.

To be eligible for Ontario Health Insurance Plan coverage, you must submit an application in person at a ServiceOntario center.

There are a few things that you need to bring along:

• Finished work on Ontario’s Health Insurance Benefits Registration Form
• one original document demonstrating your Canadian citizenship or OHIP eligibility
• proof of your identification in the form of an authentic document

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for Students in Canada?

Costs for student health insurance may vary from area to area. They may also differ from one insurance company to the next. However, the average annual cost of health insurance coverage is typically between $700 and $1000.

Related Article: Is UHIP a Government Health Plan?

Final Thoughts

Studying in Canada necessitates a student health insurance plan. Health insurance is not only an extra layer of security for you.  But, it also cuts any spending you must do during health emergencies.

Here at BCML, we accept insurance payments and deliver top-quality healthcare treatments in return. Contact 416-929-1900 to book an appointment and discuss insurance payment plans.

If you are an international student who plans to study in Canada, there are some important things to understand about healthcare coverage. First, healthcare coverage is required when studying or working in Canada. However, there are programs available that make healthcare for international students affordable and easy to access so this should not be a deterrent.

Secondly, there is a national health insurance plan that automatically covers all citizens. This is known as Canadian Medicare and it provides basic insurance and protection when traveling within Canada. Each province also has its own health insurance plan.

As an international student, you will not be eligible for either the national or provincial plans but there are equivalent options available. Most notably, the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

Here we will look at the health insurance you can expect to have as an international student or university worker.

What Health Insurance do International Students Qualify for in Canada?

Public Universities

Health insurance is not directly included as part of your tuition, however; most public universities participate in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). The notable exception to this is the University of Windsor.

University of Windsor

The University of Windsor is the only public university to not participate in UHIP. Instead, they support Green Shield which provides similar coverage to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, the plan used by Ontario Citizens.

Private Universities

Private universities have other healthcare plan options available that are different from UHIP, typically through a third party private insurance company. Rates

Supplemental Insurance

UHIP, Green Shield, and other basic plans cover a wide range of services but they do not cover everything. Most notably, prescription drugs are not covered under these plans in most cases. The primary exception is for prescriptions administered during a hospital stay.

To offset the cost of uncovered medical fees, supplemental insurance can be purchased for such things as prescription drugs, dental care, and eye care.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Canada?

Health insurance coverage is mandatory and it is required that you are covered upon your first day of arrival. Due to this, it is critical that you consult with your intended university about enrollment dates and requirements.

Can You Opt Out of Health Insurance Coverage?

There are a few limited exceptions where you may be able to opt out of UHIP. Generally, you will be required to provide proof that you have equivalent coverage from an employer, a parent’s employer, or from your home country.

If you believe you are exempt from Canadian coverage, you will need to submit an application to have UHIP fees waived. Typically, this must be done at least 45-days prior to the start of your UHIP eligibility.

Is UHIP Free?

UHIP is not free but costs are intentionally kept low in order to work with most students’ budgets. Currently, UHIP monthly charges are $63/per person. You can also add additional family members for $63/each. Please, keep in mind that these rates can change.

Why Are There Fees for UHIP?

It is a common misconception that Canadian health care is completely free. While there are national and provincial plans that cover all citizens, these are funded by taxes. These taxes are paid largely by the citizens who benefit from this coverage.

This system allows for the expense to be spread across all citizens and ensures even persons who are unable to pay directly, will still have access to basic care. Similarly, this is why plans for international students require a monthly fee as this money goes to support those programs.

Where Should I Go for Healthcare in Canada?

As a student studying in a new country, it can be daunting to navigate the healthcare system along with everything else you must manage. In particular, you may have difficulty finding a primary care physician to prescribe your regular medications or to help you with common illnesses such as strep throat or a sinus infection.

In  these cases, two of the best resources you can look to are walk-in clinics and urgent care facilities. These care options do not require an appointment and can handle most non-emergency health concerns including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, prescription refills, minor burns, sprains and more.

Emergency rooms are the next best option but should be reserved for when there is a true emergency such as a broken limb, chest pains, major accidents, and other life-threatening situations.

Find a Walk-In Clinic in Toronto

Walk-in clinics provide a wide range of non-emergency medical care. There are no appointments required, wait-times are typically short, and most services will be covered under your insurance plan.

At Bay College Medical & Lockwood Diagnostic, our walk-in clinic offers medical services including dental care, physiotherapy, vaccinations, and diagnostics. To learn more, contact us at 416-929-1900.