Basic health insurance during your first 3 months in Canada
iMED program
iMED is temporary private health insurance to cover you while you are waiting to be eligible for MSP, as MSP has a three-month waiting period. The provider is David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) in Vancouver.
If you are a one-term exchange or a VIRS student, you will have iMED for the duration of your studies.
If you already have MSP or another Canadian provincial or territorial health plan, or your studies are being funded by a third party organization, you could qualify to opt out of iMED.
What iMED covers
- Doctor visits (for injuries or illnesses)
- Hospital visits
- Diagnostic, x-ray, and laboratory services
- Ambulance services
- Maternity coverage
- pre-existing conditions (special requirements apply)
Learn more about your iMED coverage.
iMED coverage period
iMED covers your first three months in Canada.
STUDENTS WHO STARTED THEIR PROGRAM IN WINTER SESSION 2021 TO SUMMER SESSION 2021 (SEPTEMBER 2020 TO AUGUST 2021) – CONFIRM YOUR ARRIVAL DATE
After you register for classes, if your program started between September 2020 and August 2021, you would have received an email from David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) requesting confirmation of your arrival to Canada. You must confirm when you will travel with DCIS starting from 3 weeks before you travel so that your coverage period will start when you arrive in Canada. You can also confirm your arrival date with DCIS up to 3 weeks after you’ve arrived in Canada by providing your scanned flight tickets, boarding pass(es), study permit, passport stamp, or landing documents.
STUDENTS STARTING THEIR PROGRAM IN WINTER SESSION 2021 (SEPTEMBER 2021 – APRIL 2022) OR LATER
You don’t need to confirm your arrival date with DCIS. You will automatically receive your iMED card by email.
If you are beginning studies in 2021 Winter Term 1 (September to December, 2021), your coverage will automatically start on August 1, 2021. You can apply to change your coverage dates if you will arrive in September or later.
One-term exchange students starting in Winter Term 1 will be covered as of August 30, 2021, and coverage dates cannot changed. If you are arriving before August 30 we strongly recommend that you purchase advanced coverage.
If your program starts in 2021/22 Winter Term 1 (September to December 2021), your coverage will start on August 1, 2021.
If your program starts in 2021/22 Winter Term 2 (January to April 2022), your coverage will start on December 1, 2021.
If you are a one-term exchange student or a VIRS student, you will have iMED for the duration of your studies.
If you do not receive your card, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS).
Confirm that the iMED coverage period on your iMED card is correct. iMED coverage should start from the month you arrive in BC plus two months to cover the BC MSP waiting period, or cover the full duration of your program of studies if you are a one-term exchange student or VIRS student.
If you will arrive the month before or after your coverage starts, you can request to change your coverage dates.
iMED fees
Effective 2020/21 Winter Term 1 (September 1, 2020)
- $225 for three months, or
- $315 for one-term exchange students;
The fees are charged to your Student Service Centre (SSC) account. Fees are subject to change.
Eligibility and how to enroll
You are automatically enrolled in iMED as a new-to-UBC international student when you register for classes. Check the “Financial Summary” in your Student Service Centre (SSC account) to make sure you were charged for the fee and will be enrolled.
If you are a returning UBC student, you are not eligible for iMED and can purchase private insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
If you think you should be covered for iMED but do not see the fees on your account, contact .
If you have family members, you are responsible for adding them to iMED.
More about iMED
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