If you’re an international student, find out more about the impact of COVID-19 on immigration, health insurance, and more.
All international students are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies at UBC, as health care in Canada can cost thousands of dollars per day if you do not have valid health insurance.
Accompanying family members are also strongly recommended to have basic and extended health insurance.
If you started your program in September 2020 to August 2021 (2020/21 Winter Session to 2021 Summer Session), in order to have health insurance coverage through iMED, you must confirm your arrival date starting from 3 weeks before you travel.
You can also confirm your arrival 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.
If you started your program in September 2021 (2021 Winter Session Term 1) 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 you will arrive the month before or after your coverage starts, you can request to change your coverage dates.
If you’re studying in or outside of Canada, there are support options available to you.
Visit UBCO Health & Wellness to learn more about the health and wellbeing resources available to you.
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.
Learn more about your iMED coverage.
iMED covers your first three months in Canada.
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.
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.
Effective 2020/21 Winter Term 1 (September 1, 2020)
The fees are charged to your Student Service Centre (SSC) account. Fees are subject to change.
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 The Global Engagement Office (GEO).
If you have family members, you are responsible for adding them to iMED.
The British Columbia (BC) Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the BC-government run public health insurance plan.
BC MSP covers doctor visits, hospital visits, and medically required services. See the list of medical services that MSP covers.
You are required to enroll in MSP if you will be in BC for more than 6 months.
There is a 3-month waiting period to be eligible for MSP, starting with the balance of your month of arrival, plus two months.
As long as you apply as soon as you arrive in BC, you will be covered from your fourth month in BC until the expiry of your study permit, unless you leave BC for an extended period.
When you get a new study or work permit, you must extend your MSP to maintain coverage. If you applied for a new study or work permit but you haven’t received it yet, ensure you have coverage while on maintained status.
Effective January 1, 2020, all international students with study permits must pay a $75 health-care coverage fee per month.
If your family is with you in Canada, they will only be assessed the health-care coverage fee if they also hold study permits. If they hold work permits or are here as visitors, they will not be assessed the fee.
These fees are subject to change. Check the MSP website for the most up-to-date information.
You must apply for MSP for yourself and any family members who come with you as soon as you arrive in BC.Processing your MSP application could take several months. Once processed, you will receive your BC Services Card (formerly known as “BC CareCard”) by mail and receive an invoice each month.
If you will be in BC for six months or less, you are not eligible to apply.
Most UBC students are automatically enrolled in the UBCSUO Health and Dental Plan each year. You may also enrol in a similar extended health insurance from another source. Extended health insurance covers fees and services which are not covered by basic health insurance, such as BC MSP.
The UBCSUO Health and Dental Plan covers:
Once you have MSP, you might need to register for the BC Fair PharmaCare Plan to enhance coverage for prescriptions.
The fee is charged to your Student Services Centre (SSC) account.
Fees are subject to change. See the UBCSUO Health and Dental Plan webpage for the most up-to-date costs.
All UBCSUO members are automatically enrolled, including full-time and part-time students, international students, and those auditing a course. Certain exceptions exist so make sure you check your SSC account to ensure you’ve been charged for the fees and will be enrolled.
If you think you should be covered but you are missing the fee, or to confirm your coverage, contact the Care Centre.
UBCSUO Health and Dental Plan benefits are only accessible inside of Canada at this time
If you studied online outside of Canada in 2020/21 Winter Session, check Studentcare’s FAQs to learn about what your options are.
If you have questions about coverage outside of Canada or documentation to opt-out, contact Studentcare.
If you have family members in Canada, you are responsible for adding them to your UBCSUO Health and Dental Plan.
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UBC’s Okanagan campus is situated on the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation
