Health insurance for international students

1. Check your student fees
   After you register for classes, check your fees by logging in to your Student Services Centre (SSC) and selecting “Financial Summary” under Finances. Confirm you are charged for iMED coverage (see section below) and AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan fees. If you are charged, you are enrolled for your program’s coverage dates. If you do not see the iMED fee listed in your financial summary, contact International Student Advising.

2. Download and print your iMED card
   After you register for your first course, your iMED card will automatically be sent to you via email by David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS). Print it and keep it with you along with a copy of your study permit.
3. Check your iMED coverage dates
   If the start date on your iMED Card is not the calendar month of your arrival in Canada, follow the instructions to change your iMED coverage dates.
4. Apply for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (BC MSP)
   As soon as you arrive in British Columbia, apply for MSP online for yourself and any family members who came with you.
5. Extend your MSP, if required
   Each time you extend your study permit or get the Post-Graduation Work Permit, you will need to extend your MSP online to maintain coverage in British Columbia.

iMED coverage period

iMED covers your first 3 months in Canada. iMED coverage should start from the month you arrive in BC plus the next 2 calendar months to cover the 3-month BC MSP waiting period, or cover the full duration of your program of studies if you are a one-term exchange student or a Visiting International Research Student (VIRS) student.

Your coverage dates depend on when you start your program:

• Winter Term 1 (September to December): your coverage will start on August 1
• Winter Term 2 (January to April): your coverage will start on December 1
• Summer Term 1 (May to June): your coverage will start on April 1
• Summer Term 2 (July to August): your coverage will start on June 1

If you are a one-term exchange student or a VIRS student, you will have iMED for the full duration of your program of studies. Check your coverage dates and consider purchasing additional coverage if you are arriving early.

If the start date on your iMED card is not the calendar month of your arrival in Canada, follow the instructions to change your coverage dates.

Eligibility and enrolment

You are automatically enrolled in iMED as a new-to-UBC international student when you register for classes. If you are charged iMED fees, you are enrolled for your program’s coverage dates. If you think you should be covered for iMED but do not see the fees on your Student Service Centre (SSC) account, contact International Student Advising. 

If you are a returning UBC student, you are not eligible for iMED and can purchase other private insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.

Your iMED card will be automatically emailed to you by David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) after you register for your first course. During your coverage dates, print your iMED card and keep it with you in case you need medical attention, along with your student ID and copy of your study permit (if you have one). Consider saving a digital copy on your phone as well.

If you did not receive your iMED card by the start of the iMED coverage period, check your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you did not receive it, then email DCIS at imed@david-cummings.com. In your email, write “Missing iMED card” as the subject line, and in the message you must include your name, student number, and date of arrival in BC.

If you have family members, you are responsible for adding them to iMED.

If you already have MSP or another Canadian provincial or territorial health plan, if your studies are being funded by a third- party organization, or if you will complete your entire program of studies online while being physically outside of Canada, you might be eligible to opt out of iMED.

More about iMED

Coverage period

There is a 3-month waiting period to be eligible for MSP, starting with the balance of your month of arrival in BC, plus the next 2 calendar months. 

As long as you apply upon your arrival in BC, you should be covered from the first day of your 4th 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 online to maintain coverage. If you applied for a new study or work permit but you haven’t received it yet, ensure you request temporary coverage while on maintained status.

Eligibility and how to apply

You must apply for MSP online 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.

You should register for the BC Fair PharmaCare Plan, which might provide additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. PharmaCare registration may be required for prescription coverage through the AMS/GSS Health and Dental plan. As of October 2022, you can register for BC Fair PharmaCare plan at the same time you apply for MSP. It is also possible to register for Fair PharmaCare separately.

If you will be in BC for 6 months or less, you are not eligible to apply for MSP coverage.

More about MSP

Coverage period

• If you start your studies at UBC in Winter Term 1, you’re covered by the plan for 1 year from September 1 to August 31
• If you start your studies at UBC in Winter Term 2, you’re covered by the plan for 8 months from January 1 to August 31
• If you start your studies at UBC in the Summer Session: you are not automatically enrolled, but you may be eligible to self-enrol during the change of coverage period.

Eligibility and enrolment

All AMS and GSS members are automatically enrolled, including full-time and part-time students, international students, and those auditing a course. Certain exceptions exist so check your Student Services Centre (SSC) account in the “Financial Summary” under Finances 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 StudentCare Centre.

Download and print your Pay Direct Card which allows your claim to be processed immediately when you fill a prescription.

If you have questions about coverage outside of Canada or documentation to opt out, contact the StudentCare Centre.

If you have family members, you are responsible for adding them to AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan.

If you are not automatically enrolled but wish to enrol, be sure to opt into the plan during the change-of-coverage period.  If you wish to opt into the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan, you must opt into all other AMS fees.

If you have a separate extended health insurance plan which is equivalent to the coverage provided by the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan, you may be eligible to opt out of the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. The BC MSP coverage is not equivalent to the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan.

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