International Students

International Student Handbook

Health insurance & health care

Health insurance

I'm young and healthy; do I really need insurance?

Yes! UBC requires that all international students have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies. If your family members are with you in Canada, they should also have insurance for the duration of their stay.

The costs of hospital and doctor care in Canada are extremely high if you are not insured. Without insurance, you may have to pay thousands of dollars per day for a hospital stay or you may be refused certain services.

Health insurance: an overview

There are three main components to full health coverage for international UBC students: iMED, the BC MSP, and the AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan. Together these programs ensure that you avoid unexpected health costs.

	Basic insurance		Extended insurance
	iMED	BC MSP	AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan
How you enrol	Automatic when you register for classes	You must apply (if staying in BC six months or more)	Automatic when you register for classes
What the plan covers	Going to the doctor for a sickness or injury, and hospital visits	Going to the doctor, hospital visits, investigations, and testing	Vision care (such as eye exams), dental care, prescription drugs, vaccinations, and travel health coverage
Coverage period	First three months from arrival in Canada or full term (if you are a one-term exchange student), plus up to 10 days of travel between your country and Canada	Apply as soon as you arrive; covered after first three months in BC (waiting period)	Coverage beginning in Term 1: Sept. 1–Aug. 31 Coverage beginning in Term 2: Jan. 1–Aug. 31
Approximate cost	$120.00 or $170.00, charged to your University account	$54.00 per month for an individual, paid directly to MSP	$210.21 per year (subject to change), charged to your University account
Who is automatically enrolled	All new international students	No one	Students who pay AMS student fees
For more information	David Cummings Insurance Services 604.228.8816	MSP	AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan 1.877.795.4421

Getting started

As soon as you register for classes, check your fees at the Student Service Centre to see if you are covered by iMED ($120.00 or $170.00) and the AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan ($210.21). If these fees do not appear, you are not covered by those policies. If you think you should be covered, contact an International Student Advisor.
As soon as you arrive in BC, apply for MSP for you and the family members who came with you. It takes several months to process your application, so it is important to apply right away. If you will be in BC for six months or less, you are not eligible, so don't apply. If you already have MSP, you don't need iMED coverage; follow the opt-out procedures on the David Cummings Insurance Services website.
Download and print your iMED card as soon as you receive it by email. You should also pick up your AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan card and information booklet at the Health & Dental Plan Office (SUB, lower level, Room 61).

International Student Handbook (8.1MB PDF)
Download the complete text of the International Student Handbook.

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