We are delighted to announce our new partnerships with UHIP, MorCare & Guard.Me, a significant step forward in expanding our healthcare services to international students and staff from Ontario Universities and Colleges.

Introduction

While Canada is renowned for its universal healthcare system, which provides free medical services to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, international students face different healthcare requirements. They usually need to arrange for health insurance throughout their study program since most Canadian health services are not available to them.

Canada’s healthcare system varies by province, and foreign nationals planning to study in Canada need to understand the healthcare coverage offered by their province of study. Some provinces provide health insurance for international students under provincial plans, while others do not. Coverage also varies regarding medical expenses and pre-existing conditions. Generally, provinces require students to enrol in private health insurance plans.

Many provinces mandate that international students obtain health insurance, often provided by educational institutions. Some schools require enrolment in their health insurance plans, while others permit students to opt out if they have alternative coverage. Educational institutions are well-versed in the healthcare requirements for international students and whether they are eligible for provincial health coverage.

Canadian Health Care

Canadian citizens and permanent residents have access to medically necessary hospital services without out-of-pocket costs. However, healthcare services are administered by individual provinces and territories, resulting in variations in coverage across the country. Basic healthcare coverage includes medically necessary services.

Non-residents of Canada typically must pay out-of-pocket for medical services unless covered by private health insurance, a requirement under many immigration programs.

In case of a medical emergency, all provinces and territories provide free services, regardless of possessing a government health card. However, there may be limitations on services depending on a person’s immigration status.

Health Care Services for Students in Ontario

Healthcare Services for Students in Ontario International students in Ontario are not eligible for the provincial Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Consequently, higher education institutions in Ontario offer health insurance plans tailored for international students.

Public universities generally provide coverage through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), while colleges and private institutions offer alternatives like MorCare or Guard.Me.

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What is UHIP?

UHIP, which stands for the University Health Insurance Plan, is a vital non-profit insurance program designed to provide essential healthcare coverage to eligible international non-residents who are studying or working at participating Ontario Universities. Much like OHIP serves Ontario residents, UHIP ensures comprehensive coverage that includes physician visits, laboratory tests, and a variety of other essential medical services.

Participating Universities

Head over to https://uhip.ca/ to learn more.

What is MorCare?

Similar to UHIP, MorCare is a non-profit insurance program designed to provide healthcare coverage to eligible international non-residents who are studying or working at participating Ontario Colleges.

Participating Colleges

Visit https://morcare.ca/ to learn more.

What is Guard.Me?

Guard.Me works with educational institutions and partner agents around the world to create customizable and affordable plans for full- and part-time international students, as well as visiting faculty, staff, scholars, researchers, and exchange students.

The Guard.Me health insurance plan covers full payment for doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, urgent paramedical care, medications, and urgent dental care without co-insurance or deductibles. It is designed for students or faculty members who are temporarily out-of-country or out-of-province for less than six months, or in an out-of-status situation. Guard.Me directly bills for the services provided, ensuring no upfront costs for participants.

Visit https://www.guard.me/ to learn more.

Our Goal with these Partnerships

These partnerships emphasize our commitment to enhancing accessibility to quality healthcare for the diverse community of international students within Ontario’s academic institutions. By partnering, we aim to provide seamless access to healthcare services that prioritize the well-being and peace of mind of our valued international community members.

 We look forward to continuing to serve and support you in your health and wellness journey.