Canada Health Insurance

Many individuals in the workplace are fortunate enough to have access to a health insurance plan, but many college students, who are striving to acquire the knowledge needed to enter the work force, are without health insurance.

A number of Canadian colleges and universities offer student health insurance plans to those enrolled in their institutions. Although some enrol their students automatically into their health insurance programs upon registration, coverage for potential medical expenses incurred during their schooling is typically an option for the Canadian student.

It is the college student’s responsibility to get informed and be well aware of the terms and coverage of the institution’s student health insurance plan.

Who needs a Student Health Insurance Plan?
According to a national survey, about 80% of students have experienced a health issue that has affected the course of their studies. Many young students are covered under their parents’ health insurance policy; however, exceptions should be noted. Full-time students over 25 years of age are not covered by their parents’ plan, nor are part-time students over 21 years of age. It is therefore advisable that before opting out of a student health insurance plan, you should check to see if you are indeed covered by another health plan.

Student Health Insurance Coverage
Aside from offering the standard medical and dental benefits, many student health plans cover vision expenses, including eye examinations, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and in some cases, laser eye surgery. If your studies consist of volunteer work or internships in foreign countries, you may be required to receive certain vaccinations, which could be covered by your student health plan. Ambulatory service, travel health insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, medical equipment rental, and services rendered by certified osteopaths, naturopaths, dieticians, chiropractors, speech and athletic therapists may also be part of your student health insurance coverage. It is often possible for college students to enrol their spouse or children under their health insurance plan for an extra fee. Common-law partners and same-sex couples are usually considered eligible as well.

Canadian Students
Students who are permanent residents of the province in which they are studying have the option of joining or not joining a student health insurance plan offered by their academic institution. College students coming from a different province in Canada must check the regulations of their home province to ensure that they are covered while studying at the out-of-province college they have chosen.

International Students
All international students studying in Canada (those that do not have Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident Status) must belong to the student health insurance program offered by the university they are attending. The health coverage provided by the institution is similar to the Quebec Hospitalization and Quebec Medicare program. Students covered by an alternate health insurance plan, such as Blue Cross, must notify their academic institution and opt out of the school’s health insurance plan.