Health Insurance for International Students in Canada

International students in Canada need health insurance because the Canadian healthcare system primarily serves citizens and permanent residents. Without insurance, international students would have to pay for medical services themselves, which can be costly. To avoid paying expensive medical fees, it is always suggested and mandatory to get health insurance in Canada.

Canada is known for its free Canadian health care, however, the majority of these services are only available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Health insurance for international students in Canada is not free. That’s why having the right health insurance is essential during your stay. Depending on where you study, you may need to purchase private insurance or enroll in a provincial plan designed for students.

Getting a good health insurance can help you avoid unexpected medical costs and ensure you’re protected throughout your studies in Canada. Here, in this article, we will help you select the best health insurance in Canada as an international student. It will help you to understand your options before arriving in Canada for higher studies. Check out checklist for Indian students going abroad.

Cost of Health Insurance in Canada for International Students

The international students who want to study in Canada must arrange their health insurance that covers their entire duration of their study program. On average, international students can expect to pay anywhere from CAD 600 to CAD 1,000 annually for comprehensive health insurance coverage. It is a part of cost of living in Canada for international students.

Health Insurance for International Students in Canada

It must be noted that Canada’s health care system is not the same for all its provinces. International students coming to study in Canada must familiarise themselves with the Canadian healthcare that is offered by the province where they are planning to study. Some Canadian provinces do offer health insurance for international students under provincial health plans, while others don’t. Moreover, the medical expenses and the pre-existing medical conditions covered vary in different provinces. However, most of the provinces require students to register for private health insurance plans.

Many Canadian provinces require international students to get health insurance, and educational institutions offer health insurance for international students in Canada. In some cases, Canadian universities require students to register for their health insurance packages. At some schools, international students are allowed to opt out of the packages offered by the school if they can prove that they obtained private health insurance from another source.

Province-Wise Health Insurance in Canada for Students

Here, we have mentioned information about health insurance schemes in different Canadian provinces for international students who want to study abroad:

Health Insurance in Alberta

• Alberta does provide Public Health Insurance for international students
• International students in Alberta studying for at least six months are usually eligible for provincial health insurance coverage through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
• Alberta Health Care covers only the basic health expenses; it does not cover prescription drugs or dental care. If an international student is ineligible to obtain coverage under AHCIP they must purchase a private plan through an insurance company or agent. Check out the best universities in Alberta

Health Insurance in British Columbia

• British Columbia provides Public Health Insurance for international students in Canada.
• An international student planning to study in British Columbia for at least six months is eligible for British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). The student must apply for MSP as soon as he arrives in BC. MSP takes about three months to process applications.
• iMED provides the international students with the basic health insurance during the three-month waiting period before you qualify for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP).
• International students may purchase extended health coverage to supplement the basic coverage offered by MSP. Many schools offer extended health insurance packages to their students, and some institutions even require students to purchase these packages.
• If a student is not eligible for MSP, then they must purchase private insurance for health care coverage for the duration of their stay.

Health Insurance in Manitoba

• Manitoba does not provide Public Health Insurance for international students in Canada
• International students in Manitoba must be covered under the Manitoba International Student Health Plan
• Manitoba International Student Health Plan covers the student for emergency medical services like hospital stays, x-rays, and doctor visits that may be costly for non-residents

Health Insurance in New Brunswick

• New Brunswick provides Public Health Insurance for international students
• International students must meet the eligibility criteria to obtain New Brunswick Medicare coverage. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in full-time studies at a New Brunswick educational institution for at least one full academic year.
• New Brunswick Medicare provides only basic medical coverage. International students can explore extended health coverage through their school or another private insurance provider

Health Insurance in Northwest Territories

• Northwest Territories provides Public Health Insurance to international students in Canada
• International students may apply for health insurance through Northwest Territories Health Care (NWTHC) provided they are studying in the program for longer than 12 months
• NWTHC provides free basic health care for residents of the Northwest Territories. As this coverage is only basic, international students are encouraged to explore extended healthcare coverage through private providers

Health Insurance in Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia does not provide Public Health Insurance to international students in Canada
• International students in Nova Scotia need to purchase health coverage since they are not eligible for the provincial health care program.
• Some universities in Nova Scotia offer healthcare plans, and some require that international students opt in
• While Nova Scotia does not offer public health insurance to international students, it is available to anyone who has legally resided in the province for at least 12 months. The cost of this plan is approximately $650 for 12 months of coverage.
• After the first year, an international student can become eligible to apply for a Nova Scotia Health Card that gives access to free basic health coverage through Medical Services Insurance (MSI).

Health Insurance in Ontario

• Public Health Insurance is not available in Ontario
• International students in Ontario are not eligible for the provincial Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Thus, all higher education institutions in Ontario provide health insurance plans to international students.
• Public universities generally offer health insurance through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), with annual premiums ranging from CAD 600 TO CAD 1,000. Check out the cost of living in Toronto for international students.

Eligibility for Health Insurance in Canadian Provinces

Healthcare Options in Canada

There are various resources and tools for obtaining private health insurance for international students in Canada who wish to explore private insurance options offered within Canada:

• Find Insurance: This tool is operated by the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance. It is a public service tool listing 99% of insurance programs that are offered by Canadian life and health insurance companies.
• OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI): This is Canada’s independent information service for consumers of Canadian life and health insurance. It acts as an independent complaint resolution service for insurance consumers.

Private Health Insurance Providers

Students who are not eligible for provincial coverage or by their schools can consider private insurers such as:

• International Student Insurance (ISI): Under this, the ‘Patriot Exchange’ starting at CAD 1.15/ day, with coverage up to USD one million.
• IMG Global: ‘Student Health Advantage’ offers comprehensive plans covering mental health, pre-existing conditions, and maternity at competitive rates.
• CoverMe by Manulife: Offers plans for health insurance for international students in Canada, covering emergency and non-emergency medical costs with coverage up to CAD two million.
• Guard Me: Partnered with several institutions; premiums vary by institution.

It is advised that you consider all the above factors and conduct your own research before making a decision. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.