Students Studying in Canada Health Insurance

Comprehensive health insurance is mandatory for all international students studying in Canada. Travel insurance is not comprehensive, as it often only covers accidents. Health insurance is not included in your fees and you need to purchase it separately.

Guard.me Health Insurance is the only health insurance we accept, it is mandatory to purchase Guardme Insurance as an international student attending a Northeastern University Canadian campus.

You may be asked for proof of your health insurance on arriving to Canada by the Border Agents. Students are also required to submit a copy of their Guard.me insurance plan in their myOGS account.

Insurance options in Canada varies across provinces.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan is not available for international students studying in the province.

Students are required to purchase Guard.me health insurance plan that is comprehensive and provides for the cost of health services, medical treatments, doctor’s visits, and prescriptions.  Northeastern University has partnered with guard.me insurance to provide students with comprehensive, affordable health insurance.

The NU guard.me insurance policy provides students with 24-hours a day, seven days per week support and a wide range of benefits for emergencies, new and emergent conditions, and medically necessary treatments. Your NU policy has also been designed to cover prescription medication for new and emergent conditions. You can also purchase insurance for your accompanying family members, as they will need to have insurance also.

• If you are a new student, you will need to purchase the New Students health insurance here
  • Please note that it is mandatory to purchase the New Students insurance for the default dates when applying.
• If you are arriving in Canada prior to the start of the New Students insurance, please purchase a secondary Early Arrival insurance here.
• If you are a returning/continuing student and you would like to extend your insurance, please see here. Please note you must extend your insurance before the expiry date.

You will be required to show proof of insurance to attend the Toronto Campus as an international student. You will need to extend your policy before it expires as you are required to have coverage for the entire duration of your studies.

International students in BC are in most cases eligible for the provincial health coverage – Medical Services Plan (MSP). You will need to apply for Guardme Health Insurance for your first 90 days in Canada, starting from the day you arrive.

You should then apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in BC.

Please note: there is a three-month wait period for this plan, and during this period students need to enrol for Guardme.  Some students may choose to continue with Guardme even after the MSP plan starts, to provide additional coverage.

Wait Period Coverage

Students are required to purchase Guardme as it is comprehensive and provides for the cost of health services, medical treatments, doctor’s visits, and prescriptions for 90 days while waiting for your MSP Card. Northeastern University has partnered with Guard Me insurance to provide students with comprehensive, affordable health insurance.

The NU guard.me insurance policy provides students with 24-hours a day, seven days per week support and a wide range of benefits for emergencies, new and emergent conditions, and medically necessary treatments. Your NU policy has also been designed to cover prescription medication for new and emergent conditions. You can also purchase insurance for your accompanying family members, as they will need to have insurance also.

To purchase Guardme prior to your arrival, please see the options below:

• If you are a New Student, please purchase the New Student’s insurance plan here.
• If you are looking to extend your current Guardme health plan, please see here.
• If you have MSP and you want to find out about Guardme’s extended health plans, see here.

You may be required to show proof of insurance to attend the Vancouver Campus as an international student.

Medical Service Plan (MSP) is mandatory for all BC residents pursuant to Medicare Protection Act. International students studying on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year in BC are eligible to enroll MSP.

1. Eligibility- Certain other individuals, such as some holders of Study and/or Work Permits, or Work Permits on Working Holiday Programs — which are issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and are valid for a period of six or more months — may be deemed residents. Tourists or visitors to B.C. do not qualify.
2. Coverage Wait Period (3 months) -New (and returning) residents are required to complete a wait period consisting of the balance of the month in which residence in British Columbia is established, plus two months before benefits can begin. New or returning residents arriving from outside Canada should contact a private insurance company for coverage during this period.
3. Cost for international students -From Jan. 1, 2020, with the elimination of MSP premiums, the health-care coverage fee for all international students is $75 per month.

For more information and frequently asked questions, please refer to the BC government website.