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Health Insurance

University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)

It’s important to learn about the health care you have access to as an international or incoming exchange student. In addition to knowing what to do when seeking medical care, learning about your health insurance will help you feel more at ease in your relocation to Canada. If you’re attending Laurentian University as an international or incoming exchange student, you have access to insurance through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

UHIP is a mandatory, comprehensive health insurance plan that provides health coverage for international and incoming exchange students. UHIP covers medically necessary doctors and hospital visits within Ontario for international students, incoming exchange students and dependents (spouse and children).

 

To be eligible for the UHIP, you must be enrolled in a program and be registered for your courses.

If you’re an international student, once you register for your courses, you’re automatically enrolled in UHIP every year. However, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your coverage is correct.

Please let the Laurentian University Plan Administrator know if you have dependents with you so they can be added to your coverage. Coverage for your dependants is mandatory.

Once you are enrolled, Cowan will send a UHIP welcome email to your university email address, with instructions on how to download your coverage card and other helpful information. Your coverage is set to start based on the intake you enroll in Laurentian.  The start date are below:

  • September (Fall) intake: is set to start  on September 1, but you are covered as early as August 10 if you come to Ontario before September 1. 
  • January  (Winter) intake: is set to start  on January 1, but you are covered as early as December 10  if you come to Ontario before January 1. 
  • May (Spring) intake: is set to start  on May 1, but you are covered as early as April 10  if you come to Ontario before May 1. 

Note: You must enroll and pay for your dependent(s) in person at your University UHIP office within 30 days of their arrival in Canada or you will be charged an additional $500.00 late dependent enrollment fee.

In late August or early September (or the first month of your first semester with Laurentian ) , your UHIP provider, Cowan/Manulife, will send a welcome email to your Laurentian email account, with a link to access your UHIP coverage card from Cowan’s email: UHIP.RAMU@cowangroup.ca. To make sure you receive your UHIP card, please make sure you’ve activated your Laurentian email account.

If your UHIP coverage card shows incorrect information, contact your Laurentian University Plan Administrator.

When you receive your UHIP card, print a copy and carry it with you at all times. This way, you’ll have it easily accessible in case you need to seek medical care. Remember to bring a paper copy of your UHIP card to your medical provider. Some providers outside of Cowan’s Preferred Provider Network may charge more than what UHIP pays. This extra cost is not covered by UHIP, and you will need to pay the difference to the provider.

Learn more about UHIP coverage

 

Haven’t received your UHIP card?

Contact us by emailing uhip@Laurentian.ca.

UHIP is also mandatory for all your dependants living with you in Ontario. This means that, if you’re planning to bring your spouse and/or children with you, you must sign them up with UHIP within 30 days of their arrival in Ontario.

Note: There’s a $500 late fee, in addition to the standard UHIP fees, if your dependents aren’t enrolled within the 30-time limit.

To add your dependants to the UHIP plan, email uhip@Laurentian.ca with the following information:

  • Your student number, first and last name
  • Your dependant’s passport photo page
  • Your dependant’s date (DD-MM-YYY) of arrival in Ontario Canada
  • Complete UHIP Application Form

Once it is approved, A UHIP card with you and your dependent(s) name will be sent to your university email address in 5 business days. 

The cost depends on the number of people you are enrolling and how long you’ll need coverage. The UHIP Premium Table shows current premium rates.

Effective September 1, 2023–August 31, 2024

UHIP coverage  is $756 per year per person ($63 per month per person). This fee is charged to your student account, and it must be paid in full at the beginning of your academic session.

Costs based on start date

  • September 2023
    • Member only: $756
    • Member and 1 dependent: $1,512
    • Member and 2+ dependents: $2,268
  • January 2024
    • Member only: $504
    • Member and 1 dependent: $1,008
    • Member and 2+ dependents: $1,512
  • May 2024
    • Member only: $252
    • Member and 1 dependent: $504
    • Member and 2+ dependents: $756

UHIP’s policy year is September 1 to August 31. It provides up to $1,000,000 CAD for primary health care services and for eligible medically necessary services.

Learn more about UHIP coverage.

Supplementary coverage (i.e. vision, dental, prescriptions) is not part of UHIP. However, as a full-time student, you have additional medical coverage through your student association health plan. Medical coverage through your student association helps pay for services that are not covered under UHIP.

Follow the links below for more information on your extended health plan:

Note: Unfortunately, these supplementary plans aren’t available to incoming exchange students.

Learn more about UHIP coverage

You may be eligible for a refund if:

  • You have withdrawn from Laurentian University.
  • You have completed the academic program early and you’re returning to your home country.
  • You now have Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage due to becoming a permanent resident in Canada.
  • You (and your dependents, if applicable) plan to leave are Canada Students and you’ve submitted proof to the UHIP Administrator before February 28.

 

If you plan to submit a refund request, please note:

  • Refunds are only available for complete calendar months beginning the first day of the month after you submit your refund request.
  • Refunds are not available for scheduled breaks between terms.
  • The deadline for refund requests is February 28, unless you’re applying for a refund due to gaining OHIP coverage. In this case, the deadline is July 31. No refunds are available in August.

Learn more

UHIP is mandatory for all international and incoming exchange students. However, you may be exempt from the UHIP plan, if you have coverage from one of the pre-approved health-care plans in the list below.
 

Pre-approved health-care plans

  • Canadian International Development Agency Health Care Plan
  • World University Service of Canada Plan
  • Embassy of Botswana
  • Embassy of the State of Kuwait GHIP Replacement
  • Interim Federal Health Care Plan
  • Ciência sem Fronteiras (Csf)
  • Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (SACB-HDP) Policy #06614A
  • Libyan Embassy and Scholarship Program — Canada Policy #G0068002
  • Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
  • Global Affairs Canada

 

To request an exemption from the UHIP plan

Email uhip@Laurentian.ca and include your:

  • Student number
  • Copy of the pre-approved health-care plan

 

If you have another insurance plan that is not listed under the pre-approved plans, you can apply for an exemption from UHIP directly through your UHIP provider, Cowan or Manulife. Complete the checklist on the UHIP website to find out if your plan qualifies for an exemption.

Note: If your status changes or if you become covered under one of these plans, it’s your responsibility to inform the UHIP administrator as soon as possible. You will need to provide proof of the pre-approved plan.

Learn more

If you plan to study at Laurentian for fewer than 12 months, you can apply for a four-month UHIP extension. This can be helpful if you plan to travel in Canada after you complete your studies. Other extensions are also available if you’re defending your thesis, if you’re waiting for convocation or if you experience a medical emergency.

Extension requests must be made no later than 30 days before your coverage is scheduled to end. For more information on how to apply for an extension, visit the UHIP website or email uhip@laurentian.ca.

Learn more about UHIP

In case you need to seek medical care while you’re living in Ontario, it’s important to know your options. We can help you get connected with doctors and health-care professionals who accept UHIP as payment. Then, we can help you file a claim through UHIP to cover your eligible expenses.

Your UHIP provider, Cowan/Manulife, has compiled a list of health-care providers in Ontario who can accept your insurance coverage as payment. 

Find a health-care provider

If you’ve visited a doctor or health-care professional, UHIP makes it easy to file a claim to get reimbursed for your eligible expenses.

To make a UHIP claim

  1. Before seeking health care, print off a claim form (available on the UHIP website).
  2. Complete the form while you’re at the doctor’s office.
  3. Pay for the care you received.
  4. Make copies of the claim form, invoice and proof of payment for your own records
  5. Mail the originals of the form, invoice, and proof of payment to the address on the claim form.
  6. Set up direct deposit if you would like the claim to be paid directly to your bank account. Otherwise, you will receive a cheque in the mail.
  7. Wait for UHIP to determine whether the claimed services are covered in your plan.
  8. Receive payment, if applicable.

Submit a claim

Learn more about UHIP:

Student Association Medical Coverage

As full-time students you have additional medical coverage through your student association health plan. Medical coverage through your student association helps pay for services that are not covered under UHIP.

Follow the links below for more information on your extended health plan:

Questions?

Still have questions?

Email Cowan at UHIP.RAMU@cowangroup.ca or UHIP@laurentian.ca.