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Student Services & Activities

Medical Insurance

All international students are required by law to have medical insurance while studying in British Columbia. Health care services in Canada can be very expensive and it is mandatory to have insurance coverage.  A standard visit to the emergency room at a British Columbia hospital costs $750 PLUS charges for additional tests.  It is the student’s responsibility to have adequate medical insurance while in Canada.  Students who do not have medical insurance will not be eligible for services from Vancouver Island University.

There are 3 types of medical insurance providers available while at Vancouver Island University:

Medical Services· TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS) *

· British Columbia Medical Services Plan (BC MSP)

· Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan, (through the Students’ Union)

* All new VIU international students will be registered in TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS) medical insurance upon arrival. This is a mandatory program and enrollment is automatic.

 

What type of medical insurance do I need?

Student

Upon Arrival

After 3 Months

English as a Second Language (ESL) students

TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS)

British Columbia Medical Services Plan (BC MSP)

Long-term academic, trades or vocational students registered in a degree, diploma or certificate program.

TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS)
and
Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan

British Columbia Medical Services Plan  
and
Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan

Study Abroad students (1 semester only)

TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS): Basic

and
Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan

Not applicable
Exchange students TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS): Comprehensive Not applicable

Short-term English-as-a Second Language (ESL) students or students registered in short–term group programs

TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services (TIC-ISIS)

or

insurance included in a group program

 

 

What coverage is available and how do I apply?

 

Basic Insurance

Extended Insurance

Insurance Providers

TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services
(TIC-ISIS)

British Columbia Medical Services Plan
 (BC MSP)

Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan

How to Apply

All new students are automatically enrolled.

Students who have a study permit for 6 months or longer are eligible for BC MSP after 3 months in British Columbia. Note you must apply yourself when you arrive as processing times can take as long as 8 weeks. You will learn how to apply during orientation or, go to International Student Services in building 255 for assistance.

Academic, trades and vocational students are automatically enrolled when they register.

  • ESL students are not eligible

  • Exchange students are exempt but may apply

Type of Coverage

Basic TIC-ISIS:  for long-term academic, long-term ESL and Study Abroad students only
Doctor and hospital visits, lab tests, x-rays, local ambulance, professional services, eye exams, emergency transportation home

Comprehensive TIC-ISIS: for Exchange students only
Doctor and hospital visits, lab tests, x-rays, local ambulance, professional services, eye exams, emergency transportation home, emergency dental, drugs and medications
For more details, go to Island Savings Insurance

Basic BC MSP:
Doctor and hospital visits, lab tests, x-rays.
For more details go to BC Medical Services Plan

Extended Health and Dental Plan:
Eye exams, dental, prescription drugs, naturopathic doctors and more.
For more details go to
Greenshield Canada

 

How long am I covered and how much does it cost?

 

Basic insurance

Extended Insurance

Insurance Provider

TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services
(TIC-ISIS)

British Columbia Medical Services Plan
(BC MSP)

Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan

Coverage Period

  • Long-term and Study Abroad students are covered for four months  

  • Short-term English Language Centre students here for 7 weeks are covered for 3 months

  • Exchange students are covered for the entire semester

  • Your insurance policy will be emailed to you before classes begin; check your email for specific dates.

  • You are eligible for BC MSP after living in BC for 3 months (the month you arrive counts as your first month)

  • For example, if you arrive Aug 20, your three month waiting period will be completed Nov 1

  • Coverage continues for a one-year term, and is charged annually

Approximate Cost

Basic:

  • $40 a month

Comprehensive for Exchange students:

  • $224 for the semester

Charged to your student record account

  • $66.50 per month for an individual

  • $120.50 for a family of two

  • $133.00 for a family of three or more

 

 

You pay directly to BC MSP

  • $278 per year

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charged to your student record account

 

 

Basic Insurance

Extended Insurance

For More Information

Island Savings Insurance
or
Email cedarinsurance@iscu.com

BC Medical Services Plan
or
Visit our local
BC Access Centre
460 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R7

For details on coverage information, forms and printable claim cards, visit
Greenshield Canada
Cards can also be picked up at the Students’ Union Building 193

 

More Information:

  • Your TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services card and policy number will be sent to you via email before the start of classes. It will include your policy number, coverage and start and end dates. Be sure to print it as soon as you receive it. If you do not receive your card check your spam box. If it is not there, email Jodi Meldrum at Island Saving Insurance Services at cedarinsurance@iscu.com. Click on the following links to view an electronic brochure for the Basic Insurance and/or Comprehensive Insurance policies.
  • If you have a study permit for six months or more you must apply for British Columbia Medical Services Plan (BC MSP) when you arrive. There is a 3 month waiting period to be eligible for BC MSP and processing times can be 8 weeks or more so be sure to apply when you arrive.
  • If you already have BC MSP, you can opt out of TIC-ISIS before the opt-out period. You have 30 days from the date your policy is activated.
  • During orientation week a representative from TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services will be available on campus to assist students with questions regarding their TIC-ISIS insurance. For more detailed information on basic and comprehensive coverage please visit ISIS insurance, or email cedarinsurance@iscu.com.
  • When seeing a doctor, you must pay for each visit and then submit a claim form to TIC-Island Savings Insurance Services or Greenshield to be reimbursed; be sure to ask for a receipt.
    For BC MSP you do not need to pay for each visit.
  • For long-term and Study Abroad academic students, requiring information on Green Shield Extended Health and Dental Plan, read details below, visit the VIU Students’ Union or go to the Students’ Union in building 193.

Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan

Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan, provided through the VIU Students’ Union, is mandatory for full-time academic students, trades and vocational students in any program that is 8 months or longer. The plan covers services such as basic dental care, prescription medication, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physiotherapy, naturopathy, orthotics, ambulatory care and many other services. The cost is $278 for one calendar year. To find out more about the Extended Health and Dental Plan, please visit the VIU Students’ Union. For details on coverage information, forms and printable claim cards, visit Greenshield Canada.

Students who leave after four months may be eligible for a partial refund for the unused portion of the plan. Visit the Students’ Union office in building 193 one month prior to completion of your studies to inquire about a refund.

Students with proof of equivalent coverage from their home country can apply to opt-out of the Students’ Union plan. All requests must be submitted within the opt-out deadline for your program. Please email healthanddental@viusu.ca to ask about your program deadline and request assistance.

ESL students are not eligible for the Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan. Exchange students are exempt but may apply if they wish.