Health Insurance

Medical expenses can be extremely high in Canada so you must have medical insurance. When you arrive, you will need to participate in either the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan or the UAlberta Health Insurance Plan.

In Alberta and Canada, the following terms are often used:

• Health insurance refers to any health plan which will cover your medical expenses. For most Albertans (Canadians, and those residing in Alberta), have the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), this plan also covers all international students studying in Alberta for periods of over 12 months. Otherwise, you will use the University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan (UAHIP).
• Supplementary coverage covers, full or in-part, medical expenses which are not covered by AHCIP or UAHIP. These costs include dental and eye-care, as well as prescription medication, vaccinations, and medical devices. International students at the University of Alberta are covered automatically through their student associations (you may opt out of these plans if you wish). Exchange students are not eligible for this supplementary coverage.

Things to bring

If you have an existing medical condition or detailed medical history bring an English copy of your medical record with you. If you are taking prescription medication:

• Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medication
• Contact a doctor when you arrive to obtain a prescription for the same medication or, if such medication is not available in Canada, a prescription for suitable medication that is available.

If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses bring an extra pair of eyeglasses and/or a supply of contact lenses.

Tip: Purchase travel health insurance so that you are covered during your journey to Canada. You are not covered by Canadian health insurance providers until you arrive in Canada or begin studies (see below for details).

Basic Health Care Plans

Insurance covers basic costs such as visits to the doctor, lab costs and hospital costs. The basic health plan you need depends on how long you’re studying at UAlberta:

• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (for those staying more than 12 months)
• University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan (for those studying less than 12 months)

Supplementary Health and Dental Plan

International students (with the exception of exchange students) at the University of Alberta belong to the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) for graduate students.

Students who register full-time in the Fall Term (September) are automatically assessed Supplementary Health and Dental Fees as follows:

• Graduate students - Approx. $500 for the Graduate Students' Association Health and Dental Plan

Enrolment in either program provides you with supplementary health benefits and dental coverage for 12 months (September 1 - August 31).

New full-time and part-time students enrolled in the Winter Term may not automatically covered by these plans. You may enrol yourself by completing an enrolment form and paying the appropriate fee during the Change-of-Coverage Period.

The GSA Health & Dental Plans were designed to provide many important services and cover expenses not covered by a basic health-care plan, such as prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors, and more.

Your Student Health & Dental Plan does not replace basic medical coverage such as the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) or the equivalent U of A Health Insurance Plan (UAHIP). If you already have equivalent health/dental coverage from another plan, you may opt out of this plan. Deadlines for opting out can be found on the GSA StudentCare website for graduate students.

Exchange students are not eligible to be covered by the Student Health & Dental Plans as they are not assessed membership fees for these associations and an opt-in is not possible.