Post-secondary students in Canada have access to health and dental insurance through their student unions and associations. These plans are designed to fill the gaps left by provincial health insurance — covering prescription drugs, dental care, vision, mental health, and paramedical services at affordable rates for full-time students.
Student health and dental plans are group insurance plans negotiated by student associations (students' unions, graduate student associations, etc.) on behalf of their members. Coverage is automatically included for full-time students, with the premium bundled into student fees at enrollment.
Most plans are administered by major insurers (StudentCare, Greenshield, Sun Life, etc.) and run September to August, aligning with the academic year.
Most student plans cover prescription drugs at 80% after a small deductible (often $5–$10 per prescription). Generic substitution is commonly required. Annual maximums range from $3,000–$100.
Basic dental services (cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions) are typically covered at 60–80%, with annual maximums of $500–$1,500. Major dental work and orthodontics are often excluded or have minimal coverage.
Eye exams and prescription eyewear allowances of $100–$250 per year or per 2 years are common.
Student mental health coverage has improved significantly. Most plans now cover psychologist, social worker, or registered psychotherapist sessions at $500–$1,500 per year. Many universities also provide free short-term counselling through student wellness centres — separate from your insurance plan.
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, and related services are often covered at $300–$750 per year total across all disciplines.
Most student plans include emergency travel medical insurance for students studying away from home or travelling. Coverage amounts are typically $1–$5 million for emergency medical care.
If you have equivalent coverage through another plan (a parent's group benefits, a spouse's plan, or your own individual policy), you can usually opt out of the student plan and have the fee refunded. Key rules:
International students in Canada have specific health coverage needs:
Graduate students often have separate and sometimes better-funded health plans through their graduate student associations. Graduate plans may offer higher drug maximums and better mental health coverage, reflecting the longer duration and higher stress levels of graduate study.
Part-time students are often excluded from student health plans or must opt in separately. Check with your student association — some offer part-time student membership with access to the health plan at an additional cost.
If your student plan doesn't provide enough coverage for your needs (high prescription drug costs, regular therapy, etc.), you can:
Student health plan claims are submitted through the insurer's portal or app. Common platforms include:
Keep all receipts from pharmacies, dentists, optometrists, and paramedical providers. Submit claims within the deadline (typically 12 months from service date).
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