A guide to health insurance for international students in Canada
Are you going to study in Canada? Here we explain how the healthcare system works and why international students need health insurance while studying in Canada
Grace McCabe
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How does health insurance work in Canada for international students?
The public healthcare system in Canada (Medicare) is funded by taxes, meaning that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents pay towards the system and have access to it when they need medical aid. As international students do not pay taxes (or pay only partial taxes if working part time), they do not have access to this service and must have private healthcare to access the system.
Across the 13 provincial territories of Canada, the healthcare policy varies. With private health insurance, you will receive a card that will allow hospitals and other medical institutions to supply your agreed cover of care for free. The administrative wait for this card varies depending on where you are. Alberta tends to issue the card within a few weeks, but British Columbia can take up to three months, meaning that you need to organise this before you travel to Canada to begin your studies.
Most universities ask students to organise their own private healthcare, but a small number of universities across the provinces will provide cover for international students, so check this with your institution first.
Some provinces – such as Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan – offer health insurance to international students that can be purchased prior to arrival. Other provinces – such as Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island and Yukon – do not offer health insurance for international students, so students must arrange private insurance in their home countries that can then be extended to Canada.
Why should I take out health insurance in Canada?
Anyone without health insurance in Canada must pay for all the medical care they receive. In case of an emergency, all areas of Canada will supply a free service to save a life.
However, should you need anything from medication to emergency help, you will have to cover the cost yourself. This can be expensive and may be difficult to afford without health insurance.
The benefits of having health insurance as an international student include:
- Expenses for injuries, diseases and other health conditions are covered
- Single insurance plans cover you for your whole stay in Canada, meaning that there is no need to renew each year
- Plans are affordable and designed for students (prices will vary based on age and whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions)
- You can get health plans that cover family or dependants who are visiting with you
How much does healthcare cost in Canada for international students?
If you are paying for medical services yourself without insurance, it can be very expensive. An appointment with a doctor can start from C$120, and a visit to the emergency room can start from C$1,000. If you need to stay in a hospital ward, the cost of the room alone can be about C$3,700 per night.
Health insurance in Canada can vary in price depending on what level of plan you choose, if you have any pre-existing medical issues and how long you need to be covered. However, the average cost for international students ranges from C$600 to C$900 each year.
What is out-of-province medical cover?
Canada is split into different provinces, so some healthcare arrangements will cover you only for medical expenses that happen in the particular province in which you are taking out the insurance.
This means that if you intend to travel to other areas of Canada while you study abroad, you should consider getting out-of-province medical cover, which will ensure that you still have medical insurance wherever you go.
Everything you need to know about studying in Canada
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How do international students get healthcare in Canada?
There are two options for international students in Canada who are looking to take out health insurance.
- Purchasing private healthcare directly from an insurance company (see list below)
- Registering for insurance through university
If your university is in a province that doesn’t offer medical insurance, you will need international overseas private cover.
What are some recommended health insurance plans for international students?
There are many health insurance options for international students in Canada, but these are a few of the top-rated plans:
