Health Insurance

Find out what kind of health insurance you need at each school. Because you are a student at both institutions, it’s important that you know about how to apply and what your health insurance looks like at each school. Good health starts with making sure you have up-to-date health insurance. It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you have adequate coverage during your studies.

In France, the social security system reimburses 70% of doctor’s bills and 30% or 65% of medicine costs. From September 2018, the general French social security system is open to all students, free of charge. When you join the French social security system you will get a French social security number and card (carte vitale).

In addition to the obligatory system, complementary or top-up insurance (mutuelles) complete the cover up to full insurance. Registration with a student top-up insurance (mutuelle étudiante) is optional. It ensures a better rate of reimbursement of your health care costs and will top up the share of the costs that the social security covers and even covers some costs that the social security does not cover. Before signing up to a top-up health insurance scheme, check that you are not still covered by your parent’s top-up insurance.

Familiarize yourself with health services at Sciences Po:

UBC requires that all students, both domestic and international, have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies. Health insurance at UBC is applicable only for the following times:

  • July-August before Year 3
  • All of Years 3 and 4

UBC provides many resources online to help students understand what health insurance is required during your studies at UBC. Read through the tabs below to familiarize yourself with what kind of health insurance you will need, based on your specific circumstances.

If you are a student with Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status

You will need to familiarize yourself with British Columbia's Medical Services Plan (MSP), and the AMS' Extended Health and Dental Plan. See the Student Services page on health insurance details for domestic students for more detailed information.

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

BC's Medical Services Plan covers basic health care, such as doctor or hospital visits, and tests. Prior to arrival at UBC, please check with your family to see if you are still covered under their Medical Services Plan. You may not need to have your own MSP plan.

  • Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in Canada if you are not covered by your family. It takes 3 months to qualify for MSP, so it's important to do it as soon as possible.

AMS Extended Health and Dental plan 

All students are automatically enrolled in the AMS Extended Health and Dental plan. The Extended Health and Dental plan covers medical and dental services not covered by MSP, and includes coverage for things like glasses, contact lenses, prescription drugs, dental care, physiotherapy, counselling, and many other medical services. The AMS Extended Health and Dental plan is

  • The AMS Extended Health and Dental plan costs $227.04 per year, and is charged directly to your student account.
  • Coverage is from September 1 - August 31 of each calendar year.
  • You cannot opt out unless you can provide proof of other extended health coverage (such as your parents' extended healthcare plan).

Familiarize yourself with the AMS Extended Health and Dental plan, including information on how to submit claims, coverage information, and a full list of services available to you.

If you are a student with citizenship outside of Canada

You will need to familiarize yourself with iMED, British Columbia's Medical Services Plan (MSP), and the AMS' Extended Health and Dental Plan. See the Student Services page on health insurance details for international students for more detailed information.

iMED

iMED is mandatory, temporary health insurance that covers you during the 3-month waiting period for British Columbia's Medical Services Plan. iMED covers doctor and hospital visits, and is valid for three months from the month of arrival in Canada. All new international students registering at UBC are automatically enrolled in iMed.

  • iMED is charged directly to your student account.
  • You will receive your iMED card via email.
  • If your iMED coverage dates are incorrect and you actually arrive in Canada before your coverage begins, you must submit a Date Change Form directly to DCIS (the insurance provider) so that your coverage can be adjusted to cover your 3-month waiting period for MSP.  Submit the and a copy of your study permit after you arrive in BC.

Familiarize yourself with iMED, including information on what iMED covers, coverage dates, and how you can use your iMED insurance.

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

BC's Medical Services Plan covers basic health care, such as doctor or hospital visits, and tests. All BC residents are legally required to enroll in MSP if you are living in BC for longer than 6 months.

  • Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in Canada. It takes 3 months to qualify for MSP, so it's important to do it as soon as possible.
  • MSP is not free, and you will be charged a monthly premium. It is important that you pay this! Consult the BC MSP page for monthly premium rates.

AMS Extended Health and Dental plan 

All students are automatically enrolled in the AMS Extended Health and Dental plan. The Extended Health and Dental plan covers medical and dental services not covered by MSP, and includes coverage for things like glasses, contact lenses, prescription drugs, dental care, physiotherapy, counselling, and many other medical services. The AMS Extended Health and Dental plan is

  • The AMS Extended Health and Dental plan costs $227.04 per year, and is charged directly to your student account.
  • Coverage is from September 1 - August 31 of each calendar year.
  • You cannot opt out unless you can provide proof of other extended health coverage (such as your parents' extended healthcare plan).

Familiarize yourself with the AMS Extended Health and Dental plan, including information on how to submit claims, coverage information, and a full list of services available to you.

If you are a student with Canadian citizenship but have never resided in Canada

You will need to familiarize yourself with the Global Campus Health Plan, British Columbia's Medical Services Plan (MSP), and the AMS' Extended Health and Dental Plan.

Global Campus Health Plan 

As a student who has Canadian citizenship but has not previously resided in Canada, you are not eligible for iMED (which covers new international students at UBC). You are advised to join the Global Campus Health Plan instead. It is your responsibility to obtain temporary basic health insurance to cover you during the 3-month waiting period for MSP.

  • You should apply for the Global Campus Health Plan as soon as you arrive in BC. You will need valid health insurance for every day you spend in Canada

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

BC's Medical Services Plan covers basic health care, such as doctor or hospital visits, and tests. All BC residents are legally required to enroll in MSP if you are living in BC for longer than 6 months.

  • Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in Canada. It takes 3 months to qualify for MSP, so it's important to do it as soon as possible.
  • MSP is not free, and you will be charged a monthly premium. It is important that you pay this! Consult the BC MSP page for monthly premium rates.

AMS Extended Health and Dental plan 

All students are automatically enrolled in the AMS Extended Health and Dental plan. The Extended Health and Dental plan covers medical and dental services not covered by MSP, and includes coverage for things like glasses, contact lenses, prescription drugs, dental care, physiotherapy, counselling, and many other medical services. The AMS Extended Health and Dental plan is

  • The AMS Extended Health and Dental plan costs $227.04 per year, and is charged directly to your student account.
  • Coverage is from September 1 - August 31 of each calendar year.
  • You cannot opt out unless you can provide proof of other extended health coverage (such as your parents' extended healthcare plan).

Familiarize yourself with the AMS Extended Health and Dental plan, including information on how to submit claims, coverage information, and a full list of services available to you.