International Health Coverage

International Plan Opt-Out Requirements

Companion Plan

Coverage is mandatory for all international students attending Dalhousie University.
Sponsored students (WUSC, CBIE, Libyan, Saudi), exchange students with coverage from their university, or students with Private Coverage are only permitted to submit an opt-out application during the opt-out period for academic term their studies begin, each policy year. Students who qualify for MSI can submit opt-outs throughout the year once they become eligible for provincial coverage
This plan provides coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, x-rays, lab tests, repatriation and more.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, coverage may be limited.
If you need to see a doctor or nurse, please click on the button below for health care options.
If you want to confirm eligibility of a service, you can complete a pre-determination form and submit to Medavie Blue Cross. The pre-determination form can be found below.
Please download the My Peak mobile app for all of your health plan resources. Check the link below for more.

Health Care My Peak mobile app Pre-Determination Form International Health Plan Policy

Understand Your Coverage

Know all benefits, limitations, and exclusions that apply.

Coverage valid in Canada only.

Medical Coverage

You have coverage for emergent and urgent medical care such as:

Going to the doctor if you are feeling sick or are injured

Visits to the Emergency Room

Hospitalization

Sexual Health Testing

This policy also includes coverage for lab tests such as blood work and diagnostic imaging such as x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI's and CT scans.

This portion of your insurance coverage is for medical expenses if you are sick or injured and require medical care. Your policy covers these expenses at 100% and there is no deductible or co-pay for you.

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions.

Mental Health Coverage

No matter what your mental health journey looks like, you have coverage through your plan to support your mental health care.

Visits to a psychologist or psychiatrist- 100% covered up to $10,000

Visits to a social worker – 100% covered up to $500

Hospitalization due to a mental health illness or concern such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia or other- 100% covered up to $60,000 (lifetime maximum)

Psychiatry fees billed separately during your time in the hospital – 100% covered up to $60,000 (lifetime maximum)

The Free I.M. Well Service is available to ALL International Dalhousie students and their families, even after graduation.

I.M. Well Service

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

Transportation

The Medical & Wellness plan also includes coverage for various transportation needs including:

Ambulance – Up to $10, 000

Taxi or Uber to hospital- Up to $125

Repatriation (you are sick and must return home permanently) – up to $20,000

Repatriation of remains (transporting your body to your home country) – up to $20,000

Supplemental Expenses for family (i.e. accommodation, food) $150 day up to $1,500 max

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click on the button at the top of the page to view your International Health Plan Policy.

Pregnancy & Maternity

The Medical & Wellness plan includes coverage for pregnancy, terminations (abortions), miscarriages, delivery and more.*

Maternity expenses including ultrasounds, lab tests, doctor visits, delivery and well-baby care for up to 6 months post-birth - $25,000

Miscarriage – Covered under $25,000 maternity benefit

Pregnancy Termination (Medical Abortion) – 1 per policy year

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

Charges for expenses incurred resulting from the pregnancy of a Participant commenced during the Policy Year (or within 30 days from it beginning), for a maximum period of 6 months following the birth of the child.

Eligibility for coverage under this category is based upon the conception date of the pregnancy, whether known or unknown to the Participant, and only when coverage has been in force for the entire term of the pregnancy.

Travel Coverage

Your plan includes travel coverage across the globe!

Travel within Canada: Unlimited duration

Travel outside of Canada for leisure (fun, personal): 120 days

Travel outside of Canada for school (i.e., co-op): Up to 184 days as long as 51% of the policy year is spent in Canada

Travel to your home country: 31 days max up to $10,000 coverage

Family Travel to your bedside (if you are hospitalized for more than 7 days) - $5,000 for airfare for 2 immediate family members.

You do not need to let studentVIP know when you are travelling.

Please ensure you have your Health Plan Card with you when you travel in the event you need to contact emergency assistance and or seek medical help.

NOTE: Students traveling for academic purposes are advised to purchase backpack coverage in addition to the travel coverage provided by the International plan. For more information, please click on the button above.

General Exclusions

While the medical & wellness plan is very inclusive, there are things that are not covered by the insurance.

If you are unsure if your medical or health care procedure will be covered by the plan, you can submit a pre-determination form before you receive your services or procedure.

Immigration Medical Exams including Medical Assessment fees, testing, imaging, or other services required for third-part exams

Medical expenses for a pre-existing medical condition that was not stable for 90 days before the coverage began

Services provided by a family member

An Illness or injury resulting from non-compliance with medical treatment or therapy that has been prescribed

participation in a criminal act or attempt to commit a criminal act, regardless of whether charges are laid or a conviction is obtained

Services, treatment or supplies that are:
i. not incurred as a result of an Emergency;
ii. not Medically Necessary;
iii. for cosmetic purposes only;
iv. elective in nature; or
v. experimental or investigative.

Pre-Determination Form

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy or contact studentVIP or Medavie Blue Cross.

International Plan Opt-Out Requirements

MSI Opt-out

Students that wish to opt-out of the International Health plan (with MSI) must do so during the opt-out period set by DSU.

Please be aware that if your MSI card does not cover you until August 31, 2024, you are only eligible to opt out of the month(s) that you are fully covered. The full International Health Plan fee will NOT be removed from your account unless your coverage under MSI is in place until August 31, 2024.

If your MSI card expires throughout the year, please obtain a new card ASAP. You will be opted-out again once we receive a copy of your new card. Back-dated opt-outs will not be provided.

Additionally, students who successfully opt-out with MSI are charged a mandatory one-time fee of $41 for the Companion Plan, as MSI does not cover you outside of Nova Scotia, therefore the companion plan covers when you travel.

Can I use MSI to opt-out of the Extended Health & Dental plan?

No, MSI is not an alternative for Extended Health and Dental. These two benefit plans supplement your Basic Health plan (or MSI coverage).

If you have comparable coverage (through work, spouse, parents, etc.) you can submit an opt-out for Extended Health & Dental during the appropriate opt-out period.

Once you opt-out, you cannot opt back in during the policy year (September 1 to August 31).

*Please note: If you benefit from the coverage provided by the International Health Plan (by making a claim), you are not eligible to opt out.

Government Sponsored Student Opt-Outs

If you are student on sponsorship through the Saudi Cultural Bureau, Libyan Government, CBIE or any other sponsored program you are still required to submit an opt-out application by the deadline.

Fall: August 8, 2023 – September 30, 2023

Winter: December 15, 2023 – January 22, 2024

Spring: April 15, 2024 - May 20, 2024

You must complete the opt-out application and attached a picture of your health insurance card from your sponsored program.

Please note that sponsored students who start in the fall term and are looking to opt-out of the DSU Extended Health & Dental Plan must submit a second opt-out application through dalonline.dal.ca during the opt-out period to cancel their other plan.

Exchange Student Opt-Outs

Exchange students who have private health insurance from their home University only are eligible to submit an opt-out application. If you have private insurance from your parents, spouse or work, it will not be accepted to opt out.

Your insurance coverage from your home university must include the following and you must provide a policy in English:

2 million dollars in coverage (CAD)

Be active for the entire duration of your study period

Include at minimum, coverage for hospitalization, outpatient care, surgery, lab tests, diagnostic tests, and repatriation

Your policy must not contain any exclusions for medical services including hospitalization relating to being under the influence (i.e. alcohol) or for self-harm, self-inflicted injury, attempted suicide or suicide whether sane or insane.

Exchange students who do not have private coverage, can opt-out and receive a refund for the months they are not on exchange at Dalhousie. You must email or visit the DSU Health Plan Office BEFORE the opt-out deadline to apply to opt-out for the applicable terms.

Fall: August 8, 2023 – September 30, 2023

Winter: December 15, 2023 – January 22, 2024

Spring: April 15, 2024 - May 20, 2024

Please note if you use the plan (make a claim) a refund will not be granted.

Private Insurance Opt-Outs

Your Private insurance coverage from your home country must include the explicit proof of the following and you must provide a policy in English.

Your insurance coverage from your home university must include the following and you must provide a policy in English:

2 million dollars in coverage (CAD)

Be active for the entire duration of your study period

Include at minimum, coverage for hospitalization, outpatient care, surgery, lab tests, diagnostic tests, and repatriation

Fall: August 8, 2023 – September 30, 2023

Winter: December 15, 2023 – January 22, 2024

Spring: April 15, 2024 - May 20, 2024

If you cannot provide proof of the above mentioned in detail from your insurance provider, your opt-out will not be considered and you will remain enrolled in the International Plan.
Please note if you use the plan (make a claim) a refund will not be granted.

Companion Plan

Group Policy 92654

The Companion Plan is a mandatory plan that International Students are required to purchase if they opt-out of the International Student Health Plan with Nova Scotia MSI Coverage. The cost of the Companion Plan is a one-time fee of $41.00. This fee is added to your student account.

Why do I need this Coverage?

Even though you have MSI, it is only valid in Nova Scotia. This means, if you leave the province of Nova Scotia for any period of time, you would be not have coverage for medical emergencies and therefore be exposed to high costs if you were to get sick or injured while outside of Nova Scotia. Additionally, when your provincial coverage is not in place (such as if you leave the province) the emergency travel coverage you may have through your DSU Health & Dental Benefits or through any other extended health plan will not be in effect as these plans require that provincial health care (or an equivalent plan) are in place.

What is covered?

Students are covered for 31 days outside of the province of Nova Scotia and outside of Canada (including their home country) for medical emergencies.

Companion Policy

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy or contact studentVIP or Medavie Blue Cross.

Understand Your Coverage

Know all benefits, limitations, and exclusions that apply.

Medical Coverage

You have coverage for emergent and urgent medical care such as:

This policy also includes coverage for lab tests such as blood work and diagnostic imaging such as x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI's and CT scans.

Mental Health Coverage

No matter what your mental health journey looks like, you have coverage through your plan to support your mental health care.

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

Transportation

The Medical & Wellness plan also includes coverage for various transportation needs including:

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click on the button at the top of the page to view your International Health Plan Policy.

Pregnancy & Maternity

The Medical & Wellness plan includes coverage for pregnancy, terminations (abortions), miscarriages, delivery and more.*

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

Travel Coverage

Your plan includes travel coverage across the globe!

General Exclusions

While the medical & wellness plan is very inclusive, there are things that are not covered by the insurance. If you are unsure if your medical or health care procedure will be covered by the plan, you can submit a pre-determination form before you receive your services or procedure.

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy or contact studentVIP or Medavie Blue Cross.

International Plan Opt-Out Requirements

MSI Opt-out

*Please note: If you benefit from the coverage provided by the International Health Plan (by making a claim), you are not eligible to opt out.

Government Sponsored Student Opt-Outs

If you are student on sponsorship through the Saudi Cultural Bureau, Libyan Government, CBIE or any other sponsored program you are still required to submit an opt-out application by the deadline.

Exchange Student Opt-Outs

Exchange students who do not have private coverage, can opt-out and receive a refund for the months they are not on exchange at Dalhousie. You must email or visit the DSU Health Plan Office BEFORE the opt-out deadline to apply to opt-out for the applicable terms.

Please note if you use the plan (make a claim) a refund will not be granted.

Private Insurance Opt-Outs

Your Private insurance coverage from your home country must include the explicit proof of the following and you must provide a policy in English. Your insurance coverage from your home university must include the following and you must provide a policy in English:

If you cannot provide proof of the above mentioned in detail from your insurance provider, your opt-out will not be considered and you will remain enrolled in the International Plan. Please note if you use the plan (make a claim) a refund will not be granted.

Companion Plan

Group Policy 92654

The Companion Plan is a mandatory plan that International Students are required to purchase if they opt-out of the International Student Health Plan with Nova Scotia MSI Coverage. The cost of the Companion Plan is a one-time fee of $41.00. This fee is added to your student account.

Why do I need this Coverage?

What is covered?

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy or contact studentVIP or Medavie Blue Cross.

While the medical & wellness plan is very inclusive, there are things that are not covered by the insurance.

If you are unsure if your medical or health care procedure will be covered by the plan, you can submit a pre-determination form before you receive your services or procedure.

Your Private insurance coverage from your home country must include the explicit proof of the following and you must provide a policy in English.

Your insurance coverage from your home university must include the following and you must provide a policy in English:

If you cannot provide proof of the above mentioned in detail from your insurance provider, your opt-out will not be considered and you will remain enrolled in the International Plan.
Please note if you use the plan (make a claim) a refund will not be granted.