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International Medical Coverage
  • Coverage is mandatory for all international students attending Saint Mary's University.
  • 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 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.
  • Please download the My Peak mobile app for all of your health plan resources.

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.

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

 

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)


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

 
 

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 $5,000

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.

 
 

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. 

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

 
 

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-party 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      

This is not the full list, please review your policy for full details or contact Student VIP or Medavie Blue Cross.

 

Accident Coverage

What is an Accident?

An accident means an occurrence due to external, violent, sudden, fortuitous causes beyond the insured’s control, which must occur while the student is insured under this policy

Coverage Maximum $1,000 to $2,500

Accidental Dental Expense ($1,000)

Funeral Expense ($2,500)

Hospital Indemnity ($2,500)

Coverage Maximum $5,000

Bereavement Expense

Day-Care Indemnity

Family Transportation Expense

Tutorial Fees Expense (Education Indemnity)

Coverage Maximum $10,000

Death, Natural Causes

Death, Suicide

Accident Reimbursement Expense

Home Alteration and/or Vehicle Modification Expense

Coverage Maximum $15,000

Identification Expense

Occupational Training Expense

Rehabilitation Expense

Repatriation Expense

Seat-Belt Indemnity

Coverage Maximum $50,000

Death, Accident

Brain Death Indemnity

Cosmetic Disfigurement Indemnity

Accident Policy Brochure
 
 

International Plan Opt-Out Requirements

MSI Opt-out

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

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 Basic Plan fee will NOT be removed from your account unless your coverage under MSI is in place until August 31, 2024.

If you receive an updated MSI card throughout the academic year, you can contact the Health Plan office (healthplan.smusa@smu.ca) to determine which additional month(s) you may be eligible to opt-out of at that time.

Additionally, students who successfully opt-out with MSI are charged a mandatory one-time fee of $51 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).

Government Sponsored Student Opt-Outs

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

Fall: August 15, 2023 – September 25, 2023

Winter: December 15, 2023 – January 25, 2024

Spring: April 15, 2024 - May 25, 2024

You must complete the opt-out application and attach 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 SMUSA Extended Health & Dental Plan must submit a second opt-out application through Student VIP website during the opt-out period to cancel their other plan.

Private Coverage Opt-outs

Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA) does not allow for private coverage opt-outs.

Exchange Student Opt-Outs

Only exchange (or visiting) students with private coverage from their home university are eligible to submit an opt-out application. For the opt-out to be approved, in addition to completing the opt-out form, you need to provide either:

1. A letter from your home university (in English), that includes the following information:

  1. Student Name
  2. Policy Number
  3. Coverage Dates (must be valid for full duration of study/time in Canada)
  4. Is valued at a minimum of $2 million dollars Canadian
  5. Coverage for physician services, inpatient and outpatient expenses, surgery, lab tests, diagnostic imaging (x-rays), and repatriation (illness or death)
  6. The policy cannot exclude coverage for:
  7. Injury or death while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants or death due to self-harm, or attempted self-inflicted injury, attempted suicide, or suicide.

2. Or The full policy (in English) from your home university

No Home University Coverage

If an exchange student doesn’t have coverage from their home university or cannot meet the above requirements for opting-out, then they can apply for a partial refund of the Basic Health plan for the terms for which they will no longer be studying at SMU. However, this is only possible if they haven’t used the plan. Once a plan is used, no opt-out (or partial refunds) will be granted.

How does an exchange student apply for a partial refund?

They should complete and submit the “Opt-Out Exchange Student” form 3-4 weeks before the end of their term

They need to provide a plane ticket home as part of the application

If they are on a 4-month exchange their coverage would terminate at 11:59PM on December 31

If they are on an 8-month exchange their coverage would terminate at 11:59PM on April 30

If students plan to stay in Canada or travel before returning home, they would need to purchase additional coverage.

Opting-Out of the Extended Health & Dental plan

If an exchange student has comparable alternative coverage they may apply to opt-out of the extended health and dental benefits. For Exchange students that hold private coverage, their home university policy must hold coverage for prescription drugs and accidental dental while abroad.

Exchange students will be asked to provide proof of this coverage when they submit their opt-out application which includes:

Name of the primary insured person

Name of the other insurer

Policy/Certificate number

Insured Person’s name and relationship to you

The student can attach the required document(s) to the electronic form before submitting or email the required document(s) directly to the Health Plan office before the opt-out period deadline (healthplan.smusa@smu.ca)

 
 

Companion Plan

Group Policy 92651

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 $51.00. This fee is added to your student account.

Why do I need this Coverage?

Even though you have MSI, it does not cover certain expenses like repatriation, air evacuation, burial or other expensive emergency benefits and provides very limited coverage outside of Canada. The Companion Plan covers off these expenses so you can travel worry-free!

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 Rack Card

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

 

Coverage Questions?

If you have questions about your coverage, you can contact two offices for assistance:

Student VIP

 info@studentvip.ca

 1-888-918-5056

 Monday – Friday

 8:30am-4:30pm EST

 We can also be contacted via live chat from the button on our home page.

Medavie Blue Cross

Email: smu@medavie.bluecross.ca

Phone: 1-833-867-3468

 

Dual Citizens

If you are dual citizen, and hold a Canadian passport, you may not be automatically enrolled under the SMUSA International health Plan if you have applied to SMUSA as a Canadian Citizen.

In addition, you may not be eligible for Nova Scotia provincial health care (MSI) until you fulfill specific requirements.

In order to qualify for Nova Scotia Provincial Health Care (MSI), please see the following requirements below. Please note; these requirements are subject to change without notice. Please contact MSI directly to confirm your eligibility at 1-800-563-8880 / 902-496-7008 or msi@medavie.ca. You can also find more information by clicking Learn More.

International Student with Canadian Passport (Dual Citizen)

Eligible for MSI on the 1st day you arrive in Nova Scotia provided you have a valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Birth Certificate.

International Student Coming from another Canadian Province (Dual Citizen)

If you are an international dual citizen, but are coming to Nova Scotia from another Canadian Province, and not coming from abroad, you may be eligible for MSI on the 1st day of the third month that you are in Nova Scotia provided you have a valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Birth Certificate.

International Student Without Canadian Passport (Not A Dual Citizen)

Eligible for MSI on the 1st day of the 13th month that you have been in Nova Scotia & have not been outside of the province for more than consecutive 30 days.

Learn More

VIP Preferred Provider PLUS+

Preferred Provider Plus are providers that are offering more than 20% discount for their services. In order to access the discount, please show the practitioner your StudentVIP plan card.

Preferred Provider

Please use our provider search tool to find contact information for Preferred Providers offering discounts of up to 19%. Remember to present your Student VIP card to access these savings.



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