Global Campus Health Plan

About the Global Campus Health Plan

The Global Campus Health Plan (GCHP), provided through David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS), offers insurance coverage at a low cost.

The plan covers students during: 

  • The waiting period for provincial or territorial coverage in Canada, such as the 3-month wait period for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP), or 
  • For the entire duration of your study term if you are not eligible for MSP.

As of January 1, 2021, the Global Campus Health Plan is also called the AGA International Students to Canada Plan.

Who needs the plan?

You will need valid health insurance for every day you spend in Canada. You should apply for the plan if you are not eligible for the iMED health insurance or you're waiting for your BC MSP coverage.

You are not required to choose this plan or company and can choose other insurance providers. Be sure to carefully review what is covered and the costs. It’s important to always have adequate coverage during your 3-month MSP waiting period or to cover your stay in Canada if you are not eligible for MSP.  

If you're not eligible for iMED

You may be ineligible for iMED because:

  • You are enrolled in a program that does not require paying student fees.
  • You are enrolled in off-campus (distance learning) courses only.
  • You are a permanent resident or a citizen of Canada paying domestic student tuition and fees.
  • You were previously enrolled in iMED.

If you are not eligible for iMED, it is your responsibility to obtain temporary basic health insurance to cover you during the 3-month waiting period for MSP, or to cover the full duration of your program of studies if you are studying for less than 6 months. The Global Campus Health Plan provides coverage in place of iMED.

If you're waiting for your BC MSP

To remain eligible for the BC MSP, you need to live in British Columbia for a minimum of 6 months in one calendar year. If you are absent from BC for more than 6 months, you may need to reapply when you return to the province and go through the approximately 3-month waiting period again. If that is the case, consider applying for the Global Campus Health Plan to cover you during the MSP waiting period.
 

Coverage

Insurance costs

As of December 1, 2023, the Global Campus Health Plan costs $2.40 per person per day. If you apply for a new policy, there is a $30 minimum premium.

Eligibility requirements

You can enroll in the Global Campus Health Plan if you meet all of the following requirements and some other additional requirements:

  • You are an international or domestic student.
  • You are registered and attending classes as a full-time student.
  • You are not yet insured or eligible for benefits under a Canadian provincial or territorial government health insurance plan.

There are additional eligibility requirements listed on the application form available on the Global Campus Health Plan page. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria or if you are a part-time student, UBC employee, visiting instructor, postdoctoral fellow, or other non-student affiliate and need temporary hospital and medical coverage, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for information about "non-student" medical insurance plan options.

How to apply

Apply for the Global Campus Health Plan before or as soon as you arrive in BC. You will need valid health insurance for every day you spend in Canada.

Complete the application form available on the Global Campus Health Plan page and email or fax it to the contact information at the bottom of the form.

If your spouse, partner, and/or dependent children will be residing with you in Canada during your period of studies, you may apply to enrol them as dependents on your Global Campus Health Plan policy.

You'll receive a Global Campus Health Plan card to the email you provided on your application form.

If you have questions

Additional resources

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