UBC strongly recommends that all students—both domestic and international—have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies.
The BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the provincial government program that provides basic medical benefits.
Everyone living in British Columbia for more than six months is required to enrol in MSP, except students with existing coverage from another Canadian province or territory.
If you come to British Columbia without coverage under MSP or another provincial or territorial health plan and will be here for six months or longer, you should apply for MSP immediately upon your arrival.
As there is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage will start, you must ensure you have basic health insurance for those first three months in British Columbia. Canadian citizens or permanent residents are advised to join the Global Campus Health Plan during that three-month MSP waiting period.
If you are a UBC student registered in classes, you are automatically enrolled in the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. Extended health insurance covers up to 80% of the cost of prescription medicine, dental care, vision care, and travel insurance.
If you are an exchange student and you pay tuition at your home university, you are not automatically enrolled in the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. You may, however, be eligible to apply once you arrive at UBC. It is important that you have extended health and dental coverage while you are in Canada.
You can request to opt out of the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. If you register for Winter Term 1 and you want to opt out, you must do so within the change of coverage period.
There is different health insurance information for certain groups of students. See the plans, requirements, and application process specific to you.
