iMED: Temporary health insurance for international students

The iMED program is a temporary basic health insurance plan required as a condition of registering in one or more on-campus courses as an international student who is new to UBC. iMED provides you with basic health insurance during the three-month waiting period before you qualify for the British Columbia-government run Medical Services Plan (MSP), or for the duration of your studies if your program is shorter than 6 months, such as one-term exchange students.

The provider is David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS), located in Vancouver.

Visit the health insurance for international students page to learn about the differences between iMED, MSP, and the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan.

Who is eligible and how do I get enrolled? 

All new international students who are charged AMS/GSS student fees are automatically enrolled in iMED when you register in your first on-campus (in-person) course. Check your Workday Account Activity to confirm you are charged for iMED.

The iMED fee is called “iMed- UBC Vancouver” or “iMed- UBC Okanagan”. UBC Vancouver campus students will also be charged an “iMed Direct Billing” fee. 

If you do not see the iMED fee listed, contact International Student Advising.

Who is not eligible for iMED?

Returning UBC international students who previously had iMED coverage, students who are not assessed AMS/GSS student fees, students who register for off-campus (distance learning) courses only, and domestic students are not eligible for iMED.

If you will be enrolled in full-time studies, you should purchase private temporary insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan (GCHP). If you will be enrolled in part-time studies, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for information about “non-student” medical insurance plan options.

If you’re not enrolled in on-campus courses

UBC will not automatically charge iMED fees to new-to-UBC international students who register in off-campus (distance learning) courses only. When selecting your courses, please note that there are online courses which are not part of the distance learning program. Therefore, students who select online courses only could still be charged for iMED fees.

Upon registering for your first term of studies at UBC, you should check your Workday Account Activity to confirm if you have been charged student fees, which include iMED fees. The iMED fee is called “iMed- UBC Vancouver” or “iMed- UBC Okanagan”. UBC Vancouver campus students will also be charged an “iMed Direct Billing” fee.

If you are not charged iMED fees because you enrolled in off-campus (distance learning) courses only, and you plan to travel to Canada, or you are already in Canada without health insurance, you should purchase private temporary insurance following the instructions above. If you will be residing in British Columbia for 6 months or longer, you must submit an online application to enrol with the BC Medical Service Plan (MSP).

If you are charged iMED fees, you plan to complete your entire program of studies online while being physically outside Canada, and you have not been in or travelled to Canada at any time during your program at UBC, you should be eligible to opt out of iMED.

When am I covered?

iMED coverage dates are based on the type and duration of your program. iMED covers your first 3 months in Canada to cover the 3-month MSP waiting period, or the full duration of your studies if your program is shorter than 6 months, such as one-term exchange students.

You may also be covered while travelling from your home country or primary place of residence to Canada if your travel itinerary is 10 days or less and if your arrival date in Canada is not earlier than the earliest iMED coverage start date available for the first term of your UBC program.

Changing your iMED coverage dates

If you arrive in Canada before your iMED coverage start date

If you will arrive in Canada before the earliest iMED coverage start date available for your UBC program (for example, if your iMED coverage starts August 1 but you will travel in July), you should purchase extra coverage directly from David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS). Visit the Advance Coverage page for more information.

Advance Coverage should be purchased before you arrive in Canada. If you apply for Advance Coverage after your arrival in Canada, you might not be covered until the date of your purchase.

If you arrive in Canada later than the calendar month in which your iMED coverage starts

If you will arrive in Canada in the calendar month after your iMED coverage start date (for example, if your iMED coverage starts August 1 but you will travel in September), depending on the length of your studies at UBC, you might qualify to request an iMED coverage date change to David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS).

If you arrive in Canada but do not enter BC within the same calendar month

If you arrive in a Canadian province or territory other than British Columbia (BC), and do not enter BC within the same calendar month as your arrival in Canada, then you may need to purchase an iMED Extension in order to be covered for your full BC MSP waiting period. Please contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for assistance.

If you start your program online from outside Canada

You might be eligible to request that your iMED fees be shifted to your next academic term at UBC, and for your iMED coverage period to be changed to align with your 3-month waiting period for MSP.

To do so, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are a new-to-UBC international student
• You’re registered in one or more on-campus courses
• You’re enrolled in a UBC program that lasts two terms or longer
• You’ll study online from outside Canada during your first term of studies
• You’ll start on-campus study in the subsequent term

You must not have been in or travelled to Canada at any time during your first term of studies at UBC to qualify to request the iMED fees and coverage to be shifted to the next academic term.

You must submit the UBC iMED Fee Shift Request Form (pdf) to the iMED Coordinator through the International Student Advising online form. The request must be received by the add/drop deadline (last day to drop courses without a W standing) as per the UBC Academic Calendar.

Normal processing time is 2 to 8 weeks once required documents are received. In peak periods, the processing time can be longer.

In order to avoid extra charges and having your account put on hold, you should pay for your iMED fees if the tuition payment deadline is approaching and your request to have the iMED fees and coverage shifted is under review.

If your request is approved, the iMED fees and coverage period will be shifted to the next academic term. If the iMED costs increase, you will be charged the current iMED fees.

If your program is less than 6 months and you will leave Canada after your iMED coverage ends

If you were assessed iMED coverage for the entire duration of your studies and plan to stay in Canada after your iMED coverage dates, for example you are a one-term exchange student who wants to stay in Canada longer, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) or another private health insurance provider for options. Ensure you always have sufficient health insurance during your stay in Canada.

You also need to make sure you have valid immigration status in Canada – contact International Student Advising for support. 

How much does iMED cost?

As of August 1, 2023, iMED costs $237 for 3 months or $338 if you are a one-term exchange student.

Depending on your program and your period of studies at UBC, you might have iMED coverage for a specific number of months instead of the whole academic term (for example, if you will be enrolled for two months). In this case, iMED fees will be $79 per month.

UBC will automatically assess the iMED coverage period based on your program and your period of studies at UBC.

As of May 1, 2023, if you are a Vancouver campus student, you are also charged a one-time $10.54 direct billing fee so that eligible medical expenses can be billed directly to the Claims Administrator, MSH.

How do I get my iMED card?

After registering for your first on-campus course at UBC, David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) will automatically email your iMED card with the default coverage dates set for your program to the email address you provided to UBC.

When you will receive your iMED card will depend on when you register for on-campus courses with UBC. iMED cards will start to be emailed to students about 2 weeks before the coverage period starts. If you registered at a later date, the normal processing time is 2 weeks. In peak periods the processing time can be longer.

During your coverage dates, print your iMED card and keep it with you in case you need medical attention, along with your student ID and a copy of your study permit (if you have one). Consider saving a digital copy of your documents on your phone as well.

If you did not receive your iMED card by the start of the iMED coverage period, it might be because you have registered with UBC at a later date. If that is not the case, then check the inbox and junk-mail folders of the email address you provided to UBC to ensure you did not receive it, then email DCIS at imed@david-cummings.com. In your email, write “Missing iMED card” as the subject line, and in the message, you must include your name, UBC student number, and date of arrival in BC.

If your iMED card has incorrect information, email DCIS at imed@david-cummings.com. In your email write “Incorrect iMED card” as the subject line, and in the message, you must include your name, UBC student number, and date of arrival in BC.

How do I use my iMED insurance?

iMED covers emergency hospitalization and medical services for an unexpected sickness or injury, including treatment at a doctor’s clinic. While David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) is the company that handles iMED enrolment and general support, MSH Assistance handles claims and requests for pre-authorization of medical services.

Visit the iMED website to review the iMED policy for details of coverage, to learn how and when to contact MSH Assistance, and how to submit claims.

Accessing health care services

Students covered under iMED may seek medical care at any licensed medical clinic or hospital. Medical expenses that are eligible under the iMED policy can be submitted to MSH Assistance either directly by the medical facility, or by you. You are usually billed for treatment at a hospital after you are discharged from the hospital (when you have finished treatment), while you will likely be asked to pay up-front for consultations with a doctor.

If you need care at a hospital, you should always show your iMED card and your study permit (if you have one) when you are being admitted and ask if the hospital will agree to bill expenses to MSH. You must also notify MSH Assistance immediately with the policy number on your iMED card.

Important tips

• If you are hospitalized, you, or someone on your behalf, must contact MSH Assistance immediately with the policy number on your iMED card. Certain medical services require that you contact MSH Assistance to request pre-authorization. Examples include surgery, specialist consultation, and specialized diagnostic tests like MRI or CT scan.
• Carry a photocopy or digital copy of your study permit (if you have one), because you must present a copy of your study permit with your iMED card if you are treated at a hospital to ensure you are billed fees as a resident of BC.
• You don’t have to hold a study permit to use your iMED plan. If you or your dependents are in Canada as a visitor or worker and you or your dependents are enrolled in iMED, bring your iMED card, photo ID, and any immigration documents you have when seeking medical services.

Visit the iMED website to learn more about accessing health care.

Direct billing

Several health care providers near the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, including some emergency departments, recognize iMED health insurance and will bill eligible medical expenses directly to MSH, meaning you could have fewer or even no up-front medical costs to pay out of pocket. To access one of these “direct billing” facilities, you will need to show your iMED card, a piece of photo identification, and your study permit (if you have one).

If the reason you seek medical attention is not covered under the iMED policy, or if the clinic or pharmacy is unable to confirm the eligibility of the medical service you seek, you may be required to pay the clinic or pharmacy up front. In that case, you can still submit a claim to MSH Assistance to determine if your expense is eligible for coverage. Visit the iMED website to learn how to submit claims.

When a hospital or emergency clinic fee is billed directly to your iMED insurance, you may still be billed separately for related medical services, such as ambulance fees, laboratory tests, prescription medication, or specialist fees. If you are issued a medical bill, be sure to submit it promptly to MSH Assistance with a claim form.

You can show your iMED card for direct billing to MSH at the following medical clinics, emergency departments, and pharmacies.

Direct billing on-campus

Vancouver campus

• UBC Hospital Urgent Care Centre
• UBC Student Health Service
• The University Village Medical and Dental Clinic (2 locations on-campus)
• University Pharmacy

Okanagan campus

• UBC Student Health Clinic

Direct billing off-campus

Vancouver

• Vancouver General Hospital Emergency Room

Okanagan

• Kelowna General Hospital Emergency Room
• Turtle Bay Medical Clinic
• Orchard Medical Centre and Walk-In Clinic
• West Kelowna Medical Clinic
• Academy Hill Medical Clinic
• Whitefoot Medical Clinic (near Big White Ski Resort)
• Lyte Medical (Telemedicine Clinic)

Map of iMED direct billing locations on- and off-campus

• Vancouver direct billing network (Google Maps)
• Okanagan direct billing network (Google Maps)

Opting out of iMED

You can apply to opt out of iMED if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You are already covered by iMED, BC MSP or by another Canadian provincial or territorial health plan before the iMED coverage start date (August 1 for Winter Term 1 and December 1 for Winter Term 2).
• The third-party organization which is funding your studies requires, and has selected and purchased a basic health insurance plan on your behalf as part of its funding. It must be a formal organization such as a government body, corporation, organization or foundation, not your parents or family members.
• You will complete your entire program of studies online while being physically outside Canada, and you have not been in or travelled to Canada at any time during your program at UBC.

Conditions to opt out from iMED

Students who have made a claim or have a pending claim on their iMED policy are not eligible to opt out of iMED.

Students who have enrolled dependents onto their iMED plan are not eligible to opt out of iMED.

Deadline to apply to opt out from iMED

Opt out applications must be received by the add/drop deadline (last day to drop courses without a W standing) as per the UBC Academic Calendar.

Normal processing time is 2 to 8 weeks once required documents are received. In peak periods, the processing time can be longer. 

To avoid extra charges and having your account on hold, you should pay for your iMED fees if the tuition payment deadline is approaching and your request to opt out of iMED is under review.

If your request is approved, the iMED fees will be credited to your tuition account. If you are a one-term student who has already paid for iMED fees, UBC will refund you the amount through the same means used for payment. Contact an Enrolment Services Advisor (ESA) if you have questions about receiving the iMED refund payment from UBC.

Enrol your family for iMED

Your spouse, partner, or dependent children can also be covered by David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for the duration of their stay or until they qualify for MSP. Your family members’ insurance is not administered by UBC, but you can purchase iMED for them directly through DCIS. If you are not covered by iMED at the moment, you can inquire about other health insurance options for your dependents.

If you add your family member(s) to your iMED account, you cannot opt out or cancel your iMED unless you withdraw your family from the iMED plan before the coverage starts. This also applies to advance coverage. 

If you have questions

• For questions about iMED coverage, getting your iMED card, or submitting claims, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS). 
• If you have any other questions related to international health insurance, connect with International Student Advising.

International Student Guide

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.