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 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 Serives (DCIS) for information about "non-student" medical insurance plan options.

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.

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.

Before the iMED coverage start date

If the change in your immigration status happens before the iMED coverage start date (August 1 for Winter Term 1 and December 1 for Winter Term 2), the iMED fees will automatically be removed from your UBC tuition account.

If you have received an iMED card by email, the coverage has been cancelled and will not be provided to you. Please do not use the iMED card to seek medical care while you are in Canada.

If you are not already covered under the BC MSP provincial health insurance:

• 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 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).

Between the iMED coverage start date and the add/drop deadline for the term that iMED was assessed

If the change in your immigration status happens between the iMED coverage start date (August 1 for Winter Term 1 and December 1 for Winter Term 2) and the add/drop deadline (last day to drop courses without a W standing) as per the UBC Academic Calendar, iMED fees will manually be reinstated to your UBC tuition account.

You will receive your iMED card by email, and the coverage will continue to be provided. Learn more about how to use your iMED insurance.

If you are already covered by the 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), you should be eligible to opt out of iMED.

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).

After the add/drop deadline for the term that iMED was assessed

If the change in your immigration status happens after the add/drop deadline (last day to drop courses without a W standing) as per the UBC Academic Calendar, iMED fees will automatically be kept in your UBC tuition account.

You will receive your iMED card by email, and the coverage will continue to be provided. Learn how to use your iMED insurance.

If you are already covered by the 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), you should be eligible to opt out of iMED.

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).

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)

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.

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’re not sure what other resources are available to you, answer a few questions and get a list of support options specific to your needs. 

Find your options