FAQs

I. Enrolment, Opt Outs, coverage date changes, and extensions

  1. How do I know if I am enrolled?
  2. How much does iMED cost?
  3. What if I already have other insurance?
  4. Can I Opt Out of iMED, and if so, how?
  5. When my iMED coverage expires, am I automatically covered by BC MSP?
  6. If I am not eligible for MSP, how can I extend my iMED coverage?
  7. How can I change my coverage dates to cover my three-month waiting period for MSP?

II. Coverage for dependent family members

  1. Can I get coverage for my family members?
  2. How much does iMED cost for my dependents and how do I pay for it? 

III. The iMED Card

  1. Where do I get my iMED card?
  2. What should I do if I need to go to the doctor or hospital, but haven't received an iMED card?
  3. What should I do if there is incorrect information on my iMED card?

IV. Claims and Direct Billing

  1. If I paid for a doctor visit or for prescription medication, how do I get my money back?
  2. Which clinics can bill iMED directly, so that I don’t have to pay up front? 
  3. Which pharmacies can bill iMED directly, so that I don’t have to pay up front?

V. Coverage (iMED vs. MSP vs. AMS/GSS)

  1. What does iMED cover?
  2. If I need help understanding what is covered by iMED, whom may I address?
  3. What is the difference between iMED and MSP?
  4. What is the difference between iMED and the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan?
  5. Are birth control medications covered? 
  6. Am I covered while playing sports or participating in recreational activities?

VI. Information Resources

  1. Where can I get more information about iMED?


Answers to FAQs

I. Enrolment, Opt Outs, coverage date changes, and extensions

  1. How do I know if I am enrolled?

    Once you have registered for your first class, log in to your account on the UBC online student service centre and look for IMED or IMD1 in your statement of fees. If you do not see either fee but think you should have iMED, contact an international student advisor for assistance. (Please note: Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada are not covered by iMED.)

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  2. How much does iMED cost?

    New international and exchange students are automatically billed their iMED fees by UBC at the time they register for their first class. One-term exchange students are billed $170 for iMED coverage for the duration of their four month exchange. All other new international students are billed $120 for iMED coverage during the three month waiting period before they become eligible for MSP.

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  3. What if I already have other insurance?

    If you are already covered by MSP, by another Canadian provincial health plan, or by mandatory health insurance provided by third-party sponsors with whom UBC has an agreement, you can Opt Out of iMED before the end of your third week of classes at UBC. After the third week of classes you cannot Opt Out. Please note that having other private insurance does not make you eligible to Opt Out of iMED. For Opt Out instructions and forms, visit the Opting Out page.

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  4. Can I Opt Out of iMED, and if so, how?

    Go to the Opting Out page to find out if you are eligible to Opt Out of iMED. Depending on your reason for opting out, you will either need to submit your request to DCIS or to UBC.

    If eligible for an opt out be sure to:

    1. Use the form that matches your reason for opting out
    2. Include the required proof documents
    3. Read the directions on your opt out form about where to send your request
    4. Submit your Opt Out form before the end of your third week of classes at UBC.

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  5. When my iMED coverage expires, am I automatically covered by BC MSP?

    No, you are not automatically covered by MSP; eligible students must apply for it by mailing or faxing an MSP application form to the BC Ministry of Health Services. Application forms are available at International House and at the MSP website. (Note: One-term exchange students are not eligible for MSP and do not need to apply for it.)

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  6. If I am not eligible for MSP, can I extend my iMED coverage?

    Students who are not eligible for MSP may extend their iMED coverage if they remain registered UBC students during the extension period. To apply, submit the iMED extension application form to DCIS with your payment.

    Please note:
    • If your iMED coverage has already expired, your new coverage will begin on the date we receive your extension application and payment.
    • iMED coverage extensions are not offered for more than one month for travel after a student's study term. Other insurance options are offered by DCIS for leisure travel.

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  7. How can I change my coverage dates to cover my three-month waiting period for MSP?

    Read the Coverage Dates page, and submit the Date Change Request Form to DCIS with proof of the date you arrived in BC. Date Change Request forms must be received by DCIS by the end of the third week of classes.

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II. Coverage for dependent family members

  1. Can I get coverage for my dependent family members?

    Yes. You may purchase iMED coverage for your spouse/partner and/or your dependent children under the age of 25. Read the Family Members page , and submit the appropriate application form with your payment to DCIS.

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  2. How much does iMED cost for my dependents and how do I pay for it?

    The cost depends on whether you have:

    a) enrolled your dependent(s) for the same coverage dates as yours or;

    b) enrolled your dependents for a different period

    The rates are listed on the two types of application forms for enrolling dependent family members:

    a) Add Dependents to Same Coverage Dates Form;
    b) iMED – Custom Order for Family Members Form

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III. The iMED Card

  1. Where do I get my iMED card?

    Your iMED card will be emailed to you at the email address provided to DCIS by UBC. You will need to print the document attached to that email and cut out your iMED card.

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  2. What should I do if I need to go the doctor or hospital, but haven't received an iMED card?

    In a medical emergency, the priority is to get medical treatment as quickly as possible. In this case you would be billed for the medical service.  As soon as you are able to, notify DCIS or an international student advisor that you have received medical treatment and need your iMED insurance documents to make a claim.

    If it is not an emergency, first check whether you are covered by iMED by going to the online student service centre (SSC) and looking for IMED or IMD1 in your statement of fees.

    If you do not see either fee code in your statement of fees, contact an international student advisor to confirm that you are eligible for iMED coverage.

    If you see one of these fee codes in your statement of fees, contact DCIS to request your iMED card and to confirm that DCIS has your correct email address.

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  3. What should I do if there is incorrect information on my iMED card?

    Contact DCIS at DCIS. In the email, please write “Incorrect iMED card” as the subject.  In the message, include your name, student number, date of arrival in BC, and description of the error you detected on the card.

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IV. Claims and Direct Billing

  1. If I paid for a doctor's visit or prescription medications, how do I get my money back?

    You must mail all original receipts, along with a Medical Claim Form, to Norfolk Mobility Benefits Inc.:

    Norfolk Mobility Benefits Inc..
    Suite 1100, 940 - 6 Ave. SW
    Calgary, AB T2P 3T1

    Include receipts for payment(s) to a doctor/clinic, for prescription medication at a pharmacy, for a lab test or x-ray, or for treatment at the out-patient emergency ward of a hospital. Before you mail original documents, make copies for your own records.

    If you have already paid for a doctor's visit and did not have the doctor complete the claim form for you, you may complete it yourself. You must describe the reason for your visit and summarize the diagnosis provided by the doctor.

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  2. Which clinics can bill iMED directly, so that I don't have to pay up front?

    Please Note:
    • These clinics will bill your iMED insurance only for expenses that are covered on the iMED plan.
    • You are not required to receive treatment at the clinics named above. The clinics and doctors listed above offer the added convenience of billing your medical expenses to your iMED insurance directly so you do not have to pay up front.

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  3. Which pharmacies can bill iMED directly, so that I don't have to pay up front?

    • University Pharmacy located in the UBC Village
    • Safeway Pharmacy located on West 10th Ave., between Tolmie St. and Sasamat St.
    Please Note:
    • These pharmacies will bill your iMED insurance only for expenses that are covered on the iMED plan.
    • You are not required to purchase your prescription medication from the pharmacies listed above. The pharmacies listed above offer the added convenience of billing your prescription expenses to your iMED insurance directly so you do not have to pay up front.

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V. Coverage (iMED vs. MSP vs. AMS/GSS)

  1. What does iMED cover?

    iMED covers emergency hospitalization and medical services (including out-patient treatment at a doctor's clinic) for an unexpected sickness or injury. The full list of benefits and coverage limits, conditions, and exclusions are in the Policy Wording.  A summary of insurance benefits is on the Coverage page.

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  2. If I need help understanding what is covered by iMED, whom may I address?

    You can phone a representative at DCIS at 604-228-8816 or email your questions to: DCIS.

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  3. What is the difference between iMED and MSP?

    Both iMED and MSP are basic health care plans that cover hospital and medical expenses.

    iMED is a temporary private health plan to cover students during their waiting period for MSP, or for the full length of their study period if they do not qualify for MSP (e.g. one-term exchange students).

    • iMED includes some benefits not offered by MSP (such as coverage of ambulance services and prescription medication)
    • The coverage for hospital and doctor fees under iMED is very comprehensive, but is subject to limitations and exclusions.

    MSP is the public (BC government’s) health plan; if you live in BC for six months or longer, you are required by law to enroll in this plan.  You become eligible after living in BC for three months, but you should apply as soon as you arrive, as processing times can be long.

    • The coverage for hospital and doctor fees under MSP is subject to different limitations and exclusions than the iMED plan. Also, medical expenses covered under MSP are billed direct to an MSP "Care Card" whereas under iMED you may need to pay first for medical expenses and then claim for reimbursement.
    • Visit www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca for more detailed information.

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  4. What is the difference between iMED and the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan?

    The AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan is an extended plan, and does not cover basic health services at a hospital or doctor clinic. The AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan is a supplement to the basic health coverage of iMED and MSP.

    The AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan covers you for the duration of your study program.

    iMED provides new international students coverage for the three-month waiting period before they become eligible for MSP, with the exception of one-term exchange students, who are covered by iMED for the full duration of their exchange.

    For full information about the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan, visit www.ihaveaplan.ca and select “University of British Columbia (AMS/GSS).”

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  5. Are birth control medications covered?

    No. Please see the list of General Exclusion #3 in the policy wording.

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  6. Am I covered while playing sports or participating in recreational activities?

    You are covered for most recreational sports, but you are not covered for the following sports and activities:

    “mountaineering, scuba diving, rock or precipice climbing, hang gliding, paragliding, sport parachuting, sky diving, athletic or sports activities for remuneration or prize money, or while riding or driving in or on any motorized vehicle or device in any race of speed contest.”

    See General Exclusion #8 in the policy wording.

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VI. Information Resources

  1. Where can I get more information about iMED?

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