FAQs

I. 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?

II. 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?

III. Coverage

  1. What does iMED cover?
  2. If I need help understanding what is covered by iMED, whom may I address?
  3. Are birth control medications covered? 
  4. Am I covered while playing sports or participating in recreational activities?

Answers to FAQs

I. 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 that you have received medical treatment and need your iMED insurance documents to make a claim.

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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, UBC student number, UBC Department, date of arrival in BC, and description of the error you detected on the card.

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II. 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 send all medical expense receipts, along with a Medical Claim Form, to MSH International (Canada) Ltd. The reason / medical diagnosis for each medical expense must be indicated, be it on an itemized receipt or else on the claim form itself.

    If your claim is under USD $10,000 it may be faxed or emailed to initiate processing, however the original hard copies must be retained by you for a period of 24 months after the claim was incurred. MSH may request copies of the original receipts at any time to validate your reimbursement.

    To process a claim of over USD $10,000 MSH must receive your original claim documents in hard copy and before mailing original documents, make copies for your own records.

    The deadline for submitting claims is 365 days after the date of the medical expense or 90 days after the end of your insurance policy, whichever is earlier. Submit all claims as quickly as possible.

    Tip! Write your name on the claim form as it appears on your insurance ID card.

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

    On UBC Campus (University Endowment Lands):

    Off Campus

    Vancouver:


    Please Note:
    • International Student Medical Insurance does not cover routine dental care. It only covers certain types of Emergency Dental Services for unforeseen incidents such as:
      - Dental injury from an accidental blow to the face
      - Sudden onset of acute dental pain (for example an abscess or infection) that requires treatment within 48 hours of the onset of pain
      - Some plans include $100 coverage for treatment of an impacted wisdom tooth
    • 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?

    Please Note:

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III. Coverage

  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 iMED Wording which is available to download from the Coverage page.

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

    For general information about what is covered, you can phone a representative at DCIS at 604-228-8816 or email your questions to: DCIS.  To get a 'pre-approval' of a specific medical treatment or test, contact MSH INTERNATIONAL at 1 (800) 808-2694 or write to mshassistance@mshassistance.com .

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  3. Are birth control medications covered?

    No. For reference see the list of General Exclusions in the iMED Wording

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  4. 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:

    Scuba diving at a depth greater than 15 meters, rock or precipice climbing at a height greater than 15 meters, 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.

    For reference see the list of General Exclusions in the iMED Wording.

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