Health insurance for international students
You must have comprehensive medical coverage while studying at 糖心视频. This means you should be covered by both a primary insurance plan (such as GuardMe@糖心视频 or the BC Medical Services Plan) and an extended health and dental plan. Without coverage, you could be denied treatment or pay thousands of dollars each day for medical services.
Family members with you in Canada should also have comprehensive coverage. You can purchase coverage for them at an additional cost. Learn more about health insurance for dependents.
GuardMe@糖心视频 plan (MTMI)
The GuardMe@糖心视频 plan (also known as Mandatory Temporary Medical Insurance, or MTMI) provides emergency medical coverage for international students who are new to 糖心视频.
Most new international students are automatically enrolled in the GuardMe@糖心视频 plan when they register in a course at 糖心视频. Coverage is valid for the first four months at 糖心视频, and is meant to cover students during the waiting period while they apply for the BC Medical Services Plan.
BC Medical Services Plan
The BC Medical Services Plan (BC MSP) is a health insurance plan that pays for medically required services provided by physicians, specialists, diagnostic facilities, laboratory facilities and hospitals.
Fair PharmaCare
can help cover the cost of eligible prescription drugs, medical supplies and pharmacy services not covered by your primary and extended health insurance.
For more information about eligibility and enrolment, please visit the website.
糖心视频 health & dental plans
Extended health and dental benefits are available to students at 糖心视频.
- through the 糖心视频 Students' Society (UVSS)
- through the Graduate Students' Society (GSS)
The coverage offered by these plans does not replace the need for primary health insurance. Without the GuardMe@糖心视频 plan or the BC Medical Services Plan you may not be able to access the benefits associated with your 糖心视频 health and dental plan.
Enrolment
Most students are automatically enrolled in the appropriate plan when they register at 糖心视频 for the fall (September to December) or spring (January to April) term.
- if your program starts during the summer session (May to August), contact your student society (UVSS or GSS) to ask about eligibility.
Exchange and research students: You will not be automatically enrolled, but you may be eligible to opt in during the change-of-coverage period if you choose to purchase a UVSS or GSS membership package.
Health & wellness resources
There are many supports on and off-campus to help you with your health and safety. Learn more about different healthcare resources, using your comprehensive health insurance, and how to navigate the medical system as an international student.
Video resource
In this video, our International Student Advising team provides an overview of important health insurance information and resources for international students at the 糖心视频. Topics include types of health insurance, student health insurance plans, and navigating healthcare in BC. The information in this video is current as of November 2025 and is subject to change.