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Important information for Canadian students |
Undergraduate Supplemental Insurance Plans (SSMU or MCSS) | Graduate Supplemental Insurance Plan (PGSS)Ìý´¥ÌýMcGill’s International Student Health Insurance Plan (IHI)Ìý´¥ÌýMACES Health and Dental Plan (Continuing Studies) Ìý´¥ÌýLeave of Absences / Internships

Important information for Canadian students

Canadian students from outside the province of Quebec should check with their own provincial Medicare office to ensure the validity of their health coverage while studying at McGill.

If you are a recent permanent resident of Canada or a Canadian citizen who has been living abroad, you may not be eligible for provincial health insurance coverage, or you may have to wait for three months after your arrival to qualify. To ensure adequate health insurance coverage, you should enroll in the group plan offered through International Student Services.

Students without valid Canadian Medicare should refer to McGill’s International Health Insurance Plan section below or visit the International Student Services insurance site. If a Canadian student chooses to opt-in to the University’s plan, they will still be charged the supplemental health and dental portions of their respective student society’s insurance plan. Students may wish to stay enrolled in the supplemental health plan as there are extended benefits which may be of interest. Students, who opt-out of the supplemental health plan, cannot join this plan until the next academic year. Students should evaluate their own situation prior to making a decision to opt-out.

Students must have either valid provincial healthcare or an equivalent plan (such as McGill’s International Health Insurance Plan) in order to use any supplemental health plans offered through their student society.

Undergraduate Supplemental Insurance Plans (SSMU or MCSS)

Canadian undergraduate students registered in a Fall* semester are automatically covered by their respective society's Supplemental Health and Dental Plan (SSMU or MCSS). The cost of these plans in 2024-25 for students registering as of the Fall is as follows::

• Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) - $345.00
• Macdonald Campus Students' Society (MCSS) - $262.97

International students are enrolled in the dental insurance plan and are required to pay the following premiums:

• Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) - $150.00
• Macdonald Campus Students' Society (MCSS) - $163.55

* Students entering the University in the Winter semester are also automatically covered by their society's Supplemental Health and Dental Plan, and pay 2/3 of the annual coverage cost. For more information please refer to the appropriate society's Health and Dental Plan brochure found in the Forms and Documents section of our site.

For details on what is covered by the plan, as well as opt-out procedures and deadlines, please refer to the information contained at .

Graduate Supplemental Insurance Plan (PGSS)

Canadian graduate students registered in a full-time or additional session/non-thesis extension term, as well as all students in a thesis evaluation term or who are Post-doctoral candidates* who enroll on or before September 29, 2024, are automatically covered by their society's Supplemental Health and Dental Plan (PGSS). The PGSS insurance plan is a two-tiered system where students are able to choose between an Enhanced and a Basic Health and Dental plan. Students are automatically covered by the Enhanced plan but may choose to either opt for the Basic plan (Health or Dental with lower coverage at a lower cost) or opt-out entirely, this allows for 9 possible coverage combinations. In 2024–2025, the cost of these plan options is outlined below. Eligible students not charged automatically for insurance fees can choose to enroll themselves during the appropriate Change-of-Coverage period. For more information on what is covered by this plan, as well as enrolment, opt-out procedures, and deadlines, please refer to the information contained at towards mid-August.

Eligible international students are automatically enrolled in the Enhanced Dental insurance plan and can choose to opt for the Basic plan or opt-out entirely.

The premiums for 2024–2025* are as follows (for single coverage):

• Enhanced Health Plan: $450.00
• Basic Health Plan: $400.00
• Enhanced Dental Plan: $230.00
• Basic Dental Plan: $180.00

Post-docs who are unionized are not subject to PGSS fees. If you are unsure of your Post-doc status and whether you are a PGSS member please refer to the .

*Students entering the University in the Winter semester are also automatically covered by their society's Supplemental Health and Dental Plan, and pay 2/3 of the annual coverage cost. For more information please refer to the PGSS Health and Dental Plan brochure found in the Forms and Documents section of our site..

MACES Health and Dental Plan (Continuing Studies)

All Canadian citizens and permanent residents registered in a minimum of one 3 credit course are automatically enrolled in the MACES Health & Dental Plan*. The plan is designed to complement existing provincial Medicare or international health insurance plan to provide for services needed by students that are currently not covered.  These include vision care, prescriptions, dental care, travel health coverage, and diagnostic services. In 2024–2025, the cost of this plan is $299 (single coverage) for students registering for the fall term**.

International students are automatically registered for the Blue Cross International Student Health plan upon registration to McGill. This plan is administered by International Student Services. International students are registered only for the MACES Dental Plan, not for the Health and Vision Plan and are charged $149 for the year.

The MACES Health & Dental Plan is administered by the Quebec Student Health Alliance. More comprehensive information on exact policy coverage can be found at the ASEQ website or by calling (514) 844-4423.  For more information on enrolment in the plan including extension of coverage to dependents, opt-out procedures, and deadlines, please refer to the information on this plan at in August.   Brochures are also always available at the MACES building. 

* The MACES health and dental insurance is opt-outable on website.

** Students entering the University in the Winter semester are also automatically covered by their society's Supplemental Health and Dental Plan, and pay 2/3 of the annual coverage cost. For more information please refer to the appropriate society's Health and Dental Plan brochure found in the Forms and Documents section of our site.

McGill’s International Student Health Insurance Plan (IHI)

By McGill Senate regulation, ALL students who do not have Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status, as well as their accompanying dependents, must participate in a compulsory health insurance plan administered by the University. This policy applies as well to students who may be exempt from international fees. For more information, visit the International Student Services insurance site. The Medavie Blue Cross premium rates for 2024–2025 are:

• Single: $1,047.00
• Dependent: $3,216.00
• Family: $6,111.00

All International students registered as of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½app4, 2024 (midnight) will be billed the International Health Insurance (IHI) fee on their August eBill. Payment is due for the IHI fee on August 31st 2024.

You may activate your IHI contract on Minerva as of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½appst 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year. If you do not activate your IHI contract by the end of September 2024, the ISS office will automatically activate it for you early October 2024 to the default annual single coverage. The ISS office will share all IHI contracts with Medavie Blue Cross at that time to ensure you have a valid and active IHI contract during 2024-2025 academic year.

If you miss the deadline to add your dependents to your plan, please contact for assistance.

Students who are eligible for exemptions or who are interested in adding their dependents, may do so between ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½appst and September 30th on Minerva (Minerva -> Student -> International Student Health Insurance Coverage Form)(December 1st for the Winter term).

Exemptions must be requested no later than the deadlines indicated in the second column in table below, in order to avoid interest on the health insurance fee. Exemption categories and procedures can be found on International Student Services insurance site.  Please note that some exemptions may be valid for one year only and would need to be renewed annually.  Late exemption requests will only be applied for the following term(s).

McGill’s International Health Insurance plan provides coverage of a provincial plan replacement similar to that of Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec(RAMQ) and a supplemental plan. To learn more about the plan’s benefits and exclusions, please consult the Medavie Blue Cross handbook.

All inquiries concerning the McGill’s International Student Health Insurance plan should be directed to:

Email:

Leave of Absences / Internships

When on an official leave of absence or a 0 credit internship, if you wish to be covered by the undergraduate (graduate) supplemental health insurance you must contact your respective campus-wide student association (e.g., Students' Society of McGill University, Macdonald Campus Students' Society, Post-Graduate Students’ Society) to make arrangements. Note that there will be additional student society fees (both of your campus-wide society and the base fee of your faculty association) to be paid to be considered a member eligible for the insurance plans.

If you wish to be covered by the University’s international health insurance, you are advised to contact International Student Services regarding individual circumstances.