NOTEWORTHY
What do I like best about OCAD? "The programs are so diverse and give you so much flexibility."
Can I give you piece of advice? "Don’t underestimate the work load. It’s a lot harder than you think, mentally and physically. Don’t be afraid to try new media and try all the different types of classes you can. Mix media!"
~ Aanchal M., Second-year Printmaking
HEALTH & MEDICAL
What is the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)?
The University Health Insurance Plan, or UHIP as it is known, is a mandatory health plan for all international students studying in Ontario. UHIP is a primary insurance plan that provides basic medical coverage for most doctor and hospital services in Ontario. The insurance is effective from September 1st each year until August 31st of the following year.
The cost for 12 months of coverage for a single student in 2012/2013 is $684. Family coverage (for spouses and children) is also available. The UHIP fee is added to your student fees account at the time you register and OCAD will enroll you in the plan.
The UHIP enrollment process must be repeated each and every academic year that you will be attending OCAD.
You can get further details on the plan by visiting the UHIP website.
How do I get my UHIP card?
You should pick up your UHIP card in September from the International Student Services Office on Level 1 at 51 McCaul Street. It is very important to carry this card with you at all times.
When you visit a clinic or hospital, you must show your UHIP card. Some hospitals and clinics will submit the request for payment directly to the insurance company and you will not need to pay for the medical services at the time of your visit.
If the hospital or clinic is not able to request payment directly from the insurance company, you will have to pay for the medical services at the time of your visit. If you make a payment to a hospital or clinic, be sure to get a receipt from them. You should then send the receipt and a claim form to the insurance company so that you can be reimbursed for your expenses.
Claim forms are available from the International Student Services Office or can be downloaded from the UHIP website.
What does UHIP pay for?
- An annual physical examination
- An annual eye examination (only for those under 20 years old, or those over 64 years old)
- Doctor's appointments and medical tests that are ordered by doctors (X-rays, surgery)
- Some of the fee charged for an ambulance, for emergency only. If you use the ambulance as a 'taxi' (in a non-emergency situation), you will pay the entire $360.00 fee
- Hospitalization fees in a standard ward only (Not for private or semi-private rooms)
- In-hospital dental care (if medically warranted and pre-approved by the insurer)
- Some of the fees charged by after-hours clinics and walk-in clinics
- Maternity and delivery costs
- UHIP will provide coverage if you arrive with a pre-existing condition such as pregnancy, a heart condition, diabetes, and other conditions
- Repatriation costs up to $ 20,000.00
- UHIP provides only a very small amount of medical coverage when outside of Canada: ($50 to $200). Therefore, you should buy supplemental health insurance if you are planning to travel outside Canada as medical costs in some countries can be very expensive. A popular student choice for purchasing supplemental health insurance is Travel Cuts.
What is NOT paid for by UHIP?
- Routine dental care
- Eye examinations (for those between 20-64 years of age), or other vision care needs
- Prescription medicine
- Physiotherapy and chiropractic care
- Hospital coverage for private or semi-private hospital rooms
These items MAY be covered through your Student Health & Dental Plan.
What is the Student Health & Dental Plan?
In addition to UHIP coverage, all full-time students are automatically enrolled in OCAD’s Student Health & Dental Plan, which provides extended health coverage, as well as routine dental care. This plan is separate from UHIP.
If you have questions about your Student Health & Dental plan, please contact Kelly Faller.
What should I do if I get sick?
- Visit the OCAD Health & Wellness Centre
Student Centre, 51 McCaul Street, Level 2
Phone: 416-977-6000, extension 260
- Visit a Walk-in Medical Clinic
Walk-in clinics are available for people who have medical problems that may need immediate attention but are not life-threatening. You do not need an appointment. You may not always see the same doctor each time you go.
The following walk-in clinics in Toronto will accept UHIP:
Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics
790 Bay Street, Suite 108 (Bay and College)
Phone: 416-929-1900
College-Care Walk-In Clinic
351 College Street (College and Spadina)
Phone: 416-915-9285
Fairlawn Medical Centre
3322 Yonge Street (between York Mills and Lawrence)
Phone: 416-322-9933
Fast Lane Walk-In Clinic
799 Bloor Street West (west of Christie subway station)
Phone: 416-533-1330
Sheppard Beecroft Medical Clinic
48 Sheppard Ave, West (Yonge & Sheppard)
Phone: 416-222-1477
- Call Telehealth Ontario
Phone: 1-866-797-0000
Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is offered in English and French, but translation support is available in many other languages.
The Registered Nurse will ask you some questions about your illness to assess the seriousness of the problem. Based on the assessment, he/she can help determine whether you should go to an emergency room, wait and visit a doctor the next day, or look after yourself at home.
- Visit the emergency room at a hospital in the UHIP Preferred Hospital Network if you need emergency medical care:
St. Michael's Hospital
30 Bond Street (east of Queen subway station)
Phone: 416-360-4000
Toronto General Hospital
200 Elizabeth St (north of St. Patrick subway station)
Phone: 416-340-4800
Toronto Western Hospital
399 Bathurst St. (northeast corner of Bathurst and Dundas)
Phone: 416-603-5800
Princess Margaret Hospital
610 University Ave (north of St. Patrick subway station)
How to Stay Healthy
Staying healthy during your studies is important for your overall success at OCAD. Please visit the resources below for information on a variety of topics.
Last Modified:6/18/2012 4:09:02 PM
RELATED LINKS
Steve Kang welcomes new international students. Photo: Arslan Shahid.
For an insightful story on OCAD's International Student Services Office, please see OCAD GOES GLOBAL