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Undergraduate Plans | Graduate Plans | University Administered Health Plan
Undergraduate Plans
All undergraduate students registered in a Fall* semester are automatically covered by their respective society's Health and Dental Plan (SSMU or MCSS). The cost of these plans is as follows:
- Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) - $220.00
- Macdonald Campus Students' Society (MCSS) - $206.67
International students are also members of the dental insurance plans of the student societies to which they belong and are required to pay these premiums as follows:
- Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) - $100.00
- Macdonald Campus Students' Society (MCSS) - $114.61
* Students entering the University in the Winter semester are not automatically covered by their society's Health and Dental Plan, and must opt-in if they wish to be. 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 ihaveaplan.ca.
Graduate Plans
Graduate students classed as Canadian full-time or additional session/non-thesis extension, as well as all students in a thesis evaluation term or who are Post-doctoral candidates, are automatically covered by their society's Health and Dental Plan (PGSS). Students without valid Canadian Medicare should refer to the University Administered Health Plan section below. In 2013–2014, the cost of this plan is $401.45 (single coverage). Eligible students not charged automatically for insurance fees can choose to enrol 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 ihaveaplan.ca towards mid-August.
International students are also members of the dental insurance plans of the student societies to which they belong and are required to pay this premium as follows:
- Post-graduate Students' Society (incl. Post-Docs) $168.12
University Administered Health Plan (International and 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. Students without valid Medicare will not be able to use the PGSS Health plan, and will need to withdraw.
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 qroup plan offered through International Student Services. For more information, visit the International Student Services site.
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. The Blue Cross premium rates for 2013-2014 are:
- Single: $951.00
- Dependent: $2,916.00
- Family: $5,547.00
All International students registered as of August 14, 2013 will be billed in August (due August 30th) for the International Health Insurance. Students will be required to sign their insurance contracts on Minerva (beginning August 15th) and then pick up their Blue Cross Health Card at Service Point (MS-55, McLennan Library Building, 3415 McTavish). International students may be exempted from International Health Insurance if they meet certain conditions. Exemptions must be applied for no later than September 30, 2013 (or January 31, 2014 for students starting in January 2014). Exemption categories and procedures can be found on International Student Services insurance site. Please note that exemptions are valid for one year only and must be renewed annually. Late exemption requests will only be applied for the following term(s). For more information, please visit the International Student Services page on compulsory international health insurance.
In general, the policy provides coverage similar to that of Québec Hospitalization and Québec Medicare. Students should note that maternity benefits are restricted.
International students who will not reside in Québec during the academic year and students with valid Québec Medicare cards at the time of registration must request exemption status by September 30, 2013. All inquiries concerning the International Student Health Insurance plan should be directed to:
Tel.: (514) 398-6012
Fax: (514) 398-7352
Email: international [dot] health [at] mcgill [dot] ca (International Health)