1. Log on to Minerva using your student ID.
  2. Go to the Student tab.
  3. Click on International Health Insurance Menu (for students).
  4. Click on Confirm IHI Coverage.
  5. Select Confirm Coverage from the drop-down menu.
    (Congratulations! You have activated your IHI coverage)
  6. Click on the Print IHI Card option from the menu in Step 3. Select the academic year and click Print Card to get your IHI card.
Remote video URL
When can you activate your IHI coverage?
SemesterDate from which you can activate IHI Coverage
Fall (Returning/Newly-Admitted)August 1
Winter (Newly-Admitted)December 1
Summer (Newly-Admitted)April 1

Exchange students who require a reassessment of the international health insurance fee must activate their coverage.

Once the IHI plan is activated, the student can:

  1. Get covered for a default period of 12 months from September 1 to August 31 the following year.
  2. Get access to the facilities at the Student Wellness Hub.
  3. Make claims for your medical expenses.
  4. Use the the electronic version of the McGill's IHI card obtained in Step 6 on a mobile device when accessing the Student Wellness Hub and Hospitals in Montreal.

New students get 2 complimentary weeks of coverage prior to the start date of the IHI contract, in case they need to seek urgent medical care before the start of the academic term. For example, a new student starting their program in the Fall will begin their two complimentary weeks of coverage on August 15th.

If you are arriving in Canada earlier than 2 weeks before the start of your IHI contract, we strongly recommend having private medical health insurance coverage. You may choose to buy a visitor’s health insurance plan from Québec Blue Cross (partner organization with Medavie Blue Cross). You may obtain a quote online or by calling 1-888-822-5383 (8h to 18h, Monday to Friday).

Disclaimers

Communication of Personal Information to Health Insurance Provider
  1. In order to enrol you in the group health insurance plan and allow for the assessment and processing of medical claims for reimbursement, McGill University will communicate the following personal information to Medavie Blue Cross:
    1.  McGill ID number, 
    2. full legal name, 
    3. date of birth, 
    4. mailing address, and 
    5. analogous information of any dependents, if applicable. 
  2. The personal information listed above will be shared with Medavie Blue Cross for the sole purpose of enrolment to and administration of your McGill’s health insurance coverage. 
  3. This health insurance coverage is a required obligation of your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). 

Questions and Concerns:

For any questions or concerns about this notice or the sharing of your personal information, or to oppose the communication described in this notice, please contact the  International Student Services unit. For more information about how McGill processes your personal information and your rights, please consult the privacy.secretartiat [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Privacy Notice).  

Maternity Benefits
  1. Maternity benefits extend to you and your spouse if:
    1. You re-register and were already covered under the IHI plan.
    2. You or your spouse were previously insured by a benefit from a group insurance plan offered by a recognized Canadian education during the previous academic year.
  2. If you or your spouse were not insured during the previous academic year:
    1. Maternity benefits are insured if normal delivery takes place during the first 30 weeks following initial registration in the plan up to a maximum of $20,000.
    2. In case of a miscarriage or early delivery, the 30 week limit does not apply as long as conception occurred during the first 6 weeks immediately prior to or subsequent to registration.
End of Coverage as a result of Registration Changes
  1. In order to be eligible to use the International Health Insurance contract and make claims:
    1. You must be a registered student at McGill University.
    2. You must pay for the coverage.
  2. Any changes that affect your registration status at McGill University, may result in the automatic cancellation of your International Health Insurance plan. Examples of these situations include, but are not limited to:
    1. Admission Deferral.
    2. University Withdrawal.
    3. Registration Gap.
    4. Leave of Absence in any given term.
    5. Other kinds of absence of registration.
  3. Notify ISS immediately of any changes in your registration status to understand how it affects your eligibility for McGill’s International Health Insurance.
  4. You are responsible for reimbursing Medavie Blue Cross for any claims refunded after the changes in your registration status.
Dependents
  1. It is your responsibility to make necessary changes to your health coverage as dependants join you in Canada.
  2. If your dependent rejoins the IHI plan in future terms, and there is a gap in coverage, please be aware that they will not be eligible for the two (2) weeks of complimentary coverage and that the preexisting conditions limitations (lifetime maximum of $20,000 CAD) may apply.
  3. You can cancel coverage for your dependants:
    1. Within 30 days, the first 30 days of a semester of study.
    2. You have proof that your dependant is either outside Canada and/or leaving Canada.
  4. For returning students:
    1. It is your responsibility to add your dependants to your IHI plan every year when activating your coverage at the beginning of each academic year.
    2. Failure to do so will result in the coverage automatically being activated to SINGLE, thereby leaving your dependants without coverage.
Claims Submission Deadline 

All claims must be received by Medavie Blue Cross Insurance no later than 90 days after the end of the policy year in which the claims were incurred or 90 days after the end of your coverage, whichever is sooner. For more information, please see page 19 of the Medavie Blue Cross Handbook.

Webinars on International Health Insurance and Accessing Healthcare

For more information on International Health Insurance, please consult the following webinar recording: