Hi, I'm Kendra and I work with the International Office at Conestoga College.
I help students transition into their life studying here in Canada.
Today, I'm going to talk about health insurance.
As an international student,
you're probably going to have a few questions about the health insurance that's
available to you while you're studying here in Canada.
There are two plans that
are available to you through CSI, your official Student Association.
You must have both.
So, of the two plans available to you, the first is CIHIP - the Conestoga International Health Insurance Plan.
This plan is specifically for international students, and it covers
most of the medical expenses you would incur visiting a doctor at a clinic or a hospital.
The second is the CSI Health and Dental Plan.
This is available to all students, both international and domestic.
It covers things like dental care,
pharmacies, physiotherapy, and other things like that.
Now, I'll go more in depth about CIHIP - the Conestoga International Health Insurance Plan.
This coverage will start the day that you start classes.
However, what's important to know is that
you won't be able to get your health insurance card until three weeks into class.
Don't worry - if you need to see a doctor during the first three weeks of class,
then you can go to a hospital or a clinic,
(please save hospitals for emergencies only).
Then, after you get your health insurance card through your email,
you'll be able to submit a claim to get reimbursed
or to pay the practitioner for the services they provided you.
The website where you can find detailed information about CIHIP - the Conestoga International Health Insurance Plan
is www.cihip.ca.
You will also receive an email three weeks into class from StudentCare, the broker of this plan.
Check your "Spam" folder for an email from StudentCare.
This will include detailed information and a link to your coverage card.
Please print your coverage card and keep it in your wallet.
You'll need it if you go to see a health care provider,
either for an emergency reason or just a check-up at a clinic.
Now you know that you can use CIHIP - the Conestoga International Health Insurance Plan to see a doctor.
Maybe you go to see a doctor,
you get a prescription for medication,
here's where you need to know about the CSI Health and Dental plan.
The CIHIP plan doesn't cover your prescriptions,
so you'll use the CSI Health and Dental plan to take that prescription to a pharmacy
and get coverage to help you pay for that medication.
The CSI Health and Dental plan covers things like
medications, dental care, vision care
and also has a Legal Protection Plan where you can access legal advice for certain legal matters.
You can get the CSI Health and Dental plan coverage card at any CSI office on campus.
It will come in a hard copy paper format,
where you can enter your name and your student number, and then you're good to go.
So, now you have
the card for the CSI Health and Dental plan - what's next?
Well, you can go on the CSI Health and Dental plan website to get more information
about the different providers that are in your network where the insurance coverage will be accepted.
You can go to the CSI Health and Dental plan website.
If you have questions you can contact csihealthplan@conestogac.on.ca
or visit a CSI office on your campus.
Another question that many international students ask about health insurance is how much does it cost.
This insurance is included in your fees,
so you won't need to pay extra after you arrive.
However, you should note that not all services are eligible for coverage,
and not all things that are covered are covered 100%.
It's really important that you look at the details of the plan
so you know what's eligible for coverage.
Also, pre-existing conditions generally are not covered in this plan.
It's important to make sure that you're aware of that
and plan for coverage around any pre-existing conditions that you have
prior to your arrival in Canada.
Most students arrive in Canada early, before classes start.
This is a good thing because it allows you to attend Orientation ,
and get off to a great start in the school year.
However, when it comes to health insurance,
please note that you have up to 1 calendar month of
early arrival emergency-only coverage.
This is before the start date of your coverage.
The start date of your coverage is usually the first day of the month that you start taking classes.
If you're coming more than 1 month before the start date of classes,
please investigate private insurance options to make sure
that you're covered in the event of an emergency.
So, in summary, you have 2 plans.
The first is CIHIP - the Conestoga International Health Insurance Plan,
that covers most services you get from a doctor or a hospital.
This card for this coverage will be electronic.
You'll receive it in your email from StudentCare three weeks into class.
The second plan, the CSI Health and Dental Plan,
covers other things that you don't get at a doctor's office,
such as prescription medication, dental coverage, vision care and also some legal support.
This card will be in a hard copy format that you can pick up at the CSI office
on your campus anytime after you start class.
Please keep both of these cards in your wallet
You might need them, so it's good to have them handy.
If you have any questions, please contact
csihealthplan@conestogac.on.ca or internationaloffice@conestogac.on.ca