MEDICAL
MSP - Care Card
All international students are required to pay for medical coverage as a condition of their acceptance in the International Education Program. All international students must report with their passport and Study Permit to the International Education Program office upon arrival in our school district to apply for this coverage. Health Insurance B.C. – Medical Services Plan (MSP) will cover all international students after the end of a three month waiting period. MSP coverage is required by law in B.C. for all B.C. residents. To apply for this coverage, the international student or parent/legal guardian must apply at this office with the student’s passport and the current Study Permit upon arrival in the school district. At the end of the waiting period, MSP will mail a Care Card to the student’s home address. Once the student has a Care Card number, he or she will receive medical services in the same manner as all British Columbians. Each Care Card has an expiry date which is usually the same expiration date as the Study Permit. This is the date to when all students are eligible for coverage, not the date to when premiums have been paid. Premiums are paid by the International Education office to MSP on behalf of each international student while the student is enrolled in the program. When the student ceases to be part of the International Program, insurance benefits are then the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. To renew the Care Card, students must provide the International Education office with a copy of the renewed Study Permit. This must be done every year while the international student remains part of the International Program in School District 43 (Coquitlam).
Private (temporary) Coverage
During the three-month waiting period for MSP coverage, the school district purchases private medical coverage on behalf of all of the international students, known as International Student Hospital & Medical Insurance.
- TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators Ltd.
- Member Support number 1-800-379-9628 or 416-340-8115
Which is arranged through:
- Johnston Meier Insurance Agencies Group
- Como Lake Village Shopping Centre,
- Tel: 604-937-3601
Each International student is given a TIC pamphlet by the International Education Program staff outlining the benefits, exclusions, and emergency and claims procedures.
Each International student is assigned a personal ID number, which is provided by the International Education Program along with a claim form. In case of illness or injury, the international student may visit any doctor. The doctor will complete the claim form which must include the doctor’s stamp. The international student must mail the completed and signed claim form together with all original receipts within 30 days of occurrence to the TIC Claims department at the address outlined in the TIC pamphlet. If an international student is hospitalized while in the 3 month waiting period, it is imperative that a phone call be made within 24 hours of admission to hospital by calling 1-800-995-1662 or 416-340-0049. Failure to do so will result in the reduction of eligible benefit amounts payable by 20%. Should you have any concerns or questions, please contact our office at 604-936-5769.