Medical

The International Education office will ensure medical coverage on the student’s behalf provided that the student has a valid Study Permit or permission to attend school and is enrolled as an international student in School District 43 (Coquitlam).

Health Insurance B.C. – Medical Services Plan (MSP)

MSP covers international students with study permits of six months or longer after a three-month waiting period. MSP coverage is required by law in B.C. for all B.C. residents. In order to activate this coverage, the international student must provide their current Study Permit to the International Education office upon arrival in B.C. At the end of the waiting period, MSP will mail a Care Card to the student. 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.

To renew their MSP coverage, students must provide the International Education office with a copy of the renewed Study Permit. MSP benefits will end if coverage is not renewed. Students must ensure that they provide the International Education department with their current study permit while they remain in the program.

Guard.me Medical Insurance

During the three-month waiting period for MSP coverage, the school district purchases private medical coverage on behalf of all international students from guard.me. Students whose study permit is less than six months or who do not have a study permit will be covered under guard.me medical insurance for the full duration of their program.

After checking in with the International Education office on arrival, students will receive confirmation of guard.me coverage with an ID card, Policy, and Claim Form. Students should keep their ID card with them at all times in case of illness or injury in order to be able to visit a doctor. Some medical clinics bill guard.me directly. In most cases, direct billing is not available. The student must pay the clinic directly and collect a receipt including the clinic’s stamp and signature. The student can submit claims for reimbursement electronically or by mail. If the student is hospitalized, the student or hospital should contact guard.me immediately at the numbers listed on the reverse of their ID card (24-hour Emergency Procedures).

Students, parents, and custodians should familiarize themselves with the Insurance Policy for Emergency Healthcare provided by guard.me for details regarding benefits, exclusions, and emergency and claims procedures. Should you have any concerns or questions, please refer to www.guard.me or contact our office at 604-936-5769.

End of Medical Insurance Coverage

When the student ceases to be part of the International Program, insurance benefits become the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. If a student’s study permit duration is longer than their program with the Coquitlam School District, the student must notify MSP of their intent to leave Canada or pay their international student medical fees directly to Health Insurance BC.