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Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

Immigration Quebec regulations require that all international students be covered by a health insurance plan that meets government standards, while studying in Quebec. In keeping with this government directive, Concordia University has negotiated a compulsory health and accident insurance plan with Blue Cross that all Concordia international students must have. Only certain groups of students are allowed to be exempted from Blue Cross Plan for International students.

RAMQ is an acronym for Regie d”Assurance Maladie du Quebec. RAMQ is the medical insurance plan that covers all Quebec residents who are either permanent resident or Canadians. Often you will hear people refer to it as Carte Soleil (Sun Card) or Medicare Card.

Some students from certain countries who have an agreement with Quebec may qualify to receive RAMQ.

International students insured with Blue Cross who are looking for travel insurance can call 514-906-4923

You have two options when you need to submit a claim for reimbursement:

1. Submit your claim form and accompanying receipt(s) via your Blue Cross online account

2. Mail your duly filled out claim form and accompanying receipt(s) to the address indicated in the top left corner of the claim form.

You must fill out the Pre-authorization Request for Hospitalization/Surgery form and submit it to Blue Cross to find out exactly how much will be covered.

Sometimes at the beginning of the term there could be a delay in your information being sent to Blue Cross. You can contact the International Students Office and they will follow up with Blue Cross to confirm your insured status.

Adults need vaccines too! Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses occur on Canadian and U.S. campuses every year, including measles, mumps, chicken pox, meningitis, and of course Covid-19. Keeping your vaccines up-to-date will help you stay healthy all year long.

What you can do before you leave home

  • Before you leave home, review your vaccine history with your health care provider, and update any vaccines you’re missing. Vaccines can be costly, and student insurance plans do not offer the same coverage that employee or parents’ plans pay for. Get started now, as some vaccines require a series of shots and may take a few weeks or months to complete.
  • Pack your Vaccine Records (or a clear copy or photo): It is important for every university student to have this vital information easily accessible. Don’t leave home without it!​

What you can do once you are at Concordia

If you did not finish updating your vaccines, or you are due for a vaccine booster while you’re in Montreal, book an appointment with a nurse at Concordia University Health Services. You may qualify to get certain vaccines for free. For reliable information about vaccines, see our Vaccination page.

Blue Cross has only limited coverage, so if you want to receive vaccines in Canada, you will have to pay out-of-pocket. Concordia University Health Services strongly encourages all future students to update their vaccines before coming to Concordia.

For more information on the shots you need for Canada, check out Health Services’ Vaccines page, as well as a list of routine vaccines that are recommended for adults. Bring it to your health professional and take a picture of your vaccine records on your phone; this is important information you should have available.

We strongly recommend that you purchase additional health insurance to cover you in Canada while you wait for the Blue Cross plan to start. The current coverage periods are:

  • September 1 to August 31 for student beginning their studies in the Fall term
  • January 1 to August 31 for student beginning their studies in the Winter term
  • May 1 to August 31 for students beginning their studies in the Summer term

You can purchase any insurance you deem appropriate or you can purchase one additional month of the Blue Cross plan offered by Concordia University.

If you would like to purchase an additional month of the Blue Cross plan, there are a few things to note:

  1. We can only sell one month of coverage (the month prior to the start of your plan). At today's rate, one month costs $89.00* Canadian dollars. This amount will be added to your student account and due along with your first terms' tuition.
  2. You must be registered for the upcoming term (partial or complete registration) in order for us to be able to sell you an additional month

If you would like to purchase an additional month of the Blue Cross plan, please email iso@concordia.ca (don't forget to include your student ID number in your email). We recommend that you request this additional month about 2 weeks prior to your arrival to ensure your plan is fully active upon your arrival.

*All prices subject to change.

MEDICATION

You must visit a general doctor with the description and name of your medication along with what it is prescribed for and the doctor will be able to determine if this medication exists in Canada and give you a prescription for it. If the medication does not exist in Canada the doctor will be able to find an alternative medication that can be prescribed for the same condition.

For more information about non-Québec prescriptions, please visit the Out of Province Prescription page.

Please make sure you are familiar with the Pre-existing rules in the Blue Cross Health & Accident Insurance plan.

EXTENDED COVERAGE

There is a very limited amount of $250 coverage for dental surgery when it is performed in a hospital. For regular dental care you will need to acquire the additional dental coverage available through the CSU (Concordia Student Union), and the GSA (Graduate Students Association).

If you are interested in having this additional dental insurance you must self-enrol at the start of your academic program. Eligibility and details about specific coverage with these plans are available from the Quebec Student Health Alliance at:

No, Blue Cross does not cover additional health services such as glasses/contact lenses. An eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist is covered up to a maximum reimbursement of $35 per participant, per period of 24 consecutive months.

FAMILY COVERAGE

If your pregnancy started prior to the start date of your Blue Cross Health Insurance plan then the pregnancy will be considered pre-existing and Blue Cross will not cover any medical expenses related to it. Please refer to your Blue Cross Health Insurance policy booklet, page 5. 

AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2019, THE ISO NO LONGER OFFERS HEALTH INSRUANCE FOR DEPENDENTS.

Health insurance coverage is highly recommended for spouses and children who are accompanying an international student to Canada. For information on other insurers who provide Visitor's Insurance on an individual basis, please see a list of websites below. You can compare their plans and choose the one that best fits your current situation. Keep in mind that not all plans are comparable and it is the responsibility of the student to check on the plan details.

Please note that some plans completely exclude expenses related to pregnancy; others will only cover the expenses if the pregnancy started after the beginning of the health insurance coverage. There can also be limitations relating to the coverage of your newborn. Remember: newborns do incure costs post-delivery and you are responsible for said costs.

Please note that international students MUST be covered by the Blue Cross Health Insurance Plan for Concordia International Students even if their dependents are covered by another insurance provider. 

Nursery fee is a fee to keep the baby in a nursery bed at the hospital. Nursery fees are not covered under the mother’s health insurance plan.  Please discuss what fees are covered with your newborn baby’s Health Insurance Provider

As of September 22, 2021, all children are eligible for the Québec health insurance (RAMQ) and basic prescription drug insurance plans provided that they are present in Québec for more than 6 months per year, whether they were born here or not. This includes:

  • Children temporarily living in Québec, for example, those of foreign workers or students
  • Children without legal status in Canada

Moreover, the 3-month period during which people who settle in Quebec are not eligible for health insurance (also called “waiting period”) is abolished for all children.

Please visit the RAMQ's page for information on how to register your child or children for the Québec health insurance plan.

As of September 22, 2021, all children are eligible for the Québec health insurance (RAMQ) and basic prescription drug insurance plans provided that they are present in Québec for more than 6 months per year, whether they were born here or not. This includes:

  • Children temporarily living in Québec, for example, those of foreign workers or students
  • Children without legal status in Canada

Moreover, the 3-month period during which people who settle in Quebec are not eligible for health insurance (also called “waiting period”) is abolished for all children.

Please visit the RAMQ's page for information on how to register your child or children for the Québec health insurance plan.

EXAMS

You should go see a doctor as soon as possible. It is important to go see a doctor prior to the exam, class/lab or due date for an assignment. The best place to go is Concordia Health Services. See Health services website under Medical Note. 

OUTSIDE OF QUEBEC

Your Blue Cross insurance plan will cover you anywhere in Canada at the equivalent rate of the Regie d'Assurance Maladie du Quebec.

No, your Blue Cross Health Insurance plan will not cover you outside of Canada; we highly recommend that you obtain a travel insurance if you will be traveling outside Canada. To obtain Travel Insurance call Blue Cross at 514-906-4923 and make sure that you specify that you are a Concordia International Student insured with Blue Cross/Medavie.

URGENT CARE

An urgent health issue is one that requires attention soon, but it is not an emergency. For urgent health issues, you can contact the Concordia Health Services (call 514-848-2424 ext. 3565) and speak with a nurse. You can also get same-day/urgent care in external clinics in Montreal. Information about how to find and book these appointments can be found in the Urgent care section of the Health Services website.

Other health care resources that are available to international students are Online Doctors (from Maple) and Empower Me, which provides mental health care. To find out about the services offered by Empower Me, and how to register, please select your level of studies below:

You can also contact your provincial Telehealth line (in Quebec dial 8-1-1).

If you think  your health issue may require immediate attention, call your provincial Telehealth line (in Quebec dial 8-1-1) to speak with a nurse for assessment and guidance.

If you think your life, or the life of someone you know, is in danger, go to the nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1. Those outside of Canada can consult International Emergency and Crisis Lines, by Country for resources.

If you are advised to visit a clinic or go to the emergency room, please make sure that you have your Blue Cross insurance card with you. You can download the card from the Medavie Blue Cross web site. You must have photo ID with you. We suggest you have your Concordia ID card and a photocopy of your passport.

 
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