About your coverage
All Dalhousie international students are automatically enrolled in the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) International Health Plan.
The DSU International Health Plan is for international students who don't have MSI coverage (Provincial Health Insurance). It covers general doctor visits, and emergency medical services. Before seeking medical care students must contact Medavie Blue Cross at 1-833-867-3468 to confirm coverage.
Learn more about your coverage, make a claim, and opt-in or out on the Student VIP International website. Find out more about applying for MSI coverage as an international student.
Get your health plan wallet card electronically
If you are covered under the International Student Health Plan, you can get your health plan wallet card quickly and easily online through the Student VIP website, or Peak App!
Your electronic health plan wallet card will be available after the black out period. The blackout period ends the first week of October for students enrolled in the fall term and the first week of February for students enrolled in the winter term. You can still visit the campus doctor at Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness.
PLEASE NOTE: At the start of each new term, those newly enrolled in the International Health Plan are subject to a "Blackout Period" the time between the start of each semester when your policy comes into effect and the time it takes Medavie Blue Cross, the insurance provider, to complete your enrollment. You are still covered under the plan during this time; however, you will not have access to your Health Insurance Plan card until the blackout period ends and Medavie Blue Cross has finalized your enrollment. This usually takes a few weeks from when the policy begins.
Get details on your plan depending on when you start your studies
Students beginning in September
All full-time international and exchange students starting their studies at Dalhousie in September are automatically billed and enrolled into two health plans: the DSU International Student Health Plan and the DSU Health & Dental Plan.
Students beginning in January or May
All full-time international and exchange students starting their studies at Dalhousie in January are automatically billed and enrolled into the DSU International Student Health Plan but must opt in to the DSU Health & Dental Plan.
Students on co-op or exchange
If you are going on a co-op or exchange during the Fall Term, please confirm that you have been charged for the International Health Plan automatically by checking your tuition fees. If you do not see that charge, please reach out to dsuhlth@dal.ca as you may not be insured while away.
Students on a short-term program or visiting scholars
nternational Visiting Research Students are required to have health insurance. All insurance is provided through the Dalhousie Student Union Health Plan Office. Your length of stay at Dalhousie will determine which type of insurance you are eligible for. For more information about coverage options and the eligibility for each, please review the sections below.
Visiting Research Students who are at Dalhousie for a full term or the full academic year will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the DSU International Health Plan. For stays longer than one term, but shorter than a full academic year, students can request to have the health plan pro-rated by contacting the DSU Health Plan Office within one week of their arrival. To be eligible for pro-rated billing, students must present their Dalhousie letter of acceptance and the Invitation Letter from their Dalhousie Supervisor.
DSU International Short-Term Plan
Visiting Research Students who are at Dalhousie for short durations (anything under 4 months/1 term) may be eligible to opt out of the DSU International Health Plan and enroll under the DSU Short Term Plan by contacting the DSU Health Plan Office within one week of their arrival.
Students taking distance courses (exclusively)
If you are taking only distance courses, you must opt in to the plan.
Private Coverage
If a student has their own health insurance (private coverage), they may be able to opt-out of the Dalhousie Plan if their private coverage meets Dalhousie's international opt-out requirements. These can be reviewed at www.dsu.ca/health-plan. To do so, the student must take a copy of their health insurance plan to the DSU Health Plan Office.
Please contact the DSU Health Plan Office at dsuhlth@dal.ca if you have any questions about health insurance.
Dual Citizens
If you are a dual citizen who lives outside of Canada, but have registered at Dalhousie as a domestic student, you are not automatically enrolled in the International Health plan and may be exposed to medical bills. If you are not coming to Canada with a private health insurance plan which covers primary health costs, you should inquire with MSI (Provincial Health Plan) or contact the DSU Health Plan Office at dsuhlth@dal.ca for options.