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International Health Coverage_Old
 
  • Coverage is mandatory for all international students attending NSCAD.
  • This plan provides coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, x-rays, lab tests, repatriation and more.
  • If you have a pre-existing medical condition, coverage may be limited.
  • If you need to see a doctor or nurse, please click here for health care options.
  • If you want to confirm eligibility of a service, you can complete a pre-determination form and submit to Medavie Blue Cross. The pre-determination form is found here.
  • Please download the My Peak mobile app for all of your health plan resources. Click here for more information.
This portion of your insurance coverage is for medical expenses if you are sick or injured and require medical care. Your policy covers these expenses at 100% and there is no deductible or co-pay for you.

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions.





  • Medical Coverage
  • Hospitalization
  • Lab Tests
  • X-Rays and other Diagnostic Tests
  • Mental Health
  • Transportation
  • Pregnancy & Maternity
  • Travel
  • General Exclusions
  • Opt-Out Requirements
  • Companion Plan
  • Dual Citizens-Important!
  • Coverage Questions
General Check-up with a doctor
Doctors’ visits if you are feeling sick or are injured, here are some examples of issues you would be covered for.

Ear infections
Headaches
Rashes
Acne
Sexual health
Female exams
Male exams
Transgender care
Stomach pains
Ore throat
Chicken pox
Hives
Sprains and fractures and broken bones
UTI (Unitary Tract Infection)
STI (Sexual Health Infections)
Bladder Infections
Kidney Infections
Cuts and Lesions
Stitches & Casting
Counselling services
Medication needs including prescribing and refills
Stitches
Diabetic support



Submit an Eligibility Review!

If you are unsure if your medical or health care procedure will be covered by the plan, you can submit a pre-determination form before you receive your services or procedure.

This is just a summary list of medical examples that may be covered by the plan and does not include all eligible illness or injuries. All claims are reviewed for approval based on the terms and conditions of the policy.

If you are sick, injured, have had an accident or medical emergency, please proceed to get the care you need and notify your insurance when you are able to.

Emergency Room Visits
If you are having a medical emergency, you must call 911 and /or proceed to the nearest hospital. A medical emergency can include things like:
  • Trouble breathing
  • Loss of breath
  • Uncontrollable breathing
  • Numbness in the body
  • Sudden loss of vision or hearing
  • Sexual Assault
  • Physical Assault

This is just a summary list and does not include all types or examples of a medical emergency and does not confirm coverage. All claims are processed by the insurance company based on the terms and conditions of the policy.

If you are sick, injured, have had an accident or medical emergency, please proceed to get the care you need and notify your insurance when you are safe and able.

This portion of your insurance coverage is for medical expenses if you are sick or injured and require medical care. Your policy covers these expenses at 100% and there is no deductible or co-pay for you.


NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions.

Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy



Coverage for hospitalization if you need to stay in the hospital.


Sometimes after a medical emergency or accident you are required to stay in the hospital to be treated and taken care of. This can include
· During or after a severe sickness or illness
· After an accident such as a car accident or a slip and fall
· After a head injury or concussion
· While waiting for surgery or specialized care
· After surgery
· After giving birth
· Experiencing a mental health concern

This is just a summary list and does not include all examples or reasons why someone would need to stay in the hospital and does not confirm coverage. All claims are processed by the insurance company based on the terms and conditions of the policy.

If you are sick, injured, have had an accident or medical emergency, please proceed to get the care you need and notify your insurance when you are safe and able.
Lab tests also known as diagnostic testing is often required to diagnose an illness and prescribe the proper medications or care.

Lab tests may be required for the following:

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s)
  • Confirm pregnancy
  • Test for viral and bacterial infections such as Strep Throat

This is just a summary list and does not include all examples or reasons why someone would need lab tests and does not confirm coverage. All claims are processed by the insurance company based on the terms and conditions of the policy.

If you are sick, injured, have had an accident or medical emergency, please proceed to get the care you need and notify your insurance when you are safe and able.
When you are injured, you may be required to get an image to help the doctors and nurses determine what is wrong or how severe your illness or injury may be. Reasons why a doctor may need an x-ray, MRI, CT scan or Ultrasound.

  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Head and or neck injury
  • Back injury
  • Confirm if you have appendicitis
  • Confirm pregnancy
  • Diagnose an illness

This is just a summary list and does not include all examples or reasons why someone would need x-rays and does not confirm coverage. All claims are processed by the insurance company based on the terms and conditions of the policy.

If you are sick, injured, have had an accident or medical emergency, please proceed to get the care you need and notify your insurance when you are safe and able.
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Sometimes you may just need to talk to someone and sometimes you may need therapy and medication or something else.

No matter what your mental health journey looks like, you have coverage through your plan to support your mental health care.


  • Visits to a psychologist or psychiatrist- 100% covered up to $10,000
  • Visits to a social worker – 100% covered up to $500
  • Hospitalization due to a mental health illness or concern such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia or other- 100% covered up to $60,000 (lifetime maximum)
  • Psychiatry fees billed separately during your time in the hospital – 100% covered up to $60,000 (lifetime maximum)

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

The Medical & Wellness plan also includes coverage for various transportation needs including:

  • Ambulance – Up to $10, 000
  • Taxi or Uber to hospital- Up to $125
  • Repatriation (you are sick and must return home permanently) – up to $20,000
  • Repatriation of remains (transporting your body to your home country) – up to $20,000
  • Supplemental Expenses for family (i.e. accommodation, food) $150 day up to $1,500 max


NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

The Medical & Wellness plan includes coverage for pregnancy, terminations (abortions), miscarriages, delivery and more.

  • Maternity expenses including ultrasounds, lab tests, doctor visits, delivery and well-baby care for up to 6 months post-birth - $25,000
  • Miscarriage – Covered under $25,000 maternity benefit
  • Pregnancy Termination (Abortion) – 1 per policy year

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy

Your plan includes travel coverage across the globe!

Travel within Canada: Unlimited duration
Travel outside of Canada for leisure (fun, personal): 120 days
Travel outside of Canada for school (i.e., co-op): Up to 184 days as long as 51% of the policy year is spent in Canada
Travel to your home country: 31 days max up to $10,000 coverage
Family Travel to your bedside (if you are hospitalized for more than 7 days): $5,000 for airfare for 2 immediate family members.

You do not need to let studentVIP know when you are travelling.

Please ensure you have your Health Plan Card with you when you travel in the event you need to contact emergency assistance and or seek medical help.

NOTE: These details are a summary only. Please refer to the policy for full details including limitations and exclusions. Click here to view your International Health Plan Policy


While the medical & wellness plan is very inclusive, there are things that are not covered by the insurance.

If you are unsure if your medical or health care procedure will be covered by the plan, you can submit a pre-determination form before you receive your services or procedure.


  • Immigration Medical Exams including Medical Assessment fees, testing, imaging, or other services required for third-part exams.
  • Medical expenses for a pre-existing medical condition that was not stable for 90 days before the coverage began.
  • Services provided by a family member
  • An Illness or injury resulting from non-compliance with medical treatment or therapy that has been prescribed;
  • participation in a criminal act or attempt to commit a criminal act, regardless of whether charges are laid or a conviction is obtained
  • Services, treatment or supplies that are:
    • not incurred as a result of an Emergency;
    • not Medically Necessary;
    • for cosmetic purposes only;
    • elective in nature; or
    • experimental or investigative.



This is not the full list, please review your policy here for full details or contact studentVIP or Medavie Blue Cross.

MSI OPT-OUTS
In order to opt out of the NSCAD International Health Plan with MSI you must provide proof of your active MSI card.

 

You will only be opted out for the months that your MSI card is fully active. (i.e. If your MSI card is effective October 15-August 31, you will be opted out from November-August)

 

Every student who opt out with MSI is automatically enrolled and charged for the Companion Plan. For more information on what the Companion Plan is, please CLICK HERE.
 

PRIVATE COVERAGE OPT-OUTS
NSCAD University does not allow for private coverage opt-outs. Only students holding a Canadian provincial health card are elgiible to opt-out and cancel the NSCAD-provided international student health plan. 

Group Policy 92657

The Companion Plan is a mandatory plan that International Students are required to purchase if they opt-out of the International Student Health Plan with Nova Scotia MSI Coverage. The cost of the Companion Plan is a one-time fee of $51.00 added to your student account.
 

Why do I need this coverage?

Even though you have MSI, it does not cover certain expenses like repatriation, air evacuation, burial or other expensive emergency benefits and provides very limited coverage outside of Canada. The Companion Plan covers off these expenses so you can travel worry-free!

 

What is covered?

Students are covered for 31 days outside of the province of Nova Scotia and outside of Canada (including their home country) for medical emergencies.

Click here to view your policy.

Click here to view your Rack Card.

If you are dual citizen, and hold a Canadian passport, you may not be automatically enrolled under the NSCAD International health Plan if you have applied to NSCAD as a Canadian Citizen.
 

In addition, you may not be eligible for Nova Scotia provincial health care (MSI) until you fulfill specific requirements.
 

In order to qualify for Nova Scotia Provincial Health Care (MSI), please see the following requirements below. Please note; these requirements are subject to change without notice. Please contact MSI directly to confirm your eligibility at 1-800-563-8880 / 902-496-7008 or msi@medavie.ca. You can also find more information online here.

 

International Student with Canadian Passport (Dual Citizen) 

Eligible for MSI on the 1st day you arrive in Nova Scotia provided you have a valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Birth Certificate.

 

International Student Coming from another Canadian Province (Dual Citizen) 

If you are an international dual citizen, but are coming to Nova Scotia from another Canadian Province, and not coming from abroad, you may be eligible for MSI on the 1st day of the third month that you are in Nova Scotia provided you have a valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Birth Certificate.

 

International Student Without Canadian Passport (Not A Dual Citizen) 

Eligible or MSI on the 1st day of the 13th month that you have been in Nova Scotia & have not been outside of the province for more than consecutive 30 days.

For questions regarding what is covered under your plan contact Medavie Blue Cross directly.
 

Medavie Blue Cross Coverage Telephone Number: 1-833-867-3468

Medavie Blue Cross Coverage Email: nscad@medavie.bluecross.ca

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