You are highly encouraged to download the free GuardMe Student Support Program (GMSSP) app if you are an:
- international or inbound exchange student,
- International Visiting Research Trainee, or a
- visiting scholar
The GuardMe Student Support Program provides:
- Worldwide access to real-time and appointment-based counselling support in 140+ languages
- 24/7 real-time telephone support through the Telus Student Health Support App
- Hundreds of self-help resources available on topics like managing finances, mental health and wellbeing, building healthy habits, productivity, etc.
- Online peer-to-peer support community where it is safe to talk anonymously about anything
To get support, call 1-844-451-9700 (in Canada and the USA) or +1 416-380-6578 (from other countries, bearing in mind that long distance and roaming charges may apply).
UHIP Enrolment
Medical services in Ontario, including physician fees and emergency visits at a hospital, can be very expensive. UHIP is a mandatory basic coverage plan that helps cover these expenses. Students who are required to be covered under UHIP include:
- International students with a valid study permit who are registered as active in a degree program,
- Incoming exchange students,
- Dependent spouse and/or children of eligible students,
- International Visiting Research Trainees with a valid work permit, and
- Some Visiting Scholars
Please note that dependant(s) in Canada must be enrolled in UHIP within 30 days of their eligibility. Dependant(s) enrolled after 30 days will be subject to a $500 late fee.
Renewing your dependant(s): Each academic year, you must renew your dependant(s)' UHIP coverage within 30 days of their coverage expiry date via our UHIP application form or a late fee of $500 will apply.
Please note that your dependant(s) are covered under your UHIP till August 31, 2026 (end of current coverage year). You will need to renew their coverage for the Fall 2026 semester. Please ensure that you submit your renewal application before September 30, 2026, or a late fee of $500 will apply.
Please view the UHIP website for detailed information about your dependants’ coverage.
NOTE : UHIP does not cover prescription medications, dental or vision care, vaccinations or paramedical services (ex. physiotherapy, psychology, etc.). These services are covered by your extended health and dental plan, which is administered by your student union (YFS if you are an undergraduate student or GSA if you are a graduate student).
Not sure whether you are eligible for UHIP? Take this quiz to find out!
International Students
All international students are automatically enrolled in UHIP. Here's the process for the Fall 2026 academic term:
- Once you enroll in courses for the Fall 2026 term and are registered active students, we will enroll you into UHIP. No further action is required from your end.
- Your coverage will be active from September 1, 2026 till August 31, 2027 at a cost of $948.
- You will have to pay this fee in full by September 10, 2026 to avoid interest charges.
- If you experience a medical emergency in Ontario, you can use your UHIP card starting August 10, 2026.
- You will receive an email from Cowan (the UHIP insurer) and/or York International at your @yorku.ca email address. Please check your inbox and spam/junk mail for these messages, as they will have instructions on how to access and use your UHIP card, terms and conditions of coverage, etc.
- Before you start classes:
- Complete Cowan's New User Registration process and log into the Cowan Group Benefits Member Access portal.
- Add your contact and Canadian direct bank deposit information into your account, only using your YorkU email address for communication with the insurer.
- Sign up for and attend a UHIP drop-in session on the Events Calendar or email uhip@yorku.ca if you cannot update your account.
Exchange Students
All exchange students are automatically enrolled in UHIP. Here's the process for the Fall 2026 academic term:
- Once you enroll in courses for the Fall 2026 term and are registered active students, we will enroll you into UHIP. No further action is required from your end.
- Your enrollment dates and charges are:
- Fall term exchange: Your coverage will be active from September 1, 2026 till December 31, 2026 at a cost of $316.
- Full year exchange: Your coverage will be active from September 1, 2026 till April 30, 2027 at a cost of $632.
- You will have to pay this fee in full by September 10, 2026 to avoid interest charges.
- If you experience a medical emergency in Ontario, you can use your UHIP card starting August 10, 2026.
- You will receive an email from Cowan (the UHIP insurer) and/or York International at your @yorku.ca email address. Please check your inbox and spam/junk mail for these messages, as they will have instructions on how to access and use your UHIP card, terms and conditions of coverage, etc.
- Before you start classes:
- Complete Cowan's New User Registration process and log into the Cowan Group Benefits Member Access portal.
- Add your contact and Canadian direct bank deposit information into your account, only using your YorkU email address for communication with the insurer.
- Sign up for and attend a UHIP drop-in session on the Events Calendar or email uhip@yorku.ca if you cannot update your account.
Visiting Scholars and short-term international employees
If you are a post-doctoral fellow, please contact Pensions & Benefits at askpb@yorku.ca to enroll in UHIP.
All short-term Visiting Scholars or a short-term international employees must be enrolled in UHIP. Please complete the UHIP application form upon your arrival in Canada. The cost of your UHIP coverage will be determined based on the duration of your activities at York University. The cost of UHIP is $79 per month per person and full payment is due at the time you apply.
International Visiting Research Trainees (IVRTs)
All IVRTs must be enrolled in UHIP. Please complete the UHIP application form upon landing in Canada. The cost of your UHIP coverage will be determined based on the duration of your activities at York University. The cost of UHIP is $79 per month per person and full payment is due at the time you apply.
Dependent spouse and/or children
All UHIP members' non-Canadian dependent spouse and/or children must have UHIP coverage while you are studying, researching or teaching at York. It is not only an immigration requirement, but also critical for securing work and enrolling in schools, colleges and universities in Ontario. However, you, as the primary UHIP member, must apply to add your dependants to your UHIP policy. Please complete the UHIP application form starting July 16, 2026. The cost of UHIP is $79 per month per person.
Please note that if you do not add or renew your dependant(s)' UHIP coverage within 30 days of their eligibility, Cowan (the UHIP insurer) will charge you a $500 late enrollment/renewal fee. This is on top of the cost of insurance.
School of Continuing Studies (including YUELI)
You are not eligible for UHIP coverage. If you are studying at the:
- School of Continuing Studies, please contact regscs@yorku.ca to request enrollment in health insurance
- York University English Language Institute (YUELI), please contact yueli@yorku.ca to be enrolled in its health insurance policy
Other non-degree students
Students enrolled in a certificate or diploma at a Faculty at York University are not eligible for UHIP. It is highly recommended that you purchase a private health plan for your studies in Canada. Suggested plans are:
- For international students: Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada plan offered by Manulife Canada
- For Canadian citizens and permanent residents: Travel insurance within Canada plan by Allianz Global Assistance
You are encouraged to request quotes from multiple insurers before purchasing a plan so that you have the exact medical coverage you need during your stay in Ontario.
If you take a semester off from your studies and are still in Canada, you need to continue having UHIP coverage, but Cowan (UHIP's insurer) must approve you for coverage.
The steps for the approval process are:
- Contact an International Student Advisor to explain the reason for your leave of absence and to discuss its impact on your study permit and stay in Canada after you finish your studies.
- Apply for a leave of absence from your academic faculty (if you are a Bachelor's degree student) or the Faculty of Graduate Studies (if you are a Master's or PhD student). If approved, your faculty will issue a letter approving your leave at least one month prior to the start date of your leave of absence. The type of leave (see below for the list) must be stated in the letter.
- Apply and pay for UHIP coverage during your leave of absence at least one month prior to taking the leave.
- Drop all your classes (during the term(s) of your leave only) after you submit your UHIP coverage during a leave of absence application to York International. If you fail to do this, you will disqualify yourself from requesting UHIP coverage during your leave of absence.
- Wait for the insurer's written approval of UHIP coverage during a leave of absence. If your request is approved, strict terms and conditions apply.
You may be covered under one of three types of leave of absence:
- Medical: You may qualify for one term (4 months) or two terms (8 months) of UHIP coverage during this type of leave of absence. You will need to submit medical documents to support your request, including ones necessary to pre-approve medically necessary treatments and surgeries. Allow yourself at least two months to complete the pre-approval and UHIP leave of absence process.
- Non-medical: You may qualify for a maximum of one term (4 months) per policy year. You will not need to provide documentation to demonstrate the need for your leave, but the reason for the leave (ex. financial, personal, etc.) will need to be disclosed in your faculty's leave of absence approval letter.
- Parental: You may qualify for a maximum of three terms (12 months). You will need to submit medical and/or birth documents to support your request, including ones necessary to pre-approve medically necessary treatments and surgeries for yourself. Allow yourself at least two months to complete the pre-approval and UHIP leave of absence process.
NOTE: Taking a leave of absence could affect your academic progress. Please speak with your program director of the Chair of your department if you have concerns about post-graduation academic plans.
You may be eligible to extend your UHIP coverage for up to six months after your last month of studies if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows you to be in Canada during that period. Below is the maximum you can extend your UHIP coverage based on your convocation month:
- June Convocation: You should already be covered until August. Your coverage may be extended for a maximum of 2 more months (September and October).
- October Convocation: Your coverage ends in August, so your coverage may be extended for up to 6 months (September to February).
- February Convocation: By enrolling in the Fall term, you are automatically enrolled in UHIP for 12 months. You may not apply to extend your UHIP coverage past August. You may only request a refund for the Winter and Summer term of UHIP. The deadline for refund applications is March 1st.
The process to apply for a UHIP extension due to graduation is as follows:
- Submit York International's UHIP application form with all the required documents:
- UHIP's application form, a copy of your study permit (valid through the end of your extension period)
- valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP) or an IRCC PGWP application confirmation letter), and
- proof that you have completed your academic program.
- Pay the cost of UHIP for your full extension period using the secure weblink that the UHIP Office will send you after reviewing your application.
NOTE: Your coverage must be continuous and retroactive from September 1st. Otherwise, your extension request will be denied.
After you have extended your UHIP for the maximum number of months, you will need to look into private health plans until you become eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). For information on becoming eligible for OHIP, click here. If you need private travel insurance, UHIP recommends the Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada offered by Manulife Canada.
UHIP Coverage
In Canada, there are two types of plans that make up your total health coverage: basic plan and extended (sometimes known as supplementary) plan. These plans complement one another, so, you need to enroll yourself and your dependants in both types of plans if you are an international or exchange student. To understand the difference between these types of plans, check out our infographic!
As an international student, your basic health insurance plan is UHIP. This plan is tailored to give you coverage that is similar to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Your extended health plan is administered by your student union. It covers prescription medications, dental and vision care, vaccines and paramedical services. Here is where you can get information about your plan:
- Undergraduate students (including the Juris Doctor program): Your student union is the York Federation of students (YFS). Its health plan website is http://www.yfs.ca/healthplan.
- Graduate students (who are not teaching assistants): Your student union is the York University Graduate Students' Association (YUGSA). Its health plan website is http://yugsa.ca/health-plan.
- Graduate students (who are teaching assistants): Your student union is the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903. Its health plan website is https://cupe3903.org/benefits/benefits-plan/.
UHIP covers doctor and hospital visits, as well as laboratory and diagnostic testing. Please note that some coverage exceptions apply – for example, allergy tests and doctor’s notes are out-of-pocket costs.
Please visit the UHIP coverage website for details.
The premium for the 2026-2027 year (September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027) is $948. This amounts to $79 per month per person.
International and exchange students will be charged the UHIP fee in their student account. When you see the charges on your student account, you will be responsible for the outstanding balance by September 10, 2026. Payment for UHIP fees is made the same way tuition is paid. For more information on how and when to pay, please visit: https://sfs.yorku.ca/fees/your-student-account/how-and-when-to-pay.
International Visiting Research Trainees and Visiting Scholars are generally charged the cost of UHIP via a secure weblink at the time of enrolment. If you are a government-sponsored scholar, please email uhip@yorku.ca to ask how your UHIP fee will be billed.
UHIP Card
If you have issues accessing your UHIP card for the first time, please:
- Verify that you are eligible to download the UHIP card by taking our Getting your UHIP Card quiz, and then
- Download the UHIP card at Cowan's ECard Access Page.
If you still cannot access your UHIP card, please:
Step 1: Check your @my.yorku.ca email.
- Undergrad students: Click here to access your @my.yorku.ca email with your Passport York. You should see an email titled “Welcome to UHIP”.
- Grad Students: Contact your Faculty on how to access your YorkU email.
NOTE : Cowan can only email you at your York University email address, so please ensure you activate your student email account and that your student record lists your @yorku.ca email address as your preferred contact method by July 30, 2026.
Step 2: Print your UHIP card and keep it with you in case of medical emergency.
- If your student account has been charged the cost of UHIP (ex. UHIP2627), this means that you have UHIP coverage.*
- Register your account on the Cowan website. If the registration asks for your member ID and policy number, it is as follows: Member ID is YU plus your student number (e.g. YU123456789) and policy number is 150150.
- If you do not see the UHIP charge on your student account by September 18, 2026 but you have received your UHIP card, please email UHIP to ask for an update on your situation.
*EXCEPTION: If you dropped all your courses, your UHIP coverage will be terminated, even if you switched them to other courses. In this case, you will see a UHIP refund on your student account about 4-6 weeks after you deregistered or withdrew from the university. Please urgently submit a University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) Re-Enrollment Form to be reinstated into the UHIP policy to avoid having to make unnecessary medical expenses using your own funds (as Cowan cannot pay for health costs that exceed the OHIP billing rate).
Step 3: Email uhip@yorku.ca if you still cannot access your card.
- State your full name, student number and attach a scan of your passport information page,
- Request that we review your UHIP enrollment details as you cannot download your card, and
- If you have received errors from the Cowan webpages you have used to download your UHIP card, please send screenshots of the errors so we can evaluate your case appropriately or forward it to uhip.ramu@cowangroup.ca for Cowan's assistance.
Whenever you have a healthcare appointment, you must always show your UHIP card, as follows:
- At the doctor's office, you show your UHIP card to the registration clerk before your appointment.
- At the hospital, you need to show your UHIP card to the registration clerk, the doctor(s) and the laboratory technician(s) you see that day.
- At the laboratory or diagnostic centre, you show your UHIP card to the registration clerk before your appointment.
Ensure your name, address and phone number in the healthcare provider's records match the information in your Cowan account. Otherwise, Cowan will not pay for your healthcare costs that day and you will have to pay as if you have no insurance (which can be up to 3 times the cost through UHIP).
UHIP preferred providers are clinics, hospitals, laboratories and diagnostic centres that accept the UHIP card. The table below shows the process for a preferred provider visit vs a non-preferred provider visit:
| Preferred Provider | Non-preferred provider |
| You present your valid UHIP card. | You make payment at the clinic/hospital/lab. |
| The clinic/hospital/lab will bill Manulife directly per the OHIP Schedules of Benefits (ex. medical, laboratory or, for students that are 19 years of age or under, optometric). | You email a completed UHIP Claim Form, diagnosis note, invoice and payment receipt to Cowan at uhip.ramu@cowangroup.ca. Healthcare providers must provide you the OHIP billing codes (composed of one letter and three numbers, such as A007) so Cowan does not reject the claim. |
| There are no out-of-pocket cost for students*. | You may have out-of-pocket costs if provider charged higher than the OHIP billing rate, the limit that Cowan can reimburse. |
*Note: Please note that the Appletree Medical Clinic on the Keele campus is considered a UHIP Preferred Provider, but it charges a $20 administrative fee for every appointment. This administrative fee cannot be reimbursed by UHIP.
The closest UHIP Preferred Provider Network clinics to your university campus are found at the bottom of this webpage.
If you visited a non-preferred provider, you must file a claim for the doctor’s fees within 6 months of visiting the clinic, hospital, laboratory or diagnostic centre. If you submit your claim late, Cowan will deny your claim.
Include the following documentation in your claim:
- Completed UHIP claim form
- Scanned copies or take photographs of the claim form and the accompanying invoices, receipts, diagnosis and referral letters from your healthcare visit(s)
- Submit your claim on Cowan's online secure portal using the guidance in the Submitting online claims brochure
- Add your Canadian bank account's direct deposit information to receive a quicker reimbursement (using the How to sign up for Direct Deposit brochure for support)
- Regularly check the status of your claim and contact Cowan at uhip.ramu@cowangroup.ca if you do not receive in 14 business days' time
Please note that you may not get 100% of your money back. This is because there is a limit as to how much Cowan can reimburse you. If the clinic/hospital/laboratory/diagnostic centre charged higher than that limit, then you will have some out-of-pocket costs.
UHIP Refunds
UHIP is mandatory for all international students, exchange students, International Visiting Research Trainees, Visiting Scholars and their foreign-born dependants. You may be eligible for a UHIP refund for the following reasons:
- Deregistration: If you dropped all your classes before the full tuition refund deadline and did not attend any classes, your UHIP will be automatically terminated and you will be refunded the full cost of UHIP through your student account if you never used your card. This type of UHIP refund is automatic and you should see a UHIP2627 DR transaction in your student account within 6 weeks of your deregistration.
- Withdrawn: If attended some of your classes and dropped them all after the full tuition refund deadline, your UHIP will be automatically terminated and you will be refunded part of the cost of UHIP through your student account. This type of UHIP refund is automatic and you will see a UHIP2627 WD transaction in your student account after the refund process is completed.
- Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage: If you successfully enroll in OHIP, you are eligible for a refund for the part of the year that you are enrolled in OHIP (unless you apply after the day that you receive your OHIP Transaction Record at ServiceOntario). See below to apply for a UHIP refund. Once it is issued, you will see a UHIP2627 OHIP ELIG transaction in your student account.
- Alternate Canadian federal, provincial or territorial basic health insurance plan: If you successfully enroll in another Canadian government's basic health insurance policy, you are eligible for a refund for the part of the year that you are enrolled in it (unless you apply after the day that you receive your health card). See below to apply for a UHIP refund. Once it is issued, you will see a UHIP2627 GHIP ELIG transaction in your student account.
- Alternate private health insurance plan: You are not eligible for a UHIP refund unless you are a diplomat or a scholar whose foreign government is paying for all your educational, living and health expenses in Canada. Please email uhip@yorku.ca to discuss your situation before applying for a refund by the exemption deadline of October 15, 2026.
- February Convocation: If you graduate in February, you may request a refund for the Winter and Summer term of UHIP if you are leaving Canada by using the link below to apply. The deadline for this type of refund request is March 1. Once your refund is issued, you will see a UHIP2627 FA ONLY transaction in your student account.
- Absence from Ontario/Canada: If you are studying via corresponding or completing thesis work outside of Ontario, you should apply for a partial UHIP refund using the link below and purchase a private travel insurance policy that gives you adequate health insurance where you are studying. The deadline for this type of refund request is March 1. Once your refund is issued, you will see a UHIP2627 NIC or UHIP2627 NIO transaction in your student account.
To request a UHIP refund, click here. Please note that:
- You must allow 4-6 weeks for refunds to be processed by Cowan,
- UHIP refunds are not issued retroactively, and
- Refunds will not be issued if full refund applications are not received by the deadlines stated above.
Resources
For details about your UHIP coverage; finding a doctor, hospital, laboratory or diagnostic centre; how to submit a claim form and more; visit: https://uhip.ca/.
For your extended health plan details, please see the contact information for your student union below:
Undergraduate students: York Federation of students
| Contact Reason | Contact Information | |
| YFS | Enrolling your dependants Changing your coverage YFS plan premium questions Applying for a YFS premium refund To update your name, date of birth, email or address | Website: YFS Health Plan Email: yfshp@yfs.ca |
| Green Shield (insurance company) | How to submit a claim Information about your YFS health claim If you need help using the https://www.greenshield.ca/en-ca/student-centre to: - register your account - resolve technical issues with account access - see your coverage card | Website: Student Greenshield+ Sign In Phone: 1-888-711-1119 |
Graduate students (non-TA): York University Graduate Students' Association
| Reason for contact | Contact Information | |
| YUGSA | Enrolling your dependants YUGSA plan premium questions Applying for a YUGSA premium refund To update your name, date of birth, email or address Confirmation of YUGSA plan coverage letter | Website: YUGSA Health Plan Email: health@yugsa.ca |
| Green Shield (insurance company) | How to submit a claim Information about your YUGSA health claim If you need help using the https://www.greenshield.ca/en-ca/student-centre to: - register your account - resolve technical issues with account access - see your coverage card | Website: Student Greenshield+ Sign In Phone: 1-888-525-7587 |
Graduate students (TA): Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903
| Reason for contact | Contact Information | |
| Pensions and Benefits Office | Applying for enrollment Enrolling your dependants To update your name, date of birth, email or address | Information website: CUPE 3903 Sun Life Benefits Enrollment website: Submit a Ticket Email: askpb@yorku.ca |
| Sun Life Canada (insurance company) | How to submit a claim Information about your Sun Life health claim If you need help to: - register your Sun Life account - resolve technical issues with account access - see your coverage card | Card download and information website (using the plan number, 014098, and your benefits ID, which is your employee ID): Sun Life Canada Phone: 1-877-786-5433 |
The iamsick.ca website is a student-made resource that helps you find the most appropriate healthcare providers that operate near your home in 70+ languages. To find providers that take the UHIP card, use normal Search function to look for providers in Toronto, Ontario. Then, use the Advanced Search function and click the "Only show providers with UHIP insurance options" to narrow down the list to UHIP preferred providers.
Health811 is a free, confidential phone and Web service that you can call at any time--day or night. You can dial 811, chat with a healthcare navigator or nurse at Chat online - Health811, or visit the Health811 website to navigate the Ontario healthcare system or use the Symptom Assessment Tool. Chatting with a Registered Nurse or using the Symptom Assessment Tool will help you decide if you should:
- Take care of yourself at home
- Make an appointment with your doctor
- Go to a clinic
- Go to a hospital emergency room
Stay active to maintain good health! York Athletics and Recreation has activities for you to engage in to stay active. Visit their website for more information.
Students in Ontario can speak with registered clinicians who have experience counselling a diverse student population at their York campus:
- Glendon: view available services on the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being at the Glendon Campus website and either book a virtual counselling appointment or walk in during in-person counselling hours
- Keele: view available services on the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being website and either book a virtual counselling appointment or walk in during in-person counselling hours
- Markham: contact Victoria Scott to schedule an appointment and view Wellness Resources & Accessibility Services - Markham Campus for available services
The Student Counselling, Health & Well-being team provides more support than just counselling services (e.g. 2SLGBTQIA+ and Racialized Student support groups, process groups, and peer-led workshops). It also hosts Well-being Week each term at all YorkU campuses to promote your health and wellbeing year-round!
You may also reach out to the following on-campus wellness resources on York's campuses:
- Graduate Student Wellness Services
- Student Success and Wellness Counselling at Osgoode Hall Law School
- Centre for Indigenous Student Services
Counsellors at York can only practice on Ontario. International students, International Visiting Research Trainees and Visiting Scholars located outside of Ontario or seeking counselling supports after-hours and on weekends may access counselling free of charge through the GuardMe & Telus Student Support App.
For resources on stress management and mental health, as well as immediate support and hotlines, please visit this page.
Tools
Want to find out if you are eligible for UHIP? Complete this quiz!
Find out how to get your UHIP card here!
To apply for/extend UHIP for yourself or for a dependant, please complete this form.
If you qualify for a refund, fill out the Request a UHIP Refund form now to maximize your refund amount!
These medical organizations (which can also be found on the UHIP Preferred Provider Network website) agree to bill Cowan Insurance Ltd. at the UHIP rate, so you do not need to worry about submitting a claim.
The following medical specialists take the UHIP card:
Dermatologists at DermCafé | AXIS Gynecology | York Finch Eye Associates (Comprehensive & Surgical Eye Care)
Reach Out To Us
| Contact Reasons | Contact Information | |
|---|---|---|
| York International | - Enrolling yourself and/or your dependant spouse and child(ren) into UHIP - Applying for a UHIP refund - Inquiring about your UHIP charge or refund - Updating your name, date of birth, email or address - Requesting a UHIP coverage letter - Asking for support and guidance during a health or wellbeing issue or crisis | Website: https://www.yorku.ca/international/international-students/health-insurance-health-care/uhip/ Email: uhip@yorku.ca (make sure you include your full name and student number) Virtual Appointment: Available by email request Drop-ins: Available in the Events Calendar. Registration required. Office Location: Room 270L, York Lanes (Keele Campus) |
| Cowan (insurance company) | - Getting information about UHIP coverage - Learning how to submit a claim or claim appeal - Requesting an explanation of your UHIP claim - Asking for help to register your Cowan Group Benefits Member Access - Applying for a health expense pre-approval - Inquiring about Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada plan eligibility before your UHIP coverage ends | Website: https://uhip.ca/ Phone: 1-866-500-8447 |
We're available in person and online at all three campuses! Drop-in advising is available several times a week in English and French. Register for a UHIP Drop-in Session or Claim Submission Blitz on the Events Calendar.
FAQs
All international students who are registered in courses for a Fall/Winter 2026-2027 term will automatically be enrolled in UHIP for the period of September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, with emergency coverage in place from August 10 to 31, 2026. If you have not yet enrolled in your courses, please do so as soon as possible. If you must change classes, please drop them one at a time, replacing each before you drop the next course. This way, you never accidentally withdraw or deregister from the university.
If you have dependants (partner/spouse or children) with you in Canada, they can also be added to your plan. See the Enrollment Process section for details.
Once UHIP enrolment is complete, your UHIP card will be emailed to your @my.yorku.ca email address. Please check your Junk or Spam folders if you don’t receive the notification message by the end of August.
For info on how to access your YorkU email, check out UIT's website.
UHIP will pay up to CAD 1,000,000 per policy year for eligible health services and medical treatments you and your family might need to maintain your health while living in Canada. This includes hospital services, physician and nurse practitioner services, and laboratory and diagnostic tests.
UHIP is comparable to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), not identical. The UHIP card is only accepted within the UHIP Preferred Provider Network, so all UHIP members are required to use the network to avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs (due to uninsured medical service rate charges). UHIP also does not cover any extended health insurance services, except when they would be OHIP-eligible.
You have 6 months from the date the medical service was received to submit a claim to Cowan for reimbursement.
Visit UHIP Forms & Important Documents for info on how to submit your claims online.
Your UHIP Member ID is YU + your student ID (e.g. YU123456789) and your policy number is 150150.
- Print your UHIP card (sent to your YorkU email)
- Present your UHIP card at a preferred clinic/hospital/lab (find one on the UHIP Preferred Provider Network website)
- It will bill UHIP directly
If you visit a non-preferred provider, pay for services out of pocket and apply for a partial UHIP reimbursement (instructions on the Submit a claim website).
UHIP covers basic medical costs such as doctor and hospital visits and laboratory and diagnostic tests. UHIP does not cover prescription medications, dental and vision fees, vaccines, or the costs of paramedical services like physiotherapy, massage therapy, psychologists, therapists, etc.
These medical costs are covered through your extended health plan, which is administered by your student union. If you are an undergraduate student, make yourself a YFS_Health Plan Card using your union's template. If you are a not a teaching assistant, use the YUGSA Health Plan Card template to make your card. If you are a teaching assistant, contact askpb@yorku.ca for guidance on how to access your extended benefits card.
Your extended health plan is administered by your student union.
- Undergraduate students: York Federation of students (YFS) | yfshp@yfs.ca
- Graduate students (who are not teaching assistants): York University Graduate Students' Association (GSA) | health@yugsa.ca
- Graduate students (teaching assistants): Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903 Sun Life Benefits | askpb@yorku.ca