University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) FAQs
UHIP is a basic medical insurance plan that helps students pay for medical services. This includes medical tests (e.g., X-rays, blood tests), emergency care at hospitals, doctor and clinic visits, surgery, sexual health care, and an annual eye exam if you are under 20 years of age. For more information, please see UHIP Plan Details.
International students, whether they are in full-time or part-time studies, are automatically enrolled in UHIP for the 12-month period from September 1st to August 31st of every academic year.
UHIP coverage must be extended before the expiry date as coverage must be continuous. You must also have a valid study permit. Ideally, when applying for an extension you should give yourself at least three weeks before your coverage’s expiry date — December 31st if finishing studies in the fall semester or August 31st if finishing in the winter semester. If you will be finishing all your courses in the fall semester and want to extend UHIP coverage, please note that the university closes on December 22nd so you will need to begin the extension process well in advance of the coverage expiration date.
To extend your UHIP coverage, email uhip.information@utoronto.ca who will help you through the process of paying for the extension. Please note that UHIP coverage extension is only possible if you have a valid reason, such as applying for a post-graduate work permit or waiting for convocation.
You should automatically receive your UHIP coverage card through your University of Toronto email address at the start of the academic year from the sender: SLF Coverage Card <slf.coverage.card@email.sunlife.com>. During the pandemic, if you have not received your UHIP coverage card, you can email uhip.utsc@utoronto.ca and ask to be sent one digitally. You may only request your UHIP coverage card if you are currently in Canada.
Once you obtain your UHIP card it is recommended that you register it online. This will allow you to input your bank information and receive reimbursements through direct deposit in the case that you paid upfront fees during your hospital visit. If you experience difficulty in registering your UHIP coverage card, please do not hesitate to contact us at uhip.utsc@utoronto.ca.
Your dependent(s) must be enrolled within 30 days of their date of eligibility (generally the first month of UHIP coverage). To enroll eligible dependent(s), you must follow the instructions found on the UofT UHIP website under the ‘Service Delivery’ section. Please note that your dependent(s)’ coverage is only valid as long as you are covered under UHIP.
The UHIP claim form can be accessed at UHIP Claim Form with instructions available.
No. The UHIP coverage card is not a substitute for required documentation to enter Canada. If you need a proof of enrolment letter, please see: Letter Request Form
Students who are on their co-op term are still considered full-time students and thus pay the normal UHIP fees. You will still be covered by UHIP as long as you are physically within Canada for your co-op placement. However, you must opt into the SCSU extended health plan during the opt-in period as you will not be automatically enrolled.
There are no changes to UHIP coverage due to COVID-19.
As part of the IVGS agreement, you will need to register and pay for UHIP in its entirety. This applies in all cases, regardless of the duration of stay, unless you hold existing coverage under the health plans of a Canadian province. This is true even of students whose health insurance from home extends to provide coverage in Canada.
You can contact the International Student Centre at uhip.utsc@utoronto.ca if you have any UHIP inquiries.
Fees and Exemptions
No. While students were allowed to disenroll from UHIP in the 2020-21 academic year due to travel restrictions, the Government of Canada has once again allowed international students to travel to Canada. Therefore, the normal UHIP rules and regulations of automatic enrollment and exemption are back in effect.
UHIP exemption is only possible if you: (1) have coverage under one of the plans listed on the UHIP Exemption Conditions site (2) have diplomatic status, (3) are covered under a sponsored plan supported by your government, or (4) have or will have access to OHIP.
Email uhip.utsc@utoronto.ca and provide a scanned copy of your TCard, proof of your OHIP coverage/confirmation of eligibility for OHIP coverage from Services Ontario, and complete the following form: UHIP Waiver OHIP
Once the deadline to pay for UHIP passes, students will start to be charged additional interest on the principal amount (in 2021 it is $756), so please make sure to schedule your payment on time.
You must pay for UHIP in a lump-sum payment.
For students graduating in November, as well as students who are no longer enrolled in any classes, UHIP charges will be automatically removed in late-September after confirmation of the student’s financial cancellation. Should a student require a manual cancellation of their UHIP fees, they can contact uhip.information@utoronto.ca
The UHIP fee existing on ACORN will not stop you from receiving your diploma, as long as you do not have any additional outstanding fees. They will be removed before your convocation at the financial cancellation date.
Yes. Both full-time and part-time students pay the same UHIP fees. This also applies to students who are on academic probation.
Yes. SCSU’s extended health plan covers prescription drugs, routine eye exams for persons between ages 20-65, and dental care services — all of which are not covered by UHIP. UHIP and the SCSU together offer you complete health insurance coverage. For more details on SCSU’s coverage, please visit Green Shield Canada, and enter Scarborough Campus Student Union in the search field, or visit the SCSU Health Insurance site.