Mandatory iMED enrolment
How do I know if I have iMED?
New (first time) UBC international students are automatically enrolled for iMED as a result of registering for one or more on-campus (in-person) courses. After you register for your first on-campus (in-person) course at UBC, check your Workday Account Activity to confirm you have been charged the iMED fee.
DCIS will email your iMED Card to you at your email address on record at UBC. Check your inbox and junk-mail folders!
Note: Maximum eligible age for iMED is 64
The maximum eligible age for iMED is 64 years. Even if UBC assesses the iMED fee to your student account, iMED insurance will not be valid beyond age 64. If you will be older than age 64 during an iMED coverage period assigned to you by UBC, please notify DCIS right away and DCIS will coordinate with UBC to remove the iMED fee. DCIS will offer an alternative interim medical insurance option if one is available for your age.
Have Questions for UBC about your iMED fee?
If you do not see an iMED fee on your account or if you have a question about the fee please submit your inquiry to a UBC International Student Advisor.
UBC Vancouver students may use the ISD Web Form. UBC Okanagan students, please contact your International Student Advisor by email at ubco.global@ubc.ca.
If you decide to defer or withdraw your UBC admission
If you decide to defer your admission or withdraw from UBC altogether and deregister from all the courses you are enrolled in, then (with certain exceptions) you (and any dependents you enrolled for iMED coverage) will cease to be eligible for iMED. If you defer or withdraw from your first UBC term contact DCIS to review your eligibility for iMED, and if needed to learn about other health insurance options for Canada.
For full details about UBC policy concerning iMED enrolment please read the iMED section of the UBC International Student Guide.
Coverage Dates, Changes, & Options
Coverage Dates
iMED coverage dates are set by UBC according to your first term and program type. Your coverage dates are indicated on the iMED Card emailed to you by DCIS. Read about the coverage period parameters set for your UBC program.
Change Coverage Dates for a later arrival
If you will arrive in Canada after the calendar month in which your iMED starts (for example if your iMED starts August 1, but you arrive in September or later within the same academic term), then you must submit the Coverage Dates Change Form so that your iMED coverage aligns with your MSP waiting period. DCIS will issue you a new iMED Card based on coverage that starts in the calendar month you arrive.
Note: This does not apply to one-term exchange students
Advance Coverage
If you will arrive in Canada before the iMED coverage start date set for your UBC program (for example, if your iMED coverage starts August 1 but you will travel in July), you may purchase extra coverage directly from DCIS. Go to the Advance Coverage page for more information.
Extend Coverage
In certain situations students may extend their iMED coverage. See the Extend Coverage page for details.
Family
If you have an eligible spouse/partner and/or dependent children who will reside with you during your study term, you may purchase iMED coverage for them.
See the Family Members page
Opting Out
In certain circumstances students are eligible to Opt Out of iMED Health Insurance. See the Opting Out page for details and deadlines.
Coverage for Students without iMED
Only New International Students assessed the iMED fee by UBC get iMED coverage. DCIS has other medical insurance plans available for newcomers to BC who do not qualify for iMED.
- For full-time students DCIS offers student-priced medical coverage at the Global Campus Health Plan website.
- Part-time students, visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows and other non-students, contact DCIS for a plan suited to your circumstances.
