Health Care

It is essential that you have proper medical insurance coverage while you are in Canada. Please read this section carefully.

UNIVERSITY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN (UHIP)

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) was created in 1994 to provide affordable insurance to pay the cost of the hospital and medical services that students or employees at participating universities and colleges in Ontario and their families might need to maintain their health while in Canada. The Plan provides coverage comparable to that of OHIP for Ontario residents. UHIP is mandatory for all McMaster University students, employees, and dependents of students and employees who do not have OHIP coverage. International Student Services administers UHIP for all McMaster Students. Any student inquiries can be directed to the Office of International Student Services at iss@mcmaster.ca or at extension 24748. Some contents of this web page have been quoted directly from the UHIP website. Please visit http://www.uhip.ca/ for further details.

The cost of medical treatment is very expensive in Ontario. It is extremely important that all international students, including exchange students have adequate coverage whilst in Canada . The Universtiy Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is a comprehensive plan that is mandatory to international students. The plan provides doctors' services, hospital ward accommodation, all maternity claims even if pregnancy began before you arrived in Ontario, and coverage for medical care outside Ontario or Canada. The plan is compulsory and students will not be permitted to register unless they purchase UHIP. Students may purchase additional coverage under UHIP if they intend to stay in Canada after completion of their studies or would like to travel outside of Canada. (Please note that UHIP does not cover the cost of prescription drugs and dental work.)

The UHIP premium can be paid in full with other fees or by way of a payment arrangement plan through financial services. In previous years all international students were required to complete the UHIP application form, sign it and have it stamped by a staff person at International Student Services (ISS). This year the application process will be automated. Therefore, you do not need to come to the office and complete the application form yourself, unless you have dependents with you here in Canada. Cards will be ready for pick-up at the beginning of September. Once you receive a UHIP card it allows physicians to charge UHIP for your medical expenses.

Only those international students who can demonstrate they are covered by a Canadian provincial (OHIP), or federally sponsored, health plan will be allowed to waive UHIP. The Office's staff will require proof of coverage to initiate a waiver. This process must be completed before registering in your academic programme.

DEPENDENTS MUST ENROLL IN UHIP WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ARRIVAL IN CANADA.

The University cannot assume financial responsibility for students who incur medical expenses and who are not covered by UHIP.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M SICK?
If you are feeling sick, do not hesitate to get help. Unless you have a real emergency, such as uncontrolled bleeding or a broken bone, do not go to a hospital emergency room for treatment. Emergency rooms are very expensive and, if your condition is not life threatening, you may have to wait a long time for care. When you need medical care, go first to Campus Health Service on campus (after-hours physician replacement service can be reached by calling (905) 574-2777)) or to the "Walk-In Clinic" off-campus (i.e. Westdale After Hours Medical Clinic) located near the University.

Consider whether you would prefer to see a male or female, or older or younger practitioner. Even if you are not asked you should make your preference known. The doctor or nurse may ask you many questions that may appear unnecessary or intrusive, but you should try to answer them as completely as possible. If you have difficulty understanding anything about your medical status or treatment, ask for clarification. If you think you will need a translator, ask when you make your appointment if someone can assist you, or bring a friend. Take your UHIP card or temporary UHIP card, your student ID card and a claim form to any medical facility. Claim forms, which will be used to pay for the doctor's bill, and to pay for laboratory tests, are available on the UHIP website as well as International Student Services (ISS). Students with insurance other than UHIP (listed above) can be sent a bill in the mail, or can pay the bill at the time of the visit, or may use their own claim forms (e.g. CBIE, CIDA health plans).

Campus Health Centre: http://www.mcmaster.ca/health/

DOES UHIP COVER ME OUTSIDE OF ONTARIO CANADA?

UHIP will cover you if you visit another province but only at the same rates as they will cover you within Ontario. There is very little outside of Canada. You will need to call either Liberty Health at 1-800-268-3763 and ask for the Travel Ease Programme or American Express (ask for Dame Joseph at (416)363-3883 for additional travel insurance.

Travel Insurance

Planning to Leave Canada? You need travel Insurance!

UHIP coverage is not sufficient. Students who will be traveling outside of Canada require additional travel insurance. UHIP will cover most put of province cost. However, out of country benefits under UHIP are extremely limited. Graduate Students are covered for the first 60 days out of province and out of country under their Graduate Student Association (GSA) plan. For more information on these benefits please consult the GSA at Ext 22043 or their Website. All undergraduate students who will be traveling out of country and those graduate students who will be out of the country longer than 60 days should purchase additional travel insurance.

Additional Travel insurance

Liberty Health at 1-800- 268-3763 (1-800-COVERME) and ask for the TravelEASE programme.

Before you leave home, please record the date given for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis B vaccine, and TB test for detection of tuberculosis. Please bring this record to Canada with you.

MEDICAL & DENTAL CHECKUPS

We suggest you have a thorough check-up before you leave for Canada. Make sure you bring any optical and medical prescriptions with you. Bring a copy of your own medical records and those for each accompanying member. If you have a chronic medical condition, ask your physician to write a short medical history (preferably in English) for your new physician in Canada. If you use traditional medicines or herbal remedies, you may want to bring enough to last your stay. However, Agriculture Canada has certain import restrictions on some of these substances and their country of origin. If you come from a malaria-risk area, you may need to bring a small supply of medication to treat malaria. Please check with your doctor about this and make the necessary preparations.

DENTAL SERVICES

In Canada, dental treatment is not free. We suggest you have a thorough dental check-up before leaving your country as it is extremely expensive in Canada and is not covered by basic medical plans. Normally, you have to make an appointment to see your dentist. If you have made an appointment and find that you cannot attend, let the dentist know at least 24 hours before your appointment; otherwise you will have to pay. Dentists prefer payment on a cash-only basis unless you are covered by a dental plan. UHIP does not cover dental treatment.

For more information call the Hamilton Academy of Dentistry. Consult friends who have a regular dentist or contact International Student Services (ISS) for a referral. Remember that dental care is not covered by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

To find a personal doctor:
Hamilton Academy of Medicine
206-1 Young Street
Hamilton, Ontario,
CANADA L8N 1V9
Telephone: (905) 528-1611
Fax: (905) 528-7173

To find a personal dentist:
Hamilton Academy of Dentistry
c/o Dr. Michael Oliver
484 Main Street East
Hamilton, Ontario,
CANADA L8N 1K6
Telephone: (905) 526-6078
Fax: (905) 526-6182
or
Contact International Student Services (ISS).

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