Health Insurance Requirements

The University of Alberta (UAlberta) requires all incoming exchange students to enroll in the University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan (UAHIP). Coverage by any other insurance plan (with the exception of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan) will not allow you to be exempted from UAHIP.

Note: UAHIP details may change from year to year and might not yet be known for the period during which you plan to be here on exchange (coverage details are usually finalized sometime in August every year). When final details are confirmed, you can view full information on the UAHIP webpage. 

U of A Health Insurance Plan Limitations

Please note the following potential UAHIP limitations so that you can ensure that you have appropriate health insurance coverage prior to arriving in Alberta:

  1. UAHIP will not provide you with coverage while you are in transit on your way to and from your exchange at UAlberta. The purchase of traveller's health insurance is recommended. 
  2. UAHIP might not provide you with sufficient coverage for any existing medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) that you might have. 
  3. UAHIP might not cover all of your medical needs for travel outside of Alberta during your exchange.
  4. Prescription medication has a certain maximum coverage per calendar year. In the past, it has only been covered up to $500. 
  5. We recommend that you are up to date with any immunizations/vaccinations that you may need prior to your arrival, as some are not covered by UAHIP. 
  6. Regular dental care services (e.g., checkups, cleanings, fillings, x-rays), eyeglasses, and frames or contact lenses are not covered.

Please Note:

You are encouraged to acquire supplementary coverage for your exchange before you leave home, as options for purchase in Canada will be limited.

As soon as possible after your arrival at UAlberta, we encourage you to set up a Canadian bank account. Any reimbursements for UAHIP claims will need to be deposited electronically into a Canadian bank account.

Once you are registered in at least one course, you will automatically be enrolled in UAHIP for your UAlberta exchange and the UAHIP fee will be assessed for the term(s) during which you have course registrations but you will not be able to see the fee in your Bear Tracks account until the beginning of August at the earliest.

The UAHIP fee is called "UAHIP Foreign Health" in your Bear Tracks account, and you need to pay it by the fee payment deadline. You do not need to email anyone to request health insurance coverage through UAHIP.

Within three weeks after the start of your UAlberta exchange, you will receive an email from the insurance company explaining your coverage.

If you require medical care after the first day of the month that your studies begin and before you receive the email from the insurance company, connect with an International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) advisor, otherwise, you do not need to take any action until you receive the insurance company email. 

Questions?

Questions about UAHIP?
Contact uahip@ualberta.ca for specific questions about the UAlberta Health Insurance Plan.

Questions about setting up a Canadian bank account?
 Connect with a UAlberta International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) advisor.

Click here to return to the sitemap of the Incoming Exchange Student Application Guide.

Updated for 2024/25 applications