Healthcare
Medical Services
There are many fine medical doctors and hospitals in Vancouver—including the UBC Hospital, located just across the street from Regent. The area also hosts a wide range of alternative medical practices. You can ask fellow students or the Associate Dean of Students for recommendations for medical doctors, dentists, etc.
For information about mental health and addiction-related resources, see our Mental Health & Counselling page.
Health Services on UBC Campus
UBC Student Health Service
Students enrolled at Regent College are welcome to use UBC's Student Health Service, which provides a broad range of primary care and specialist referrals. The Student Health Service's primary location is in UBC Hospital, located just across the street from Regent.
UBC Hospital Emergency Department
The UBC Hospital's Emergency Department is open 8 am–8 pm everyday. This location provides emergency care, including for patients with life-threatening conditions due to illness, injury, or overdose.
UBC Health Clinic
The UBC Faculty of Medicine runs the UBC Health Clinic, a family practice teaching facility. Check the Clinic's website to see whether it is accepting new patients.
Health Insurance
All students studying in Canada are legally required to have medical insurance. Hospital expenses in Canada can easily reach thousands of dollars in a very short period of time. In fact, a major illness would leave the average student with virtually unpayable debts. Health insurance in British Columbia consists of a combination of public, private, and extended coverage.
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
The government of British Columbia provides basic health insurance to all BC residents. This is known as a Medical Services Plan (MSP). All residents of BC are required by law to enroll themselves and their dependents with MSP. BC residents receive MSP coverage at no cost.
What does it cover?
MSP covers basic medically-required services provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services, diagnostic procedures, and hospitalization. Find additional details here.
How do I enroll?
You can apply for MSP online or by mail. When you apply you will be asked to upload or send copies of the documents that support the name and Canadian citizenship or immigration status for all persons (e.g., your study permit and/or your spouse's work permit).
If you need assistance, please contact the Associate Dean of Students ([email protected]).
How much does it cost?
The Government of BC does not charge premiums for MSP coverage. However, most international students have to pay a health fee of $75 per month.
When do benefits begin?
New residents to BC are only eligible for MSP benefits after a waiting period. This waiting period includes the month in which you submit your MSP application, plus two months. For example, if you submit your MSP application in the month of September (whether September 1 or 30 or anywhere in between), your waiting period will be September, October, and November, and your MSP coverage will begin in the month of December. It is therefore mandatory that students obtain private health coverage for this waiting period (see below).
Can I maintain medical insurance from my home province?
Canadian students who do not intend to settle permanently in BC may be able to maintain hospital and medical coverage in their home province for the duration of their studies. Each province has different requirements for maintaining health insurance. Make sure to contact the insurance provider in your home province for details.
AMS Health & Dental Plan
Extended health insurance is extremely valuable, as it significantly reduces healthcare costs not addressed by MSP.
If you’re registered in 3 or more credits in the Fall or Winter term, you are automatically enrolled in the AMS Health & Dental Plan when you pay your student fees. For students starting in the Fall Term, your student fees and tuition give you coverage through the AMS Health & Dental Plan for a full year, until August 31. For students starting in Winter Term, your student fees and tuition give you coverage through the AMS Health & Dental Plan for eight months, until August 31.
The AMS Health & Dental Plan covers expenses not covered by basic health care plans, such as British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP), equivalent provincial health care plans, and private basic plans. It covers a range of prescription drugs, dental care, psychologist visits, travel health coverage, vision care, and much more.
To speak to someone about your plan, visit the Studentcare website or head to the Studentcare office located in the UBC Nest (Office 3127).
What does it cover?
This insurance covers dental work, prescription drugs, psychologist visits, physiotherapy, travel insurance, and other services not covered through MSP. You can find details online, or download an overview. from the Studentcare website.
Please note: the AMS Health and Dental plan cannot be used as interim basic health insurance during the three-month MSP waiting period.
How do I enroll?
Students who register in 3 or more on-campus credits in the Fall or Winter terms are automatically enrolled in the plan.
Students who are taking 3 or more audit hours can opt in to the plan by paying student fees. You can opt in to student fees when you register for your courses. There is a very limited time period for opting in or out of this plan at the beginning of each term.
How much does it cost?
For pricing, please see Regent's current Student Fees table, or visit the Studentcare Cost page.
When do the benefits begin?
Benefits are retroactive to the first day of the month in which your coverage begins: September for students who start in the Fall Term and January for students who start in the Winter Term. Confirmation of coverage takes 6+ weeks. During this time, known as a Blackout Period, you can submit a claim but it will not be processed until the Blackout Period ends. You may also hold onto your claims until the end of the Blackout Period.
How do I claim?
When you visit a health practitioner, you will need to show them your UBC Student Card and give them your Group Number: 43979 (Health & Dental Benefits and Travel Benefits). You can also download a Pay-Direct Card for prescription medication.
Claims may also be submitted online via the Pacific Blue Cross website, using the Pacific Blue Cross mobile app, or by mail. Visit the Studentcare How to Claim page for details.
Can I opt my family in?
Yes! Families of students (spouses and children) can opt in to the plan. Learn how to enroll your family.
Note: Changes to your plan, including the addition of family members, must be made during the Change-of-Coverage period, corresponding with the beginning of the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Find upcoming Change-of-Coverage deadlines. You will need to take proof that you have been assessed at Regent to the Health and Dental Plan Office at the AMS Nest at UBC (Office 3128) in order to enrol your family.
Can I opt out?
You are eligible to opt out of the AMS Health & Dental Plan if you:
- Already have equivalent extended health and dental insurance through your employer or spouse
- Are an American student who commutes from Washington state
- Are currently studying online from another country
You can opt out online by following the detailed opt-out instructions on the AMS Health Plan site. Please contact [email protected] if you need help navigating this process.
There is a very limited time period for opting out of this plan at the beginning of each term. If you opt out, this fee will still remain on your student account at Regent until opt-outs have been confirmed from UBC's Plan Office partway through the term.
Note: Changes to your plan, including opting out of coverage, must be made during the Change-of-Coverage period, corresponding with the beginning of the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Find upcoming Change-of-Coverage deadlines.
David Cummings Insurance
New residents to BC are only eligible for MSP benefits after a three-month waiting period. During this waiting period, it is mandatory that students have private medical coverage. Local insurance company David Cummings Insurance Services, Ltd. works with Regent to provide private health insurance during the MSP waiting period to students who need it.
