All about UHIP

• A visit to the doctor or clinic could cost over $100.
• A trip to the hospital emergency room could cost over $2,000.

• OHIP provides basic medical health insurance for permanent residents of Ontario.
• UHIP covers you for many of the same services covered by OHIP, but the coverage isn’t exactly the same. For instance, UHIP does not cover services such as prescription drugs.

To be eligible for UHIP as a student, you must be one of the following:

• A full-time student with a valid study permit or temporary resident visa issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. You must be registered in a degree program at a university that is participating in UHIP or at an affiliated college. You must be working toward an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree.
• A part-time student who was previously enrolled as a full-time student. You must have a valid study permit or temporary resident visa issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. You must be registered in a degree program at a University that is participating in UHIP or at an affiliated college. You must be working toward an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree. You may be enrolled as a part-time student for a maximum of six semesters.
• A non-Ontario resident who is not entitled to OHIP coverage. You must be a full-time student at a University that is participating in UHIP. You may participate in a study-abroad or co-op work exchange program, or you may receive a letter of permission to attend an overseas University for credit.
• A non-Ontario resident student who does not fit any of the categories above. You must not be entitled to OHIP coverage. You must be registered in an English as a Second Language and/or non- degree program at a University that is participating in UHIP. Participating universities make a decision each year regarding UHIP coverage for these students. If your University elected to extend UHIP coverage to students in this category, you must participate. Coverage under UHIP is mandatory. This coverage is limited to a maximum period of two years.

To be eligible for UHIP as an employee, you must be one of the following:

• An international employee of a University that is participating in UHIP or at an affiliated college. You must have a valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
• A Canadian employee of a University that is participating in UHIP or at an affiliated college. You must have exhausted your lifetime extension of OHIP coverage and be absent from Canada on approved University business (such as sabbatical, special work term or secondment).
• A Canadian employee or other individual who is officially associated with a University that is participating in UHIP or at an affiliated college. You must have applied for OHIP during the three-month waiting period for OHIP coverage and you must be eligible for OHIP coverage.

To be eligible for UHIP as a dependant, you must be one of the following:

• A legal, common-law spouse who is living with the eligible student or employee. Your common-law relationship must have existed for at least 12 months.
• A natural or legally adopted child, stepchild or child for whom the eligible student or employee has been appointed legal guardian. Your primary residence must be with the student or employee. You must not be married, and you must depend on the student or employee for support. You must be under the age of 22. If you are studying full-time at an accredited educational institution, you must be under the age of 25. Or you must be mentally or physically disabled, as defined by UHIP.

To be eligible for UHIP as a short-term visitor, you must be:

• Officially associated with a University that is participating in UHIP or at an affiliated college. You must be in a designated educational or staffing function, or be an invitee attending a seminar. Eligible dependants travelling with the short-term visitor are also covered. Participating Universities make a decision each year regarding UHIP coverage for short-term visitors. If your University elected to extend UHIP coverage to short-term visitors, you must participate. Coverage under UHIP is mandatory. It is up to each University to define short-term. Coverage begins on the date you arrive in Canada, and must run a minimum two weeks and a maximum three months. Visitors staying more than three months must register for UHIP coverage.

• Individuals, other than short-term university visitors and members' families who are in Canada with temporary resident status recognized by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
• Family members of UHIP members whose status is that of visitor under a Minister’s permit, or medical Minister’s permit.
• Correspondence students.
• Those individuals who were not eligible for OHIP coverage before July 1, 1994, or who would not have been eligible had the government not changed eligibility rules.
• Children who become disabled after they are no longer eligible for coverage or who were over age 22 (or age 25 if a full-time student) when the member applied for coverage.
• Students and employees registered at an Ontario University not participating in UHIP.
• Dependants of non-resident internationals who never had UHIP coverage or had coverage under UHIP more than 5 years ago.
• International dependants of Canadian permanent residents who have never been covered under UHIP.
• A student who takes an unapproved leave of absence from a participating University for any reason.

• The average cost of claims across all UHIP members.
• How much health costs are likely to rise.