Enrolling in UHIP

  1. Your enrollment
  2. When will my UHIP coverage begin?
  3. How do I extend my UHIP coverage?
  4. Getting a refund on your UHIP premiums
  5. Getting an exemption from UHIP

Your enrollment

International students – you will be enrolled in UHIP automatically by your University. Premiums will be charged to your student account.

International employees and short-term visitors only – you need to enroll in coverage and pay the University for the cost of UHIP.

Returning Canadians – Canadian and Permanent Resident students/employees returning to Canada and in the OHIP waiting period need to enroll in coverage and pay the University for the cost of UHIP.

Instructions on how to enroll in coverage can be found below.

Renewing your UHIP

International students – you will be re-enrolled in UHIP automatically by your University. Premiums will be charged to your student account.

International employees and short-term visitors only – Your coverage will not automatically renew and you will need to reapply for coverage and pay the University for the cost of UHIP.

Returning Canadians – Canadian and Permanent Resident students/employees returning to Canada and in the OHIP waiting period need to enroll in coverage and pay the University for the cost of UHIP.

Instructions on how to renew your coverage can be found below.

Here’s how to enroll and re-enroll:

  1. Download an application form.
  2. Take the completed form in person to the UHIP office at your University (or as instructed by your University).
  3. Bring documentation to show your arrival to Canada (passport).
You can see the current annual premium costs here.

Enrolling late

Students who enroll late: You must pay your premium as of the first day of your term.
Employees who enroll late: You must pay your premium as of your employment start date.

When will my UHIP coverage begin?

Coverage begins the date you arrive in Canada, but no earlier than the 10th day of the month before your studies or employment begins.
For example:

Arrival in Canada August 5
Start of your studies or employment September 1
Start of UHIP coverage August 10
Arriving in Canada before you’re eligible for UHIP? You will need to buy private medical insurance until your UHIP start date.1

When will my UHIP coverage end?

Your coverage ends if one of the following happens:

  • You stop paying premiums. This happens on the last day of the month for which you purchased coverage.
  • You fail to meet the eligibility requirements. Coverage ends the day this is determined.
  • You retire. If you retire on the first of the month, coverage ends on your retirement date. Otherwise, coverage ends on the first of the month following your retirement date.
  • The group insurance policy is terminated. Coverage ends on that date.
  • You obtain OHIP coverage. Coverage ends on the date this becomes effective.
  • You are denied OHIP coverage. Coverage ends 24 months after the date you receive notification of this denial.
  • You misuse your coverage card. Coverage ends on the date Sun Life obtains evidence of this.
  • You fail to report medical test results or submit false medical test reports to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada in order to obtain medical clearance. Coverage ends on the date Sun Life obtains evidence of this.
Questions? Please contact the UHIP Plan Administrator at your University if you have questions about your start or end date.

How do I extend my UHIP coverage?

Your University needs to approve an extension. You can only extend once and only for specific reasons:

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada approves your stay, you may extend your UHIP coverage for up to four months.
  • This four months starts the day after your UHIP coverage would have ended.
  • Your coverage ends on the last day of the month you graduate/convocate (up to the four-month maximum).
  • You have to be an eligible student on the day you completed your studies.
  • Your extension of UHIP coverage must be continuous.
You may extend your UHIP coverage for up to four months if you have to stay to defend your thesis.
  • This four months starts the day after your UHIP coverage would have ended.
  • Your coverage ends on the last day of the month you defend your thesis (up to the four-month maximum).
  • You have to be an eligible student on the day you completed your studies.
  • Your extension of UHIP coverage must be continuous.
If you are authorized to stay in Canada to travel (e.g., if you have extended your temporary visitor’s permit), you may extend your UHIP coverage for up to 60 days. This 60 days starts the day after your UHIP coverage would have ended. Your extension of UHIP coverage must be continuous.
  • If your document has expired and you have applied to extend it, you may extend your UHIP coverage. Your extension of UHIP coverage must be continuous.
If you or a dependent family member begins an emergency2 hospital stay on the last day of coverage, you may extend your UHIP coverage for up to another 31 days.
  • This coverage pays for accommodation in a standard ward. It doesn’t cover any other expenses.
  • Your extension of UHIP coverage must be continuous.


Other than for emergency hospitalization, you must:
  • Apply for an extension before your UHIP coverage would have ended. Your University will not accept requests after that date.
  • Pay for coverage at time your extension is approved.
  • Buy coverage in 1-month units.
Note: You must enroll your eligible dependants for the extension period, even if they didn’t have UHIP coverage before. Only dependants with an exemption can opt out of UHIP.

How to extend your coverage:

  1. Contact your UHIP Plan Administrator before your UHIP coverage ends.
  2. Pay the required premium.

Coverage for a leave of absence

If you’re taking a Medical or Parental leave of absence, you can ask to keep your UHIP coverage during your leave.
The University must approve at least one month before the start of your leave. They may waive this if the leave is because of an accident or illness.

  • UHIP coverage may continue for up to four months starting from the start date of your leave.
  • This extends to 12 months for parental or maternity leave.
  • Your extension of UHIP coverage must be continuous.

How to request leave of absence coverage?

  1. Contact the UHIP Plan Administrator at your University.
  2. Pay the full required UHIP premium.
  3. Send documents showing your approved leave of absence to Sun Life at case.mgmt@sunlife.com.
    • You must send this fifteen days prior to the start date of your leave.
    • It must show the reason for the leave, effective date and expected return date.
CONDITIONS
Leave of absence coverage must meet the following conditions:
  • You are covered for medically necessary emergency expenses when travelling outside Canada for a maximum of 120 days beginning on and including the date of departure. Upon expiry of the 120-day period, your UHIP coverage will not resume before your return to Canada. It is recommended that you purchase additional travel insurance coverage as significant out-of-pocket expenses may be incurred (see "Am I covered while traveling outside Ontario?").
  • You must pay all required UHIP premiums in full, in advance, prior to the start of your approved leave of absence. Once you return from your approved leave of absence, you may apply to Sun Life for a premium adjustment that will take into account any period during your approved leave of absence that UHIP coverage was not in effect because of the 120-day limitation, as described above.
  • In addition to any other exclusions under this coverage, no benefits are payable for expenses incurred on an approved leave outside of Canada as a result of, or in any way associated with:
    • Suicide, attempted suicide or self-inflicted injury, regardless of whether the member has a mental illness or intends or understands the consequences of their actions.
    • Committing or attempting to commit a criminal act under legislation in the jurisdiction where the act was attempted or committed.
    • A non-recreational or professional sports activity.
Questions? Talk to your UHIP Plan Administrator to learn more about an approved leave of absence. If you have any additional questions, contact Sun Life.

Getting a refund on your UHIP premiums

You may be able to get a refund if one of the following applies to you:

  • You withdraw from your program voluntarily or at the request of the University.
  • You complete your program.
  • You don’t attend regularly, as defined by your program.
  • You have dependant family members who have left Canada.
  • You become eligible for OHIP coverage.3
  • You get a UHIP exemption.3
You cannot get a refund for:
  • Scheduled breaks between terms, if this is the only period you’re applying for a refund.
  • After March 1 of each academic year (except if you have OHIP or you are approved for an exemption).


IMPORTANT! Apply for a refund as early as possible. This may affect the refund amount you receive.

How to request a refund:

  1. Request a refund by contacting the UHIP Plan Administrator at your University.
  2. Bring documentation supporting your eligibility for a refund of premiums.
  3. The UHIP Plan Administrator will send your request to Sun Life.
  4. Sun Life will carefully review your request and notify the University of any approved refund amount.
  5. The UHIP Administrator will forward the decision to you.

How we determine refund amounts:

  • We calculate refunds from the 1st day of the month after Sun Life receives the refund request.
  • Refunds are available for complete calendar months and for the current academic year only.
  • There is no refund for months up to the month of your last paid claim. This applies to ALL refund requests.
  • If you don’t get a refund or don’t agree with the amount, you may appeal the decision.

To appeal your refund:

  1. To make an appeal, please contact the UHIP Plan Administrator at your University.
  2. The UHIP Plan Administrator will send your request to Sun Life.
  3. Once Sun Life carefully reviews your case, your UHIP Administrator will forward the decision to you.

Getting an exemption from UHIP

You must have health insurance while studying or working at an Ontario University. That’s why UHIP is mandatory unless you get an exemption.

Important information to know before applying for an exemption:

  • You must meet at least 1 condition in column A to have your exemption request reviewed.
  • Any requests received that do not meet 1 condition in column A will NOT be reviewed.
  • You must submit your request within 45 days of your UHIP eligibility date.
  • You are responsible for gathering all information that Sun Life requests, in English or French only.
  • Your application does not guarantee an exemption from UHIP.
  • While waiting for Sun Life’s decision, you must remain enrolled in UHIP and pay the required premium.
  • All exemption decisions are valid only for that academic year.
  • If Sun Life approves your exemption, your University may give you a refund.
Column A
If you:		 Column B
Then you need to:
1. Have coverage under one of these plans:
  • Ciência sem Fronteiras (Csf)
  • Embassy of Botswana - Student Program (Cowan #G0020376)
  • Embassy of the State of Kuwait GHIP Replacement
  • Global Affairs Canada - Policy #169623
  • Interim Federal Health Care Plan
  • Libyan Embassy and Scholarship Program – Canada Policy #G0068002
  • Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (SACB-HDP) Policy #06614A
  • Provide valid proof of this coverage to the UHIP Office at your University.
  • You do not need to complete an exemption request form.
2. Have diplomatic status
  • Provide valid proof of this coverage to the UHIP Office at your University.
  • You do not need to complete an exemption request form.
3. Are covered under a sponsored plan supported by your government. (This means your government is paying for your education, living expenses and has purchased a health care policy for you).
Note: your exemption will be declined if you hold publicly funded government insurance from your home country, or if your policy contains any of the following (this is not a complete list):
  • Excludes pre-existing, previously diagnosed chronic/congenital (known or unknown) illnesses or injuries.
  • Plan maximum under $1,000,000.00 CAD.
  • Deductibles or upfront costs.
  • Any exclusions to conditions regardless of the actual existence of any illness/conditions (for example, self-harm, pregnancy, mental health).
  • Policies that base their rates of reimbursement according to their national health care scheme.
 Complete and submit a request for an exemption.
You must submit all of the following documentation (in English or French only) with your request:
  • A completed Request for Exemption from UHIP form.
  • A copy of your member identification card with eligibility dates.
  • A copy of your full policy details that include exclusions and limitations.
Your request will not be considered if any of the information is missing.

Send your completed form and supporting documents to Sun Life by email case.mgmt@sunlife.com or toll-free fax at 1-866-291-9479.

Learn more about how to complete an Exemption form.

Was this helpful?

12 out of 38 people found this helpful.
RELATED PAGES
plan details image

Plan details

family coverage image

Coverage for your family

coverage card image

Coverage card

Footnotes:
1Please note: UHIP does not endorse or advertise any particular private coverage plan. It is your sole responsibility to research a private coverage plan that is right for you.
2Sun Life will not pay costs relating to elective (non-emergency) surgery or treatment during your extension.
3Note: If you become eligible for OHIP coverage or are granted a UHIP exemption following the application deadline, you may still be eligible for a partial refund. For more information contact your UHIP Plan Administrator.

The information presented on this website summarizes the main aspects of UHIP. Your actual benefits from UHIP will be determined according to the terms and conditions of the insurance contract with the UHIP insurer. No typographical or mechanical error made by a University or any of the parties to the UHIP insurance contract will invalidate insurance otherwise in force, or continue insurance otherwise terminated under the insurance policy's terms and conditions.
UHIP Registered © University Health Insurance Plan - All rights reserved
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the insurer and a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies