A group of students sitting at desks wearing blue, turquoise and white medical scrubs

Health insurance

As an international student, health insurance is mandatory to attend any programs at Georgian College. You must be registered into courses in an academic semester or registered for a work term/co-op term in Banner (Georgian’s student information system) for health insurance coverage to begin for that term.

If you’re planning to arrive in Canada earlier than the insurance coverage date, you must purchase an appropriate insurance plan to cover any medical expenses from the day you arrive. To purchase early arrival health insurance at a discounted rate, visit the guard.me website.

guard.me International Insurance

Health insurance is provided through a company called guard.me International Insurance. This insurance coverage is for emergency health conditions and new (flu, sore throat, rash, etc.) that starts after your insurance coverage begins (the plan does not cover pre-existing conditions).

If you don’t register into courses in an academic semester or do not register for a work-term/co-op term in Banner, you won’t be covered by health insurance. If you’re out of the normal program progression, you may have to pay additional health insurance fees. It is your responsibility to ensure you have health insurance while in Canada by checking with the International Centre.

It is important that you download the guard.me insurance card once you receive it in your college student email (ex: 200******@student.georgianc.on.ca). Failure to bring your insurance card when visiting the medical facility could result in having to pay for your medical expenses out of your pocket.

Health insurance coverage dates

English language studies (EAPC and ESLG)

YearTermInsurance start dateInsurance end date
2024Fall Sept. 1, 2024Dec. 31, 2024
2025WinterJan. 1, 2025April 30, 2025
2025SummerMay 1, 2025Aug. 31, 2025

Postsecondary students

YearTermInsurance start dateInsurance end date
2024FallSept. 1, 2024Aug. 31, 2025
2025WinterJan. 1, 2025Aug. 31, 2025
2025SummerMay. 1, 2025Aug. 31, 2025

What’s included in your health insurance plan

As an international student enrolled in a postsecondary program at Georgian College, you have health insurance coverage from guard.me and a health and dental plan from Georgian College Students’ Association/mystudentplan.

guard.me international insurance logo

guard.me International Insurance

This health insurance coverage is for emergency health conditions and new (flu, sore throat, rash, etc.) that starts after your insurance coverage begins. The plan does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Services

Services include:

  • hospital and walk-in clinic visits
  • x-rays and lab testing
  • physician/surgeon
  • psychiatric hospitalization
  • psychotherapy
  • eye exams
  • paramedic services
  • physiotherapy/speech therapy
  • private nursing
  • ambulance
  • prescription drugs
  • dental – accidental injury
  • dental – emergency
  • medical equipment and supplies
  • accessibility
  • immunization
  • maternity
  • family transportation
  • air evacuation/return home
  • trauma counseling

Check your student email to access your benefit card (often found in your junk mail folder).

You also have the option of purchasing insurance for your dependents.

Georgian College Students' Association (GCSA) my student plan logo

GCSA mystudentplan

This health and dental plan is for most non-emergency health and dental needs (dental check-up, physiotherapy, massage therapy, etc.).

Health

Services include:

  • physiotherapist
  • speech therapist
  • psychologist/social worker
  • registered massage and athletic therapist (requires a doctor’s note)
  • chiropractor
  • naturopath
  • vision
  • orthopedics

Dental

Services include:

  • annual exams
  • recall exams
  • diagnostic
  • preventative
  • minor restorative
  • extractions
  • oral surgery
  • endodontic
  • periodontic
  • major restorative

EAP students do not have this coverage.

You also have the option of purchasing health and dental coverage for your dependents.

For details, visit the Benefits Plan Office in A159 at the Barrie Campus.

Additional student support

Through guard.me, international students have access to great resources including mobileDOCTOR and Guard Me Student Support Program.

mobileDOCTOR

If you have a medical concern that isn’t urgent and is not an emergency, mobileDOCTOR lets you connect with a doctor from the comfort of your home through a mobile device or computer without going to the clinic.

Available anytime, anywhere through your computer or mobile device, mobile doctors can provide advice, diagnosis and prescriptions online.  *When outside of Canada mobileDOCTOR is for advice purposes only.

Treatment can be provided for asthma, cold and flu, cough, earache, hives, infection, migraine, pink eye, sinus infection, sore throat, urinary tract infection, vomiting, diarrhea and many more. 

You’ll need your guard.me policy number.

Guard Me Student Support Program (GMSSP)

GMSSP offers free service in your preferred language for help with many things including stress, anxiety, feeling alone, culture shock, feeling homesick and more. 

It is a safe and confidential service that you can access for FREE at any time of the day or night from your mobile device or computer. 

Watch the video to see how it works. 

Rexall partnership

guard.me is partnering with Rexall for an exclusive benefits program for all inbound students in Canada covered by Guard.me insurance.

Students will receive benefits such as automatic savings on filling prescription medications, medical interpretation services in over 240 languages, 20% off regular-priced exclusive brands, and much more!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What if I arrive in Canada before my health insurance begins?Georgian College Chevron

If you arrive before the insurance start date, it is important that you purchase your own health insurance from the date of arrival in Canada up to the insurance start date. Please visit guard.me International Insurance to apply for insurance coverage for additional days. Please note that an Early Arrival policy can only be purchased up to 4 weeks prior to the semester start date. 

What can I do for my family members? Can they purchase health insurance?Georgian College Chevron

Dependents (spouses and children) of registered students are able to purchase health insurance through guard.me at a discounted rate. Visit the guard.me and click on “Dependents” to proceed. You’ll need your policy number to purchase insurance for dependents.

If you need to access medical facilities for your dependents while you’re waiting for your insurance card, you’re encouraged to do so. You’ll have to pay for the expense upfront, and make sure you keep the receipt and related notes of these visits.

Important: One you receive your policy number, you have until the end of the month to add your dependents to be able to back-date your insurance. Here are the deadlines to add your dependents to allow back-date:

  • Fall: Sept. 30
  • Winter: Jan. 31
  • Summer: May 31

Will I receive a health insurance card?Georgian College Chevron

You’ll receive an email to your Georgian College email account after the add/drop period in your first semester at Georgian*. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder. The email will include a link to access your policy details and personalized Healthcare Access Card. You won’t receive a physical card, so you must print the card on your own.

Keep the ID card with you in your wallet for proof of health insurance coverage. You’ll also receive a temporary password you can use to log in your account at the guard.me website to allow you access to your ID card and view the status of any claims.

Once you’re registered into courses in an academic semester or you’re registered for a work term/co-op term in Banner, your coverage for health insurance will begin for that term. Even though you receive your card after the start of your first semester, you’re covered from the first day of your first month. If you need to seek medical care before you receive your card, make sure you’re familiar with what is covered. Keep all of your receipts so that you may submit your claim online once you receive your card.

If you still cannot find your policy information a week after add/drop, please email intlinsurance@georgiancollege.ca or visit your Segal International Centre on campus.

* EAP students will receive a new digital health card at the start of each semester.

When do I receive a health insurance card?Georgian College Chevron

In most cases, you’ll receive an email to access your digital health card in your student email after add/drop date. If you do not receive the insurance card by the end of the week after add/drop, please contact us at intlinsurance@georgiancollege.ca.

If you’re on a co-op term, the timing will be different.

I have alternate insurance; can I opt out of my guard.me health insurance?Georgian College Chevron

guard.me health insurance is mandatory for all international students who are registered for courses or a co-op/work term in Banner. That means that if you’re currently in courses or on a co-op/work term, you can’t opt-out, and this includes students with OHIP/alternate coverage.

Do I need health insurance for co-op semester?Georgian College Chevron

Yes. All registered international students at Georgian College are required to have guard.me insurance. As long as you’re registered on Banner, you’ll be insured. This means although you do not pay tuition fee in co-op semester, you’ll have to pay for the insurance fee.

Expect a charge on your Banner account once you register for your co-op. This could mean that if you register late, even if it is after add/drop, you can have a health insurance charge on your Banner account at that point. When you’re on co-op, you’ll have until the next course registration to pay off your balance.

What if I do not receive an email from guard.me to my student email account?Georgian College Chevron

If you do not receive an email from guard.me with your health insurance card, check to make sure you’re registered on Banner. If you’re registered in courses or co-op/work term and don’t have a health insurance card, please drop by the Segal International Centre (C279) and let us know. If you’re are not registered in courses or co-op/work term, please register on Banner or visit the Office of the Registrar. Don’t forget to check your spam or junk email folders for the email.

How can I find a medical clinic near me?Georgian College Chevron

To find the clinic closest to your home, visit guard.me. Once you fill in your address, it will give you a list of the closest clinics. The clinics listed are all direct billing locations.

You can still visit a clinic that isn’t on the list, but you’ll have to pay for the service up front.

What is a claim?Georgian College Chevron

If you visit the doctor’s office without your guard.me card or visit a health facility that does not provide direct billing, you’ll be asked to pay up front for your medical expenses. Keep your receipt and related medical documents so you can make a claim with guard.me and be refunded.

How do I submit a claim?Georgian College Chevron

You can make a claim online if the receipt is under $1,000 by visiting guard.me and clicking on My Claim, then Making a Claim. You’ll be asked to enter your policy number and date of birth. Click Submit and continue the steps through the claim process. On the last page, you’ll be asked to fill in your address. Please ensure your address details are accurate as this is where the cheque will be mailed. You’ll also be asked to scan and attach your receipt(s). If your receipt is over $1,000, you’ll have to submit your claim by mail.

How can I learn more about my Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) insurance?Georgian College Chevron

Get more information on GCSA insurance coverage. This coverage applies to postsecondary students in a full-time diploma, degree, or certificate program.

What if I have a break between my studies, e.g. between EAP and the start of postsecondary?Georgian College Chevron

If the coverage date on your guard.me card is expiring and you’ll be coming back to study at Georgian College, you can purchase health insurance for the gap between programs. Visit guard.me and follow the steps for “gap student.”

Please refer to the coverage dates above to be sure that you don’t purchase health insurance for longer then you need.

Common coverage inquiriesGeorgian College Chevron
  • Dermatologist: To visit a dermatologist, you’ll likely have to be referred by a doctor which means you’ll need to visit the doctor’s office first. Remember, guard.me doesn’t cover any pre-existing conditions (including acne).
    If you’re unsure whether your dermatologist visit will be covered, email customercare@guard.me.
  • Dentist: guard.me International Insurance will only cover a visit to a dentist if it’s an emergency or immediate relief of pain or suffering. If you’re a postsecondary student, you may be eligible under mystudent plan.
  • Eye doctor: You’ll be covered for one non-emergency eye exam per year up to a maximum of $120. There is no insurance coverage for contacts or glasses.
  • Immunizations: You’ll be covered up to $150 for program/course required immunizations. Any immunizations that are not required for your program/course won’t be covered.
  • If you’re unsure what us covered by guard.me, contact the guard.me claims department at 1.888.756.8428 or email customercare@guard.me.
Will I have health insurance after I graduate?Georgian College Chevron

Your guard.me insurance is valid until the expiry date, even after your graduation.

It is strongly recommended to extend your guard.me insurance if you’re not going to have any other insurance coverage.

In order to be covered under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), you’ll need the physical copy of your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Because of this, it may be a while before you’ll be eligible for OHIP coverage. For more information, check the OHIP eligibility and read the PGWP processing times.

You must extend your guard.me insurance within 30 days from the expiry of your current guard.me policy. You can purchase up to maximum of six months. Please visit guard.me and click on “Grad student” to purchase the insurance.

What if I withdraw from Georgian?Georgian College Chevron

If you officially withdraw from the college (or transfer to another institution) after the add/drop deadline, your health insurance coverage won’t be terminated and fees won’t be refunded. Your health insurance will expire on the date indicated on your health card.

What if I don’t register for courses/co-op in Banner?Georgian College Chevron

If you do not register into courses in an academic semester or do not register for a work-term/co-op term in Banner, you won’t be covered by health insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure you have health insurance while in Canada by checking with the International Centre. If you’re out of the normal program progression, it is your responsibility to ensure you have health insurance by checking with the International Centre. You may have to pay additional health insurance fees due to your irregular program progression.

Why am I being charged twice for the insurance fee more than once in the same academic year?Georgian College Chevron

Students can be charged insurance in more than one semester, in an academic year, due to program changes, progression changes/being out of sequence or co-op registration.

If the charge has not been removed, please contact intlinsurance@georgiancollege.ca

Want to learn more?

Georgian Canada

@icgeorgian

Whether you’re an applicant interested in studying at Georgian, an international student in need of guidance, or an individual looking to explore opportunities abroad, don’t hesitate to reach out to our International Education and Development office. We’re here to support you throughout your academic journey!

Contact information

Segal International Centre
C279, Barrie Campus
705.722.5158

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