UNB policy states that all international students who have student or applicable visas must purchase international health insurance. Although most full-time International students are eligible to apply for Medicare, not all students are (i.e. part-time, exchange) and the University must ensure that all students have appropriate health coverage during the application phase.
In order to access Medicare benefits, students must apply with the Province of New Brunswick prior to the start of a new academic year (September). After applying, there is a 3 month residency requirement, however the student could receive their Medicare card prior to the end of the residency period. Students are responsible for all medical costs until they receive a Medicare card, so students must purchase emergency health insurance through UNB during this waiting period.
There are two types of insurance that apply to international students - Emergency Health Insurance and Annual Excursion
Emergency Health Insurance - for those students who do not have New Brunswick Medicare
Annual Excursion Insurance - a supplemental insurance for those students with a valid New Brunswick Medicare card
Emergency Health Insurance coverage for international students is provided through an insurance plan administered by the university. Students are automatically billed the premiums at the start of a term, and these premiums can be seen on the student statement. All full-time and part-time international students in credit courses (including students enrolled in one or more credit courses through the College of Extended Learning's Open Access Learning Program), will be automatically billed for international health insurance, unless the student opts-out of the program by showing a valid Medicare Card.
Yes. It is
mandatory for international students to participate in the UNB Emergency Health Insurance plan unless they qualify for any of the following exemptions:
- have a valid NB Medicare card
- are covered under a mandatory sponsored program insurance plan; or
- reside outside of Canada while studying
Yes. All students with an active New Brunswick Medicare card are required to have the Annual Excursion policy as it will cover travel-related expenses that Medicare will not. It is essential that all international students receive the same insurance coverage while attending UNB, therefore students are not able to be excluded from this coverage.
You are eligible to opt out if you have one of the following:
- a valid New Brunswick Medicare card
- the confirmation of insurance letter from SNB that is mailed out prior to you receiving your Medicare card
- you are studying outside of Canada.
To opt out, complete and follow the instructions on the Emergency Health Insurance Opt Out Form.
Term opt-out deadlines
Opt out forms are to be received by UNB, by the third Friday after the first day of classes each term. After the opt out deadline date has passed, students will not be able to opt out until the following term.Once you have submitted your opt out, you will continue to see the charge on your student statement until the beginning of the second month of the term. Processing occurs the week following the opt out deadline.
If you have opted out by providing your Medicare information, you will not need to process an opt out again until your Medicare card expires*.
*Medicare RenewalsYou must provide proof of your renewed NB Medicare before the expiry date on the card. Failure to do so will result in a pro-rated insurance charge for Guard.me insurance beginning the day after the expiry date to the end of the term.
Guard.me Emergency Health Insurance
This emergency health insurance plan offers single or family coverage for health benefits while in New Brunswick. If a student's family is accompanying the student to Canada, there is an additional charge for each family member.
Cost
$200 per person for a four-month term
Guard.me Excursion Insurance
This insurance offers international students coverage while travelling outside of New Brunswick and/or Canada. Travel outside of Canada is limited to 30 days or less except for USA travel which is limited to 15 days or less. The student's home country is excluded.
Cost
$64.50 for an entire year of coverage per person
If you are not registered for courses during the summer term, you
will not be automatically enrolled in the Guard.me insurance. You will need to purchase insurance directly from them for this period on the
Guard.me/UNB site under the Gap Students tab.
Coverage must be purchased within 30 days of your winter term insurance expiration date and is only for one term. Your guard.me International Health Insurance will automatically renew with your fall term registration.
