Ï㽶ÊÓƵ

Student Health & Insurance

Note: This is the 2014–2015 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.

Student Health and Health Insurance

Learn more about health insurance, your requirements as a student, and services offered for special medical needs in the following sections.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Aug. 13, 2014) (disclaimer)

Health Professions – Immunization Requirement

Health Professions – Immunization Requirement

A compulsory immunization program exists at McGill for students in the health professions (including Dietetics), as well as in the School of Social Work. If you are a new student in those programs, you must complete the immunization program well before classes begin. You can find further information at www.mcgill.ca/studenthealth/immunize/forms or by calling the Student Health Service at 514-398-6017.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Jul. 28, 2014) (disclaimer)

Health Insurance – International Students

Health Insurance – International Students

International Students (Non-Canadians or Non-Permanent Residents of Canada)

By Senate regulation, all international students (full-time, part-time, half-time, Additional Session, Thesis Evaluation, Non-Thesis Extension, Special, Exchange, and Visiting) and their accompanying dependants must participate in the University's compulsory International Student Health Insurance Plan (IHI). The University and the Quebec Ministry of Education require a copy of your proof of health insurance on file. Students covered by private health insurance are not exempt from the McGill plan. You must confirm your IHI contract on Minerva under the International Student Health Insurance Coverage Form and pick up an International Health Insurance card upon your arrival at McGill University from:

For details on the health insurance plan and information concerning rates, consult the ISS website.

Students who meet certain criteria may be eligible for an exemption. Exemption requests must be made on Minerva under the International Student Health Insurance Coverage Form. Supporting documents for your exemption request should be scanned and emailed to international.health [at] mcgill.ca (ISS), indicating in the body of the email your name, McGill ID number, and exemption request.

Exemptions are valid for one year only, and must be renewed each subsequent year.

All inquiries related to McGill's International Health Insurance plan must be directed to International Student Services:

Note for Continuing Studies: If you are registered in the Intensive English and/or the Intensive French programs, you should contact the Client Services Office, School of Continuing Studies, at 514-398-6200 for information on health insurance.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Jan. 22, 2015) (disclaimer)

Health Insurance – Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents

Health Insurance – Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents

Canadians residing in Canada

All undergraduate and graduate (classed as Canadian full-time or Additional Session, Thesis Evaluation, Non-Thesis Extension, as well as postdoctoral candidates) students will be automatically enrolled in the applicable Students' Society's (SSMU, MCSS, or PGSS) supplemental Health and Dental Plans. For details on fees, change of coverage dates, and what is covered by the plans, refer to , or contact:
  • Alliance pour la santé étudiante au Québec (ASEQ)
  • Telephone: 514-789-8775 or 1-866-795-4435 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Website:

If you are a Canadian student from outside Quebec, you should check with your provincial Medicare office to ensure that you have valid provincial health coverage while studying at McGill.

Canadians who have been residing outside of Canada

If you are a Canadian student who has been living abroad, you may not be eligible for provincial health insurance coverage. To verify your for the Quebec provincial health plan, contact:
  • Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
  • 425 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O., Suite 300
  • Montreal QC H3A 3G5
  • Telephone: 514-864-3411
  • Website:
If you are not eligible, in order to ensure adequate health insurance coverage you may enrol in the group plan offered through International Student Services for international students. Please note that this option is available only during the first month of each new semester at McGill.
Note for Continuing Studies: As a Continuing Studies student, you are not a member of SSMU or MCSS. Therefore, the coverage of the Students' Society's Health and Dental Plans is not applicable.
Note for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies: Graduate students classed as Canadian full-time or Additional Session, Thesis Evaluation, Non-Thesis Extension, as well as postdoctoral candidates are automatically covered by their society's extended Health and Dental Plan (PGSS). Students without valid Canadian Medicare, please see Health Insurance – International Students. In 2014–2015, the cost of this plan is $419.06 (single coverage). Eligible students not charged automatically for insurance fees can choose to enrol themselves during the appropriate Change-of-Coverage period. For more information on what is covered by this plan, as well as enrolment, opt-out procedures, and deadlines, please refer to the latest information at .
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Jan. 22, 2015) (disclaimer)

Special Medical Needs

Special Medical Needs

If you have special medical needs, have your physician submit appropriate information, on a confidential basis, directly to the Student Health Service; see Student Services – Downtown Campus or www.mcgill.ca/studenthealth/see-doctor for contact information on the Downtown campus, and see www.mcgill.ca/macdonald-studentservices/feeling-sick for Macdonald campus.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Jan. 22, 2015) (disclaimer)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Aug. 13, 2014) (disclaimer)
Back to top