Health Insurance Information For uWaterloo Students

You are required to maintain health insurance for the entire duration of your stay abroad. Full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in 1.5 on-campus credits and Co-op students on an officially recognized work term are automatically enrolled in the Federation of Students/Graduate Students Association (FEDS/GSA) Health & Dental Plan. Full and part-time graduate students paying tuition to the university are also automatically enrolled in the Federation of Students/Graduate Students Association (FEDS/GSA) Health & Dental Plan. The FEDS/GSA Health Plan provides out-of-Canada coverage for 150 days per trip. This insurance is valid only if the student has active provincial health coverage (OHIP or other) or the equivalent (UHIP).

In Case of Emergency – Europ Assistance
If you have a medical emergency while you are traveling abroad it is mandatory that you call Europ Assistance immediately or as soon after the emergency as possible to ensure adequate medical coverage. Europ Assistance can direct you to a medical provider, ensure that you receive adequate care, and arrange that the billing goes directly to them.
Call collect from anywhere 24 hours a day:

  • In Canada and the USA:  1-800-511-4610
  • In Mexico: 001-800-368-7878
  • Anywhere in the world: 202-296-7493 (call collect if available)

When you call you will need the following information:

  • The FEDS/GSA Health benefits group number: 83307
  • Your eight digit UW Student ID number

At this time you should also notify uWaterloo Police Services at 1-519-888-4911.

FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Office at uWaterloo
The FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Plan office is located in the Student Life Centre, Room 1121-A. You can also call toll free at 1-866-369-8794 between 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday, or visit www.ihaveaplan.ca for more information.

Extension of FEDS/GSA Health and Dental
If you are going abroad for more that 150 days you are required to purchase additional health coverage before leaving the country. This can be paid by dropping off a cheque or money order at the FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Plan Office, situated in Room 1121-A in the Student Life Centre.

Verification of Health Coverage
For some countries, you must obtain a Verification of Health Coverage Letter in order to obtain a work permit or visa. Upon request, letters can be sent to you from the FEDS/GSA Health and Dental Plan Office or by calling 1-866-369-8794.
FEDS/GSA Travel Passport
Students can obtain a wallet-sized travel passports for the FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Plan by visiting www.ihaveaplan.ca.
Out of Canada for more than 7 months in a 12 month period (two international 4 month work terms, or one 8 month work term)
If you are covered by OHIP and you are leaving the province for a period of 7 months or more (including other provinces), you are responsible for notifying the local Ministry of Health Office in person. Please fill in the Change of Information form (014-0280-82) and take it with you to the address listed below. Failing to do so may result in you not being covered while you are away and/or for up to three months upon your return. The local Ministry of Health office is located at:
Ministry of Health
1400 Weber Street East
Kitchener, Ontario
N2A 3Z8
(519) 893-3966
Business Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday



Note #1
When you visit the local Ministry office you should take the following original documents with you:

  • A letter from uWaterloo (available from the Registrar's Office, details here) indicating that you are a full time student, the purpose for which you are out of the province (for example, work, study, or research), as well as the length of your stay abroad
  • A letter from Co-op Education indicating your previous work term abroad.  You can request this letter from your International Employment advisor.
  • Offer letter from your employer stating your job title and the time frame that you will be away.
  • Proof of Citizenship in Canada (birth certificate, passport, etc)
  • Confirmation of name and address (e.g., driver's licence, bank statement, home utility bill, etc)
  • Name and signature documents (e.g., Social Insurance Number (SIN) card, ATM or credit card)
  • Visa documentation

Note #2
If you presently have a red and white health card, you must register for a photo ID health card before you leave the country. The photo ID card that you will be issued will have your anticipated return date on it.

Note #3
OHIP coverage has a set fee rate for emergency health services outside of Canada and you are liable for any higher difference in cost. Remember to keep all receipts for medical expenses you incur when you are out of country so that you can be reimbursed. You must send these receipts to your branch of the Ministry of Health within 6 months of your treatment.

Note #4
If you are covered by another province's insurance, you must check with the Health Ministry in that province to determine their coverages and requirements.  Also notify Provincial Insurance Plan officials of your travel plans to ensure continuous medical insurance coverage.

Can I opt out of the Health & Dental Plan?
Students must be able to provide proof of coverage by an equivalent health plan to opt out of the Health portion of the Plan. No proof of equivalent dental coverage is required to opt out of the Dental Plan. Note: opt outs are valid for the whole policy year, from Sept. 1 – Aug. 31.

To be exempt from the FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Plan, you must have comparable coverage and provide proof of such coverage. Deadlines for opting out of both the Health & Dental Plan are usually the first month of each term and the exact deadlines can be found at www.ihaveaplan.ca. Only students starting school in January can opt out of the plan in the Winter term. You can opt out of the plan online at www.ihaveaplan.ca.
Note: If you are planning to complete a work term in the U.S.A., do NOT opt out of the FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Plan. You will be forced to purchase an additional health plan from the visa provider which is more expensive than the FEDS/GSA Health & Dental Plan.

Submitting a claim
For non-emergency medical services, these can be covered by submitting a claim. You can use your benefits anywhere in the world. Reimbursements are in Canadian funds and are calculated on the exchange rate of the day the claim is processed. Reimbursement is limited to what the service would have cost if done in Canada. When applicable, claims will be coordinated with your provincial health-care coverage. Please ensure that you submit detailed receipts, showing the currency and the date for the services performed while outside of the country.
Claim forms are available on www.ihaveaplan.ca and at the Health & Dental Plan Office. Photocopies or blank claim forms can be used.

Group Number for the FEDS/GSA Health Plan: 83307
Group Number for the FEDS/GSA Dental Plan: 50149

Where to send claims
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
Group Claims Department
PO Box 11805, Stn. CV
Montreal, Quebec H3C 0H3

Other Health-Related Resources
A list of key items to include in a health insurance plan for work or study abroad: