Your health and well-being are important while you study at VCC. When you’re healthy, you can focus on your studies, stay connected to your community, and pursue your goals.
It’s important to know what resources are available to you to stay well physically, mentally and emotionally. VCC offers some on-campus health services, like counselling. You can use a tool like Medimap to find off-campus medical care.
If you’re from different provinces, having the right medical insurance is important to protect your health while you study in B.C.
Three types of coverage you may need:
- Temporary private insurance (guard.me) – covers you for your first 3 months in B.C.
- Public health insurance (MSP) – the Government of B.C.’s Medical Services Plan
- Extended health & dental (SUVCC plan) – for additional coverage like dental, prescriptions, and vision care
For those studying from abroad, please view international student medical insurance.
1. Temporary insurance (guard.me)
When you first arrive in B.C., there’s a 3-month waiting period before public health insurance (MSP) begins. To keep you covered during that time, VCC automatically enrolls all new international students in the guard.me More Enhanced Plan.
Key details:
- Cost: $148.50 (included in your tuition deposit)
- Covers: Emergency doctor and hospital visits, ambulance, prescriptions, emergency dental
- Duration: First 3 months after arrival
You’ll receive an email from guard.me before your coverage starts. If you don’t, contact [email protected].
You can only opt out if you already have MSP coverage. Approved opt-outs will receive a refund credit. Deadlines depend on your program start date. See full coverage dates and deadlines here. If your program is shorter than 6 months, you may not qualify for MSP and may want to extend your guard.me coverage.
2. B.C. Medical Services Plan (MSP)
MSP is B.C.’s public health insurance and is mandatory for international students staying 6 months or longer. It covers most doctor visits, medical exams, and hospital services.
- When to apply: As soon as you arrive in B.C.
- How to apply:
- Online
- In person at a ServiceBC office
- Mailing a printed form
- You’ll need your study permit and proof of your B.C. address
- Waiting period: Coverage starts after a 3-month waiting period. For example, if you arrive August 20, MSP coverage starts November 1 (coverage is backdated to August 1)
- Monthly cost: $75 for study permit holders (paid to the B.C. government)
To use your MSP, show your BC Services Card at clinics or hospitals. Always call 911 in an emergency.
For billing and refund information, call 1-877-383-0016 or email [email protected].
3. Extended health & dental (SUVCC plan)
Full-time students are also automatically enrolled in the SUVCC Health & Dental Plan provided by GreenShield.
- What it covers:
- Dental care
- Vision (eye exams, glasses)
- Prescription drugs
- Massage, physiotherapy, counselling, and more
- Cost: Less than $23/month
- Digital ID: Download the GSC Everywhere app on the App Store or Google Play
You can opt out within the first 30 days of your program if you have equivalent coverage elsewhere (proof required). You can also add your spouse or children. If you have questions about your health and dental plan coverage, contact [email protected].
Additional Resources
- In Case of an Emergency: Call 911. Life-threatening situations (police, fire, or ambulance).
- HealthLink BC: Call 811 (free of charge) for provincial health information and advice. Registered nurses at HealthLink BC are available to residents of British Columbia any time of the day or night, every day of the year (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Translation services are available in different languages.
- Here2Talk: Available 24/7 via an app, phone, and web. Here2Talk connects students with mental health support. All BC post-secondary institution students have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services.
- Crisis Centre BC: Call 604-872-3311. The Crisis Centre of BC is a leader in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. As a non-profit organization, they are committed to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities.
- Medimap: For walk-in clinics nearby you.
- Regional health authorities around Metro Vancouver:
- Vancouver Coastal Health (Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, and more)
- Fraser Health (Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, and more)