Health insurance plans
Your health insurance
For your health and safety, it is essential that you have health insurance. This means having valid and up-to-date insurance through the government (RAMQ or OHIP insurance, for example) or private providers like Blue Cross for international students. Additionally, you may also be enrolled in supplementary health plans through Concordia student unions, or other private providers (for example, your parent’s insurance plan).
If you are coming to Montreal from outside of Quebec, you will need to ensure that your coverage starts when you arrive and extends throughout your studies.
For information about your insurance coverage, always consult your plan provider directly, as Concordia Health Services does not manage insurance plans.
Medicare for Quebec residents
Consult the Régie de l'assurance Maladie (RAMQ) website for information on Quebec Medicare.
Canadian students from outside Quebec
While you are studying full-time outside your province of residence, your provincial health insurance can cover your basic medical expenses. However, coverage is not automatic: You must contact your province’s health insurance provider before you leave your province to inform them that you will be studying in Quebec and wish to remain covered. This procedure varies from province to province (see links below). You must inform them each year while studying out of province.
If you are required to demonstrate proof of full-time studies at Concordia to maintain your coverage you can obtain a letter of attestation from the Birk’s Student Service Centre by email. Please note that there is a $20 fee to obtain this letter.
Contact information for provincial health plans
- Website for PEI Health Card
- Students studying outside of PEI should consult the section titled "Should I use my PEI Health Card when I am out of province?" on the PEI Health Card website.
- Students studying outside of the NWT should consult the section titled "What Happens if I Am Temporarily Away from the NWT?" on the Northwest Territories Health Care Plan site.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have been living outside of Canada
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has been living abroad and who is coming to Montreal to study, you will need to verify if you are eligible for RAMQ health insurance. For information about eligibility and how to register, visit the RAMQ website, or contact them directly. It is essential that you are insured the entire time that you are in Canada.
If you are eligible to be covered by RAMQ: After you register for RAMQ health insurance, your coverage usually starts after a waiting period of up to three months. If you are waiting for your provincial coverage to begin, you will need to make sure you have insurance through a private provider.
If you are not covered by RAMQ: You can choose to purchase insurance through the International Students Office (sold by term) or another provider. You will need to alert your provider that you do not have provincial coverage.
You may also be eligible for supplemental health plans offered through the CSU/GSA. You can verify if you were automatically enrolled one of these health plans, and contact Studentcare for any questions about this coverage. Note that these are supplemental health plans that do not cover basic health needs such as visits to the doctor or hospital.
International students
International students can learn about Blue Cross health insurance from the International Students Office's insurance page.
Concordia student union health plans
Students who meet certain criteria are automatically enrolled in the Concordia Student Health Plan. To determine if they meet the criteria to be automatically enrolled, as well as to see a summary of benefits, undergraduate students can consult the Concordia Student Union (CSU) Health and Dental Plan and graduate students can consult the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) Health and Dental Plan.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled can learn details about the Concordia Student Health Plan through the Studentcare website.
If you would like to opt-out of your student health plan, you can find more information on the Studentcare pages for undergraduate students or for graduate students.
Staff & faculty health benefits
Insurance coverage depends on your employee group. Visit Carrefour to learn more.
Insurance FAQ
Those with Quebec Medicare can contact the Régie de l'Assurance Maladie (RAMQ) to obtain a replacement.
Canadian residents with Medicare cards from another province can find replacement information on their provincial health department’s website (see above for contact information).
All Canadians have access to health insurance but they must register with their province of residence. Visit your provincial health department’s website to learn how to register.
All international students are automatically enrolled in the Blue Cross health insurance plan for international students upon course registration.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has been living abroad and who is coming to Montreal to study, you will need to verify if you are eligible for RAMQ health insurance.
Yes, if you use your parent’s insurance plan to access services, the services and charges will appear on the account. If you are using your parent’s insurance, you may choose to pay out of pocket for some medical services if you wish for them to remain private. Please notify the administration staff and physician before the appointment/service if you would like to pay out of pocket.