Medical Coverage

All international students must have medical insurance for the time they are in Canada. International Education will arrange medical insurance for you as follows:

$2.00 per day – Student Guard – www.studentguard.com

If your study permit is less than six (6) months duration or you do not have a study permit, coverage for Student Guard can be extended on a daily basis to cover you for the time that you are in Canada. You will be charged for this medical insurance.

Student Guard insures students against the expense of medical service resulting from an illness or injury which first occurred while insured. This plan also covers prescriptions. Coverage for family members ($2.00 per day per person) is also available.

$61 per month – BC Medical

If your study permit is longer than six (6) months duration you must also apply for coverage under BC Medical Services which is operated by the BC Government. You must be in BC for 90 days before this coverage begins. This coverage continues as long as you remain in BC, have a current study permit, and keep your premium payments up to date. You must inform BC Medical if any of these conditions change.

BC Medical insures medically required services provided by general practitioners, specialists and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures. It does not include prescription coverage.

Visiting a Doctor

For minor illnesses or injuries you should visit a “walk-in” clinic. You do not need to make an appointment. Most walk-in clinics are open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Check the yellow pages of the phone book under “Clinics” or your “Welcome to OC! Handbook” (page 11 & 12).

If you have Student Guard medical coverage, the three clinics listed below will accept the Student Guard card and bill Student Guard directly. Other walk-in clinics or doctor’s offices may ask you to pay for the office visit. You should ask for a detailed receipt and take it to the International office where they can help you complete the claim form, if needed.

Mission Park Medical Clinic
102-3320 Richter Street
Kelowna, BC
Tel: 250-868-8222
Mon-Fri 9am-8pm,
Sat /Sun
9am-5pm,
Holidays 10am-5pm

Medi-Kel Clinic
(Rutland)
105-330 Highway 33 West
Tel: 250-765-8565
Hours: Mon-Fri
8:30am - 8:00pm

Medi-Kel
Walk-In Clinic
(Kelowna)
Inside the Real
Canadian Superstore
by the Pharmacy
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 8:00pm
Sat-Sun 9:00am - 8:00pm

Vernon Family Doctors Clinic
Fruit Union Plaza
#116-3103 Highway 6
Vernon BC V1T 9H6
Tel: (250) 545-8332
Sun-Sat 9:00am-9:00pm

If you have BC Medical you should show your care card to the receptionist and your visit will be billed directly to BC Medical.

Visiting the Hospital

You should only go to the Hospital if it is an emergency or if the walk-in clinics are closed and you can not wait until they re-open.

If you do not have BC Medical, the hospital will charge you $570 (non-resident fee). If you are covered under Student Guard you will need to submit a claim to them and they will pay the hospital directly.

If you have BC Medical, show your care card when you register so charges can be billed directly to BC Medical.

No Medical Insurance

If you do not have medical insurance the cost to stay or be treated in the hospital is very expensive. A visit to the emergency room will cost at least $570. If you are admitted it will cost about $3,000 per day. If you have surgery it will cost at least $2,000. Doctors will also charge you for their time.

Okanagan College Students’ Union Extended Medical and Dental

Mandatory for academic students Students enrolled in university courses of at least nine contact hours per week are automatically enrolled in the Students’ Union Extended Health and Dental Plan. These fees are charged at the time of registration.
This is a one-year plan with fees split between the fall and winter semesters.
Coverage is from September 1 until August 31. In order to waive the fees for this coverage a student must demonstrate equivalent coverage by another extended health and/or dental plan. Proof of such coverage must be provided within the first two weeks of classes. Students must fill in a waiver form and return it to the Students’ Union office (next to the International office).

Late waiver forms will not be accepted. For detailed information about this plan, please refer to the Okanagan College Students’ Union Benefits Plan brochure available at the Students’ Union office, or talk with a representative at the Students’ Union office.

Cost & Date
2012-2013