Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

UHIP is a basic medical insurance plan that helps students pay for medical services. This includes some medical tests, emergency care at hospitals, visits to doctors and clinics, and surgery. For a complete list of services covered, see the UHIP plan details. For questions about coverage, contact Sun Life.

While outside Canada, you still benefit from UHIP. However, during the pandemic, the insurance company has agreed to allow you one opt-out per academic year.   

Here are the details for the 2022–2023 academic year

• All international students have been charged UHIP premiums on their fall 2021 statement of account. 

• International students studying online outside Canada wishing to have a UHIP credit on their uOttawa statement of account can sign a UHIP exemption request form. (The form was sent last November to your uOttawa.ca email account, along with exemption conditions.) 

• Students who have declared that they are outside Canada and received a UHIP exemption can’t access UHIP coverage.  

• As UHIP is charged annually, you can only request to opt out in the fall.  

Students admitted for the Winter 2022 term  

Exceptionally, newly admitted students for the winter 2022 term studying online outside Canada were able to opt out during the winter term. The UHIP exemption request form was sent in February. Please note that as UHIP premiums are charged annually, there was only one opportunity to request to opt out (in winter).  

Students admitted for the Spring-Summer 2022 term

Exceptionally, newly admitted students for the Spring-Summer 2022 term studying online outside Canada will be able to opt out during the Spring-Summer term. The UHIP exemption request form will be sent in June. Please note as UHIP is charged annually, there will only be one opportunity to request to opt out (in spring-summer).   

2022-2023 academic year

We are waiting to confirm with the insurance company if an opt-out option will be available for this year.  

Please note that uOInternational only handles UHIP insurance (provided by Sun Life Financial) and, it does not deal with medication, dental, vision and some specialized services. 

For undergraduate students, your additional health and dental insurance, which covers medication, dental, vision, and some specialized services, is handled by the University of Ottawa Students’ Union and provided by Studentcare. For more information, contact the University of Ottawa Students’ Union or Studentcare directly. 

For graduate students (masters, PhD students, etc.), your additional health and dental insurance, which covers medication, dental, vision and some specialized services, is handled by the GSAED and provided by Green Shield. For more information, contact GSAED directly. 

For questions about other fees on your account, contact InfoService. 

See Coverage for your family: Dependents. 

If you have received your UHIP card, find a clinic or doctor through UHIP. By accessing the Sun Life Preferred Provider Network, you’ll find a health-care provider close to you that recognizes the UHIP plan as valid health insurance coverage. 

If you haven’t received your UHIP card, you can see a health-care provider without it and pay for the consultation. Once you receive your card, you can submit a claim to Sun Life for a refund. 

It’s normal to have additional fees not covered by UHIP when you receive medical care and submit your claim form for reimbursement. Sun Life refunds at 125% of the OHIP Schedule of Benefits and fees. If a doctor charges more than UHIP refunds, you must pay the difference. 

Email uOInternational and email Sun Life within 48 hours. 

See the Ontario Health Insurance Plan section on our website.  

Provincial and territorial governments (for example, the Government of Ontario) cover the vaccine cost. Therefore, it’s not reimbursed by UHIP. Learn more about COVID-19 at uOttawa. 

Email uOInternational about: 

• Eligibility 

• Enrolling your dependants 

• Changing your coverage 

• UHIP premiums  

• Premium refunds 

• Updating your name, date of birth, email or address 

• Confirmation of UHIP coverage letter 

Contact Sun Life (toll-free 1-866-500-8447, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ottawa Time) about:  

• What is covered under UHIP 

• How to submit a claim 

• Your UHIP claims 

• Registering for, accessing and printing your coverage card on mysunlife.ca 

uOInternational only handles the UHIP insurance (provided by Sun Life Financial), the mandatory health insurance for international students and their dependants. UHIP doesn’t cover medication, and dental, vision and some specialized services. 

For undergraduate students, the additional health and dental insurance, which covers medication, and dental, vision and some specialized services, is handled by the University of Ottawa Students’ Union and provided by Studentcare.  

For graduate students, the additional health and dental insurance, which covers medication, and dental, vision and some specialized services is handled by the GSAED and provided by Green Shield.   

For information about your additional health and dental insurance,  contact the appropriate association. 

To learn more about the impact of a break on your UHIP or immigration status,  email uOInternational. 

You can also check our immigration FAQ.