Student Health Plan

The Saint Mary's student Health & Dental Plan is administered through the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA).

Sarah Bray, Health Plan Manager
Student Centre, 5^th Floor, Room 522
healthplan.smusa@smu.ca 

This is a student-oriented benefits plan for both domestic and international students. This plan has coverage for prescription drugs, dental services, travel, accident, vision, paramedical services (counsellors, psychologists, physio, massage, chiropractor, etc.) and more.

All students taking at least one academic credit are automatically billed and enrolled on this plan each academic year.

Policy #: 0091939000
ID #: 00012345600 (your unique student A# in this format)

This plan is for international students and covers emergency medical expenses such as: visiting the doctor, diagnostic/lab tests (such as blood work, x-rays, etc.), hospital visits, surgery, specialist appointments, and more.

All international students are automatically billed and enrolled on this plan each academic year.

Policy #: 91460
ID #: A00123456 (your unique student A#)

_{* Domestic/PR students do not have this plan because they have emergency medical coverage through their provincial health care (known as MSI in Nova Scotia). Dual citizens (who applied to the university as Canadian), should contact the Health Plan Office to be enrolled onto the Intl Basic Health Plan until they qualify for provincial coverage.}

Opting Out of the Extended Health/Dental Plan:

If you have comparable alternative coverage (through a parent, spouse, or work) you may apply to opt-out. Your Extended Health/Dental opt-out must be submitted during the opt-out period in which you begin your studies for that academic year (for most students, this occurs during the Fall Term opt-out period):

Students starting in SEPTEMBER
(Fall Term) Opt-Out Period
August 1 - September 25

Students starting in JANUARY
(Winter Term) Opt-Out Period
December 15 - January 25

Students starting in MAY
(Spring Term) Opt-Out Period
April 15 - May 25

Students starting in JULY 
(Summer Term) Opt-Out Period
June 15 - July 25

Opting Out of the International Basic Health Plan:

Effective September 2019, international students who have private coverage are not eligible to opt-out of the SMUSA International Basic Health plan. Private coverage may be something you purchased on your own or have through your parents/spouse.

There are two exceptions through which specific criteria must be met to opt-out of the International Basic Health Plan. 

1. A student who has active provincial health care coverage (known as MSI in NS) (depends on effective/expiration dates)
2. Exchange/Visiting students with equivalent coverage from their home university

Please note:

• Please visit the Student VIP website to opt-out or contact healthplan.smusa@smu.ca for support.
• Opt-Outs must be submitted each academic year. MSI opt-outs may need to be submitted more than once per year depending on the expiry date.
• Opt-Outs are only granted if proof of alternative, comparable coverage is provided and the plan is unused (meaning no claims have been made, which is confirmed with the insurance company).

Opt-ins are only available for students looking to add dependents to the plan(s). Students on the plan may enroll their spouse, common-law partner, and/or dependent children onto the benefits for an additional fee during the opt-in period in which they begin their studies for that academic year (for most students, this is the fall term).

A dependent opt-in form needs to be submitted each academic year.