Do students in Canada need health insurance?
If you’re currently a student in Canada, you may have health insurance through some combination of:
- Your provincial health insurance plan
- A parent’s private or group insurance plan
- Your university or college’s student union plan
If the medical services you regularly use aren’t eligible for coverage under any of these plans, or if you’re seeking more robust coverage with higher limits and fewer exclusions, you may need to invest in a private health insurance plan to supplement your existing coverage.
Provincial plans
Students in Canada are eligible for universal health care through their province, though certain restrictions may exist for international students.
Provincial health coverage deals with the basics: medically necessary doctor’s visits, hospital care, and emergency medicine. In some provinces, public health care pays for additional services specifically for youth and those in low-income households. For instance:
- Manitoba: All youth are eligible for annual vision exams under the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan until they turn 18.
- Ontario: The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers basic dental care up to age 18, vision care up to age 20, and prescription drugs up to age 25.
- Quebec: Vision care and prescription drugs are covered under RAMQ for children up to age 18.
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Health covers yearly eye exams for all children until they turn 18.
Many provinces extend additional coverage to youth in low-income families and those with specific health needs, such as hearing aids. If you or your child are benefitting from this public coverage, you may lose access around the time they become a full-time student.
As you’re preparing to start university, make sure to review all your healthcare coverage and take note of any provincial benefits you may be aging out of.
Family plans
In Canada, some students may remain on a family’s group or private health insurance plan as dependents to cover services not covered by provincial health plans, such as dental care, paramedical services, mental health care, and more. Age limits vary between insurance companies, but you’ll typically age off a family plan at either 18 or 21. Full-time students are often covered until the age of 25.
Take stock of any coverage you’re currently using as a student on your family’s healthcare plan. For instance, if you’re relying on your parents’ dental plan for routine cleanings and check-ups, consider whether you’ll still be covered as a student.
University and college health plans
If you’re enrolled at a university or college as a full-time student, you’ll likely have access to a student health plan through your school’s student union.
Student health plans typically cover the same type of medical care as group and private health insurance plans: non-urgent medical costs that aren’t covered by provincial healthcare.
Your student union plan may cover:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Vaccinations
- Mental health care
- Paramedical services (e.g., physiotherapy, massage therapy)
- Medical equipment
- Travel insurance
Enrollment in student union plans is typically automatic and mandatory. If you’re automatically enrolled in a student plan, you may be billed unless you opt out. If you already have extended health insurance coverage (say, through a parent’s plan) and don’t want to pay for a redundant student health insurance plan, you may need to fill out a form to opt out of the student union plan.
International students and exchange students may need to opt into a university health plan rather than being automatically enrolled.
If you’re headed to university, take the time to review the student health insurance plan and understand what it offers, what it will cost you, and whether it duplicates coverage you already have.
How much is student health insurance?
The cost of private student health insurance depends on the type of plan you choose. A lower-tier plan will have lower premiums, but fewer inclusions and lower annual limits. Higher-tier plans typically provide more reimbursement and higher annual caps, but they come with higher monthly premiums.
Here are sample monthly rates for PolicyMe’s health and dental plans:
* Premiums are accurate as of January 2026. Rates may vary based on province and other factors.
Who might need private student health insurance?
Private student health insurance is an important resource for university students who don’t have access to a student union plan. This might include:
- Part-time or online students
- Students not living on campus
- Mature students
- Students aging out of existing coverage or graduating
- Students who need higher limits for specific types of care (e.g., major dental services or frequent mental health visits)
If you think you may need private health insurance as a university student, check to make sure that you’re not also being charged for a student union plan. You may need to formally opt out of the plan to avoid charges.
International vs. domestic students: What type of health insurance do you need?
International students may have different healthcare needs than domestic students, particularly in provinces that do not permit international students to access public healthcare.
If you’re attending a Canadian university as an international student, check out our guide to international student health insurance and check your eligibility for a provincial health card in the province where you will be attending school.
International students in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec may need additional health insurance to replace provincial health benefits. Be prepared to provide a valid study permit and proof of full-time enrollment in an educational institution when applying for health care.
How to choose the right student health insurance
Evaluating your health insurance options as a Canadian student can be complicated, but a few simple steps will get you there:
- Start by assessing current coverage. Take into account provincial healthcare programs you may be aging out of, any existing family group or private plans, and the student health plan offered by your university.
- Anticipate your future needs. Do you have looming dental issues that could become serious in the next few years? Are you pursuing athletics? Are you expecting or planning to start a family? Make sure your health coverage is ready to sustain the medical costs of your life plans.
- Avoid over-insuring. Keep in mind that many student health plans will automatically enroll and charge you when you sign up for classes. If you’re already well-insured, look into the process for opting out of any redundant insurance plans.
- Keep track of out-of-pocket costs. Private health insurance is a safety net designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for those with high healthcare needs or low coverage. You may need this supplement if you’re a part-time student or if you have costly prescriptions or heavy extended healthcare usage.
FAQ: Student health insurance
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of October 2025. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.