University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)
You will be enrolled in UHIP automatically by Algoma University. Premiums will be charged to your student account.
While you are an eligible student, your coverage renewal is automatic.
UHIP Coverage
Click here to familiarize yourself with services that are covered and are not covered under UHIP.
When does coverage start?
Your coverage starts on the date you arrive in Canada or the 10th of the month before you begin your studies, whichever is later. If you arrive in Canada before you are eligible for UHIP coverage, you must purchase private medical insurance until your UHIP coverage begins.
Please see below for an example:
| Arrival in Canada | August 5 |
| Start of your studies or employment | September 1 |
| Buy private medical insurance | August 5-9 |
| Start UHIP coverage | August 10 |
UHIP Number
Your UHIP Member ID is AU + your student ID (e.g. AU1234567890)
A UHIP Welcome email from Manulife Cowan will be sent to your algomau.ca email address.
In this email, you’ll find instructions on setting up your account and how to download a copy of your UHIP card.
Your login credentials will be the same as on your AU student portal or your AU ID card.
Cowan’s Preferred Network
Click here to access Cowan’s Preferred Network of Clinics/Labs/Hospitals. Remember to bring a paper copy of your UHIP card to your medical provider.
Some providers outside of Cowan’s Preferred Provider Network may charge more than what UHIP pays. This extra cost is not covered by UHIP, and you will need to pay the difference to the provider.
UHIP Claim
Click here to learn how to submit a claim. Include all invoices/ receipts (keep copies for your records).
Please visit the Forms & Important Documents page on the UHIP website. This is an additional resource that can be used as a reference.
Please make sure to include a OHIP/Provincial code when submitting your UHIP Claim.
By scrolling down to the Tutorials section, you can learn how to submit a claim for your medical expenses here.
Once you have submitted your claim, please follow up with Cowan.
Below we have listed Cowan’s contact information.
They are available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (Canada)
Toll-Free Number: 1-833-377-8447 Email: [email protected]
UHIP Cost
The premium charged to your account will be based on your start date. This is subject to change. Come to our UHIP sessions to learn more about this.
How much does UHIP cost?
UHIP is a not-for-profit insurance plan. Premiums are based on the academic year (ending August 31).
Rates for September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024:
| Course Start Date | Member | Member + 1 Dependant | Member + 2 or more Dependants |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | $756 | $1,512 | $2,268 |
| January 2024 | $504 | $1,008 | $1,512 |
| May 2024 | $252 | $504 | $756 |
Note: These prices are in Canadian dollars and include 8% tax.
UHIP premiums may change each September 1 based on:
- The cost of claims across all UHIP members.
- Expected increase to health care costs overall.
UHIP OPT OUT
Based on UHIP and Cowan Health Insurance’s policies, opt-out requests must be made within 45 days of the start of coverage (the cut off date is Feb 15, 2025).
When your coverage ends (and re-starts) you can request an opt-out, within 45 days, which Cowan Health Insurance will assess and approve. Please note, when you submit this opt-out request, you must show proof of either a valid third-party health insurance coverage or OHIP.
Who is a Dependent?
Your dependent is someone that must live with an eligible student, employee, or visitor, and be one of the following:
- A legal, common-law (including same-sex) spouse of the student, employee, or visitor. Your common-law relationship must have existed for at least 12 months.
A natural or legally adopted child, stepchild or child for whom the eligible student or employee is the legal guardian. The child must be unmarried, live with the student or employee, and be dependent on the student, employee, or visitor for support. Dependent children must be under age 22, or under age 25 if studying full-time at an accredited educational institution. Disabled dependents, as defined by UHIP, are covered beyond the limiting age.
Premiums will be charged to your student account. While you are an eligible student, your coverage as well as your dependents’ is renewed automatically.
Student VIP Health & Dental Plan
Student VIP is an Extended Health Coverage Plan, offered to you by AUSU in partnership with Student VIP.
All students of Algoma University are offered Student VIP. All full-time students are automatically enrolled into Student VIP, however, part-time Students will have to manually opt-in.
Reach out to the Accounts Team or visit your Financial Summary in your Student Portal, to check whether you have been charged for Student VIP or not.
Click here to access the Student VIP website.
Student VIP and UHIP together gives you almost 100% of Benefits Coverage.
Office(s)
Brampton: B-203, 8 Queen St E, Brampton, ON, L6V 1A3
Sault Ste. Marie: 1520 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2G4
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions will often arise, so we hope the answers below help.
UHIP is a basic and primary health plan that does not cover:
- Routine eye examinations for persons between the ages of 20 and 64. Eyeglasses, frames and/or contact lenses;
- Dental care services, unless considered “Emergency Dental” and specified under “Expenses UHIP pays for”;
- Drugs, whether prescribed or not (unless administered during a hospital stay);
- Extended Health Care Services such as Chiropractor treatment, Massage Therapy and/or Physiotherapy; and
- Acupuncture procedures.
For a complete listing of services not covered please visit the UHIP website.
You will only receive your UHIP card roughly 1 business week after the last date of add and drop courses – one business week after Sep 27, 2024.
If you are unable to find this link, you can visit here.
An email will be sent to your Algoma U email address from Manulife Cowan with steps on how to access your UHIP card.
We do this to ensure all students have an opportunity to add or drop courses for the Semester.
If you need to go see a doctor please do so and hold on to the receipt.
Cowan will reimburse you for services covered under UHIP.
You can register for UHIP today by following these simple steps:
- Go to the UHIP website and click “Register Online” at the bottom of the page.
- Click on ”Sign up now” on the webpage.
- Input your AlgomaU mail under “Your E-Mail Address” and your personal information under “Your Personal Information”.
- Your certificate number is mentioned in your welcome mail from Cowan UHIP.
- Click on Next Step
- You will receive a confirmation mail on your registered AlgomaU mail.
- Look for the “Activate My Account” link and click on that
- Then input your Date of Birth and Certificate number again.
- Set up your password for the account and also select the security question for your account.
- Your account will be activated.
- Please check your University email inbox. You already have received a link to access your UHIP coverage card from Cowan’s email – [email protected].
- Go to the Welcome Email on your AlgomaU Mail from Cowan UHIP and click on “Click here to get your UHIP coverage card”.
- Input the information asked on the webpage like First Name, Last Name, DOB, and Certificate number.
- Your certificate number is mentioned in your welcome mail from Cowan UHIP.
- Then click on submit button and you can check your UHIP E-Card. Either you can download or print it.
- You have to present your E-Card to your healthcare provider.
To find your UHIP Email, we recommend you search your inbox using the following tags:
- UHIP
- Manulife
- Cowan
- “Changes to your UHIP Coverage Card”
- [email protected]
Please visit the “Forms & Important Documents” page on the UHIP website.
By scrolling down to the Tutorials section, you can learn how to submit a claim for your medical expenses here.
Once you have submitted your claim, please follow up with Cowan.
Below we have listed Cowan’s contact information.
They are available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (Canada)
Toll-Free: 1-833-377-8447
Email: [email protected]
If you withdraw from school, your coverage will be automatically cancelled from the day you withdraw. If you withdraw due to illness or injury, contact UHIP to apply to reinstate your coverage. If you withdraw for reasons other than illness or injury, you are required to return your proof of coverage to UHIP. Further use of the insurance is fraudulent. Apply to the Registrar’s Office to be considered for a partial refund of your premium. For more information, please email [email protected]
If you transfer to another Ontario university, you will have UHIP coverage through your new university. To avoid paying at both universities, contact [email protected] to cancel your UHIP as soon as you know you are transferring.
No.
You are required to have health insurance from your exchange university or host country. Contact [email protected] to adjust your UHIP coverage as soon as your exchange is confirmed.
Yes.
You are required to have health insurance while you are pursuing your degree in Ontario. To check if your coverage will be valid during your schedule break, contact [email protected].
Yes.
Outside of Ontario, UHIP limits coverage to medical emergencies. This means that your condition requires immediate medical attention to relieve acute pain and suffering (covered at 100% of what a provider charges in Ontario to the same overall maximum and terms as under OHIP, and excludes ambulances).
You must notify Cowan within 48 hours of your admission to hospital. Some services and treatments need to be approved by Cowan before they happen.
International students may extend their UHIP coverage for a maximum of 1 semester (4 months) after the last period of academic study. This normally occurs when a student wishes to stay in Ontario past their academic term for travel or graduation purposes only. Students can apply for this extended coverage at the end of the term and pay at the Registrar’s Office.
For more information on how to make a payment please visit our Payment, Sponsorship & Important Dates page to learn more.
If you have any questions/ concerns to which you could not find answers for on this webpage please email us at [email protected]. Please include your student number in the subject line when emailing us.
If you have a specific question to which you could not find answers on this webpage, you can book an appointment with us.
Click here to book an appointment.
You can also contact us on (705) 949-2301 extension 3637
Contact
Contact us for assistance and support with all UHIP matters.
UHIP Team
[email protected]
(705) 949-2301 extension 3637
Student VIP Team
[email protected]
705-908-0459