Health Care Coverage

What UHIP is...

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) provides coverage for basic health care services such as hospital, physician, laboratory, ambulance and some other services generally covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Why UHIP is mandatory...

• As a medical trainee registered with the University of Toronto, you must have insurance to pay for health care services and medical treatments; this is a mandatory registration requirement for the Postgraduate Medical Education Office that must be completed prior to commencing training
• There is a three-month waiting period for OHIP for postgraduate medical trainees (and accompanying family members) that begins on their day of arrival in Ontario. UHIP is required to bridge this gap in coverage.

Who meets eligibility requirements for UHIP?

• An employee:
  An employee with a valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), working in a participating Ontario University or affiliated college
• A dependant:
  • The legal, common-law or same-sex spouse who is living with the eligible employee, where the conjugal relationship has existed for at least 12 months
  • The natural or legally-adopted child, stepchild, or child for whom the eligible employee has been appointed legal guardian, whose primary residence is with the employee, is unmarried, dependent on the employee for support, and under age 22 (under age 25 if studying full- time at an accredited educational institution, or any age if mentally or physically disabled, as defined by UHIP)

What if I already have health insurance coverage from my home country?

• Although you may already have a travel health insurance policy that will cover you in Canada, you are still required to purchase UHIP unless your provider is one of the pre-approved plans listed on the UHIP website at: http://uhip.ca/Enrollment/Index#toc10

More information concerning the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is available at: http://uhip.ca

If your work permit is valid for 6 months or longer, you will have to purchase UHIP for only 3 months. If your work permit is valid for less than 6 months, you will be required to purchase UHIP coverage for the entire duration of your training.

Have coverage under one of these plans:

• Ciência sem Fronteiras (Csf)
• Embassy of Botswana – Student Program (Cowan #G0020376)
• Embassy of the State of Kuwait GHIP Replacement
• Interim Federal Health Care Plan
• Libyan Embassy and Scholarship Program – Canada Policy #G0068002
• Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (SACB-HDP) Policy #165069
• Any Canadian provincial/territorial government health insurance plan (e.g. OHIP)

If your insurance plan is not listed under the pre-approved plans, you may apply for exemption. Please check the UHIP website for details at:
http://uhip.ca/Enrollment/Index#toc10

UHIP Application

The Postgraduate Medical Education Office is located at:
500 University Avenue 6th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1V7

Contact Information for UHIP:
Postgraduate Medical Education Office
Tel: (416) 978-5161
Email: angelina.sulay@utoronto.ca

Contact Information for Cowan Group:
Tel: 1-833-377-8447
Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:00pm (ET)
Email: UHIP.RAMU@cowangroup.ca

UHIP Premiums – September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027²
Learner’s Work Permit Valid for Less than 6 Months

¹Only spouses and children are eligible dependents for UHIP coverage.
²The learner and their accompanying dependents will become eligible for Ontario Health Insurance Plan coverage (3 months waiting period is waived until further notice) and the eligibility is based on the learner's program start date.

What is OHIP?

OHIP is Ontario’s public health insurance plan. It covers many medically necessary health services, such as doctor visits and hospital care. 

OHIP does not cover services that are not medically necessary (for example, cosmetic surgery). 

You can see what OHIP covers here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/what-ohip-covers

How is OHIP Different from UHIP?

OHIP

• Funded by the Government of Ontario 
• No monthly premium (no payment required) 
• Accepted by health care providers across Ontario 

UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan)

• Private insurance required for international trainees and students 
• Must be purchased until you become eligible for OHIP 

Who Can Qualify for OHIP?

To qualify, you must: 

• Be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period 
• Be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of your first 183 days after moving here 
• Make Ontario your primary home 

You must also meet at least one of the following: 

• You are a Canadian citizen 
• You are a Canadian permanent resident 
• You are a registered Indigenous person under the federal Indian Act 
• You have a valid work permit, are working full-time in Ontario for an Ontario employer, for at least 6 months 
  • If you qualify, your spouse and dependents may also qualify 

Important

• If you are eligible, you must apply for OHIP within the first 3 months after you arrive in Ontario. 
• Even if you qualify for OHIP, you must still purchase 3 months of UHIP coverage for yourself (and your family, if applicable).  This covers the OHIP waiting period. 

UHIP and OHIP cover medically necessary health services only. 

They do not cover some services, such as: 

• Prescription medications (in many cases)
• Dental care 
• Vision care 
• Other non-medically necessary services 

Do You Need Extended Insurance?

• If your employment contract includes extended health benefits, you may already be covered. 
• If you are not eligible through your employer, you can purchase private extended health insurance. 

Private Insurance Companies (Examples)

• Sun Life Financial
• Manulife
• Blue Cross (Ontario)
• Green Shield Canada

You may compare plans and choose one that best meets your personal and family health needs.

If You Travel Within Canada (Outside Ontario) 

UHIP will cover medical expenses at the same level as in Ontario. 

If You Travel Outside Canada

• UHIP covers only medically necessary emergency services. 
• OHIP also covers only limited emergency services outside Canada. 
• Coverage amounts are usually very limited. 

UHIP benefits may change if OHIP benefits change.

• UHIP travel coverage
• OHIP travel coverage

Important Recommendation

If you plan to travel outside Canada, it is strongly recommended that you purchase additional travel medical insurance. 

This will help protect you from high medical costs in other countries. 

Travel Insurance Companies (Examples)

• Manulife
• Green Shield Canada
• Sun Life Financial
• Travel Guard Insurance
• Blue Cross Canada
• CIBC Insurance

You may compare plans and choose one that fits your travel needs.