Hello Students,
I hope your summer is going well!
I know that many of you have been stressed about how your healthcare coverage will be affected in 2018/19 given the province’s decision to cut health care for international students. While we continue to fight against this policy, we do have a positive update on the status of your healthcare for the upcoming year.
The University of Manitoba has approved Manitoba Blue Cross, in conjunction with StudentCare, as the international student health care provider. Receiving health care coverage is mandatory for your enrollment at the University of Manitoba. UMSU had representation on both the working group tasked with finding the new provider and on the Board of Governors which approved the decision, and we feel strongly this is the best option. You will enjoy the same level of coverage as you had previously, and are paired with the same provider as the UMSU extended health and dental plan which you will still have the same access to at the same price.
I can also confirm that the University has agreed to fully cover costs of health care for international students for 2018-19, as UMSU has been advocating for. Unfortunately, dependents are not covered and the health care plan will not be covered beginning in 2019/20. Regardless, we are pleased to say we found the most affordable option for students with the highest level of coverage, while ensuring continuity with both our UMSU health and dental plan and your previous plan.
If you have more questions about the process or what will happen in the future please feel free to email me. Or if you have questions about your plan, please visit https://umanitoba.ca/research/international_centre/health_coverage_faq.html for more information.
Thank you for your patience during what was surely a stressful and trying period.
Cheers,
Jakob Sanderson
President
University of Manitoba Students’ Union
204-474-6519
pres@umsu.ca