In January 2002, students in a referendum overwhelmingly voted in favour of an extended health and dental care plan.

At the request of students via a referendum, UMSU implemented a health and dental plan designed by students to provide many important services and cover expenses that are excluded from basic public health care.

Services include additional prescription drug, ambulance, and vision coverage; paramedical treatment; dental care; and more.

Although UMSU advocates for better public health care, it is important that students also have coverage now.

Please visit the StudentCare website for complete information about your student plan. Click here to visit their website.

ALREADY HAVE OR WANT TO CHANGE YOUR COVERAGE FOR THE NEW POLICY YEAR?  

Changes to your health and dental plan (including opt-outs and opt-ins) can only be done during the change of coverage period, which begins on August 25th, 2023 and ends on September 20th 2023. If you’re a new student starting in the winter, the Change-of-Coverage Period is from December 26, 2023 – January 23, 2024.

You can find the opt-out form here.

If you missed the deadline and would like to opt-out, you have an opportunity to still submit your information through an exception request. Please click here for more information.

If you are starting in the Fall Term:

• UMSU members (students who are in at least one on-campus course) who are registered for a minimum of six (6) credit hours of courses and all full-time graduate students are automatically members of the UMSU Health & Dental Plan, and are assessed the fee on their Aurora tuition fee statements in the Fall term. You must also be covered under a Provincial Health Insurance Plan.
• You will become eligible for a 12-month term of coverage commencing September 1 and ending August 31.

If you are starting in the Winter term:

• All students who are newly admitted in Winter Term and are UMSU members (students who are in at least on on-campus course) registered for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours or full time graduate students are automatically members of the UMSU Health & Dental plan, and are assessed the fee on their Aurora tuition fee statements in the Winter Term. You must also be covered under a Provincial Health Insurance Plan.
• You will become eligible for an 8-month term of coverage commencing January 1 and ending August 31.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Returning students to the University of Manitoba, Co-op program students, Distance Education students and/or part-time graduate students may not automatically be assessed health & dental fees on their tuition. If you are not automatically assessed the fees on your Aurora fee assessment and are interested in becoming a member of the plan, please refer to the Opt-In page for detailed information. Please keep in mind you can only do this during the Change of Coverage period. For further information refer to studentcare.ca or call toll-free 1-855-535-3282.

To change your coverage (including opting out) during your Change of Coverage period click here.

Appeal Process

For most University of Manitoba students, participation in the Health & Dental plan is mandatory if they meet the eligibility criteria and do not provide proof of other coverage as well as request an opt out through the proper channels during their Change-of-Coverage period each year. Students who cannot opt out may still be able to opt down to a lower level of coverage during the change of coverage period.

The Health & Dental Plan exists due to a mandate provided by University of Manitoba students and fees are collected by the University under the authority of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union Act UMSU has hired Student Care as the third party administrator of the Health & Dental Plan to ensure the best possible service for students. Student Care is responsible for managing enrollment and eligibility of students in the plan, within the parameters provided by UMSU.

If you feel that these parameters have been applied unfairly or believe an exception is warranted, you can make an appeal to UMSU’s Member Services Committee using the appeals form below. UMSU’s Health & Dental plan is experience-rated, meaning that every change and exception the committee allows will have an adverse effect on the cost of the plan for all other students in the future. This is why the committee will only grant appeals in exceptional circumstances.

Link to file: UMSU Health & Dental Appeal Request

Email appeal request form and all supporting documentation to umsu@umsu.

Once submitted, your appeal form will be sent directly to the Member Services Committee.

In your appeal, you should outline your request (for example: being allowed to opt out of the plan after the deadline) and your dispute (ie: why you missed the deadline.) Everything you submit in your appeal will be considered. The committee that decides on your appeal will not be aware of your prior contact with StudentCare so it is important that you clearly outline what steps you have already taken to resolve the issue before filing a formal appeal.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• It is the responsibility of students to familiarize themselves with university policies and procedures, including deadlines.
• UMSU cannot remove University of Manitoba account holds and students should pay their Aurora accounts in full; an Aurora account credit will be issued in case of a successful appeal.
• The decision on an appeal is final and not subject to further appeal.
• The appeals committee meets approximately every 3 weeks and it is normal to wait approximately one month for an outcome.
• Only eligibility and enrollment for the current academic year can be appealed; prior years will not be considered.

We highly recommend taking the time to understand your plan by reviewing the information given on the Studentcare website.

View or Download the StudentCare Information Brochure