Medical Insurance Information
guard.me
guard.me provides medical coverage for international students who are new to BC. This plan covers required medical services to address new and unexpected illness or injury.
All incoming international students are automatically enrolled in guard.me temporary medical insurance for the first 3 months of study at TWU. guard.me provides you with medical coverage during the waiting period for the BC Medical Services Plan.
Learn more about guard.me.
Yes. Find out more at guard.me.
No. MSP is mandatory for all eligible persons residing in BC.
guard.me is mandatory for all new international students for the first 3 months. You may only opt out of guard.me if you already have valid coverage through the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). Learn More
For non-emergency assistance, send an email to customercare@guard.me.
For emergency assistance, dial:
- 1 888 756 8428 (toll-free in North America)
- 1 905 731 8291 (collect call outside of North America)
To chat online, go to the guard.me website.
If you see a doctor or nurse, you will first need to pay out of pocket and then make a claim on the guard.me website. If you go to the hospital, you need to be prepared to pre-pay for your visit, bring along your study permit, and contact guard.me for assistance with your claim. Make sure you keep all your original receipts in order to submit a claim.
guard.me is private health coverage meant to bridge the gap for international students who have a 3-month waiting period before being eligible for MSP.
MSP is our provincial medical insurance, and it covers required medical services provided by physicians, specialists, diagnostic facilities, laboratory facilities, and hospitals.
Yes, guard.me has a service called Mobile Doctor that allows you to speak with a Canadian doctor using your phone, tablet or computer. This is part of your health benefits with guard.me.
BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
MSP is our provincial medical insurance, and it covers required medical services provided by physicians, specialists, diagnostic facilities, laboratory facilities, and hospitals.
If you are moving from another province, you should apply for MSP and arrange for coverage with your former medical plan during the 3 month wait period to ensure you have full medical coverage while living in BC. There are no monthly MSP fees for Canadian students.
Immediately upon your arrival. MSP is mandatory while living in B.C. and there is a 3-month waiting period before coverage begins.
You will need your study permit and mailing address to apply for MSP. If you live on campus in Langley, this is:
Trinity Western University
Student First/Last Name & Box #9
22500 University Drive Langley,
BC V2Y 1Y1
Important Information for Returning International Students
If you go home for the summer you still need to keep up with your payment for your MSP coverage. You can only cancel your MSP if you are leaving the country for longer than 6 months. Anything shorter than 6 months is considered a vacation and you are responsible for the monthly payments.
Your MSP coverage is only valid for the duration of your study permit. If your study permit expires, your coverage expires. It is therefore very important that you send MSP your new study permit when the old one expired. To upload your study permit click on this link and then choose "New MSP Account Change Request."
Still have questions?
Still have questions about temporary medical insurance (guard.me) or MSP?