Health Costs
Canada has one of the best medical systems in the world ... however, it can be expensive if you don’t have medical insurance – as a student, you will need medical insurance while you are here. A visit to a doctor can cost $40 - $60 (or more) and a hospital stay can cost more than $1,000 per day. If you do not have medical insurance, you would be required to pay the entire bill for these medical services.
If you do not have an insurance plan, you can obtain one from Alberta Health Care.
What are my options for medical insurance?
1. If you have a Study Permit (or a Work Permit) valid for at least 12 months, you are eligible to register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), which is the basic insurance coverage for all Albertans. As of January 2009, Alberta Health Care Insurance is free of charge. Although there is no cost, you must still submit an application in order to be covered by the insurance plan. The plan covers visits to the doctor, lab costs, as well as hospital costs should you be admitted to hospital.
Alberta Health Care will not cover:
- Dental Care
- Eyeglasses
- Prescription Medication
2.You must apply within 90 days of your arrival, and the effective date of coverage will be retroactive to the first day you arrived in Alberta from outside Canada. Contact the International Department upon arrival for application forms. For detailed information, please email international@rdc.ab.ca or call 403.342.3594.
3. If you will be studying at RDC for less than 12 months (ESL or exchange students), you will be required to show proof of private health insurance coverage. Registration in a private plan is mandatory for students who do not qualify for Alberta Health Care Insurance. You can purchase this private insurance in your home country or in Canada. We do not recommend any particular plan or agent. We advise students to talk with two or three insurance agents to compare price and services before making a decision on which plan to buy.