There are multiple health coverage options available to you and your dependents as a postdoctoral fellow at Carleton University. You must register with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan or the University Health Insurance Program, depending on your immigration and residency status. You also have the choice to opt into an extended health benefits plan with Great-West Life.
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
OHIP is a centralized, government-sponsored health care plan provided to all residents of the Province of Ontario who hold an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card. OHIP covers immediate medical care, such as emergency care, in-hospital care, doctor’s visits, and much more. For further information on OHIP eligibility, visit the OHIP Web site or contact OHIP at 1-800-268-1154.
University Health Insurance Program (UHIP)
The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is mandatory for all postdocs at Carleton and their dependents who are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). UHIP coverage must be purchased from the International Student Support Office (ISSO) within the first 30 days of arriving to Canada. If UHIP is not purchased within 31 days for dependents, a $500 late registration fee will be added to the UHIP premiums. You can obtain more information about UHIP by visiting ISSO’s Website or UHIP’s official website.
Voluntary Extended Health Benefit Plan with Canada Life
The voluntary plan provides postdocs with many important services, and covers some expenses not covered by OHIP or UHIP. This benefit plan includes: dental coverage, prescription drug costs with a pay direct drug card and some additional health benefits (such as health practitioners and medical supplies and equipment). To be eligible for coverage without providing proof of insurability, you must apply within 31 days of your start date with Carleton, or within 31 days after your loss of alternate health and dental coverage.