Health insurance coverage is mandatory for all eligible B.C. residents.
ASM students are responsible for ensuring they have valid, up-to-date coverage through the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) at all times, once they qualify.
Without insurance, the cost of health care in Canada can be very high and could pose a serious financial burden.
Every term at registration, you must confirm that you have valid MSP coverage.
1. Primary Insurance
Provided through the Medical Service Plan
2. Bridging Insurance
Provided through GuardMe for the three month qualifying period for new students.
3. Extended Health Insurance – GuardMe PLUS
Additional benefits for full-time ASM students after their first term.
The MSP is a health insurance plan that covers the cost of medically required services of physicians and surgeons and for dental or oral surgery when medically required.
Under the Medicare Protection Act, every resident of British Columbia is required to be under the coverage of the BC MSP. If you are new to Canada, you must apply for MSP as soon as you arrive. There is a 3 month waiting period before new residents to BC are eligible for BC MSP. During this time you must have private insurance, which ASM will arrange for you.
If you are moving from another province, you should arrange for coverage with your former basic health plan during the waiting period. If your family is not here yet, they need to keep their existing provincial health care. Once they arrive, you can apply to add them to your plan. Also, the waiting period for each family member will begin on their individual arrival date.
Under the Medicare Protection Act, every resident of British Columbia must have MSP coverage.
If new to Canada, you must apply for MSP as soon as you arrive.
The waiting period is three months before you are eligible.
During this time, you must have private coverage (ASM will arrange GuardMe for you).
Keep your previous provincial coverage during the waiting period.
Family members’ waiting periods begin on their arrival date.
International students enrolled in British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) are invoiced a monthly health fee. Revenue Services of British Columbia (RSBC) provides billing and collections services for the health fee on behalf of the Province of BC. Therefore, you need to pay a $75 healthcare coverage fee per month. (note these rates are subject to change. Please consult the BCMSP website) This would vary if you have a spouse and or dependants.
MSP is the provincial insurance program that pays for required medical services. These include medically necessary services provided by physicians and midwives, diagnostic services including x-rays, dental care and oral surgery performed in a hospital, eye examinations if medically required and some orthodontic services. Read more here.
If you have any questions about your application, please contact MSP at 1-800-661-2668 or email your inquiries to mspenquiries@hibc.gov.bc.ca
Note you might be already covered by MSP if you have been a resident of British Columbia before enrolling in Acsenda.
Who gets it?
New students who have not yet qualified for MSP.
What it covers:
New injuries or illnesses after your arrival in Canada.
Not for pre-existing conditions, routine doctor visits, or treatments.
Extra coverage not included in MSP (emergency dental, transportation, prescriptions).
Cost:
Included in your first term tuition.
Access:
You will receive your GuardMe card by email.
Present the card at participating GuardMe clinics in Vancouver.
If visiting a non-GuardMe clinic, pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement.
Acsenda is launching GuardMe PLUS to provide extra protection beyond MSP.
MSP covers basic care (doctor visits, hospital care) but not many emergency or extra needs students may face. GuardMe PLUS fills these gaps.
All full-time ASM students after their first term.
Not available for dependents of ASM students.
$75 per term (billed with tuition fees).
| Service | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Prescription Medication | 30-day supply |
| Emergency Transportation | $100 taxi fare to/from hospital or clinic |
| Air Evacuation & Return Home | Included |
| Out-of-Canada Coverage | 30 days limited USA coverage |
| Medical Equipment & Supplies | Included |
| Family Transportation (7+ days hospitalization) | $6,500 |
| Repatriation of Remains | $15,000 |
| Burial at Host Country | $5,000 |
| Dental Injury | $4,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $600 |
| AccessAbility | $1,000 |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | $50,000 |
| Common Carrier Accident | $100,000 |
| Trauma Counselling | 6 sessions |
| Physiotherapy / Speech Therapy | MSP first, then up to $100 |
| Psychotherapy | MSP first, then up to $1,000 |
| Private Duty Nursing | MSP first, then up to $15,000 |
| Ambulance | MSP first, then included |
You may opt in to GuardMe PLUS.
Once enrolled, you must stay in the plan until your final term.
You must have an active MSP card.
Opt-in period: Aug 13 – Oct 10, 2025 via the GuardMe Plus Opt-In Form in your student portal.
GuardMe regular insurance in first term.
GuardMe PLUS automatically starts in second term.
Apply for MSP in first term.
Automatically enrolled in GuardMe PLUS in first term.
Regular GuardMe not included.
Must have MSP card or apply immediately.
Questions?
Contact Student Services or the Registrar’s Office.
