(4-minute read)
September 2025
By L. Lara, Family Care Programming Assistant, Family Care Office, University of Toronto
When my family and I arrived in Toronto, we knew we would need health coverage, but we didn’t fully understand how the system worked. Like most international students, I was automatically enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), which covers basic services, including doctor visits and hospital care. However, I quickly realized that health insurance doesn’t stop there.
Over time, I learned that many students also have other forms of coverage. For example, full-time graduate students are usually enrolled in the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) Health and Dental Plan, which helps cover prescription medication, dental care, vision, and mental health services. In addition, if you’re working as a teaching assistant or course instructor, you may be eligible for support through the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Benefits Fund, which reimburses some out-of-pocket health and dental expenses.
For undergraduate students, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) also offers a health and dental plan. While I’m not personally enrolled in this one, it’s important to know that it exists and may provide additional coverage beyond UHIP.
One resource I wish I had known about earlier is Discovery Pharmacy, located at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Like many families, we assumed that anything beyond basic medical care would involve extra cost or complicated paperwork — until a neighbour from University Family Housing told us about the pharmacy. That’s how we found out we could receive both our flu and COVID vaccinations there, for free, and without needing to leave campus. It was a small moment, but it meant a lot: knowing that my family could access trusted care from professionals right here at the university brought both relief and reassurance.
At the time, I hadn’t even heard of Discovery Pharmacy — and that, I think, is a common experience. As international students, we’re handed a lot of information in a short amount of time, and it’s easy to miss the things that could truly make our lives easier. What I appreciate now is that Discovery Pharmacy not only offers prescriptions and vaccines, but also one-on-one orientation appointments specifically for international students and their families. You can book a time to speak with a specialist about coverage, how to use your insurance, or where to go for different kinds of care. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, this is a great place to start — and I highly recommend it.
As international students, we also carry the responsibility of actively seeking support when needed. Offices like the Centre for International Experience (CIE) can help clarify what is covered, how to enroll your dependents, or what to do if you’re unsure where to go for care. For example, if you arrive with your family, UHIP will not automatically cover your spouse or children — you need to manually enroll them at the beginning of the term during the opt-in period. Similarly, if you already have equivalent coverage and want to opt out, you must do so before the deadline, which comes quickly and varies by plan.
To help navigate all of this, the Family Care Office is hosting an online information session about UHIP and health care for international students on September 25. I encourage you to attend — sometimes hearing answers live and knowing you’re not alone makes a big difference.
I’m still learning how the system works, and I know I’ve missed out on some benefits simply because I didn’t think they were there. If you’re feeling the same way — unsure, overwhelmed, or just trying to figure it out one step at a time — you’re not alone. Talk to other families, ask questions early, and reach out to U of T support services. Help can be as simple as booking an appointment with an advisor or a peer mentor at the Family Care Office to walk through your questions. The information is there, and so are the people who want to help you find it.