September 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By L. Lara<\/em>, Family Care Programmin<\/em>g Assistant, Family Care Office, University of Toronto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When my family and I arrived in Toronto, we knew we would need health coverage, but we didn\u2019t fully understand how the system worked. Like most international students, I was automatically enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)<\/a>, which covers basic services, including doctor visits and hospital care. However, I quickly realized that health insurance doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019 Union (GSU) Health and Dental Plan<\/a>, which helps cover prescription medication, dental care, vision, and mental health services. In addition, if you\u2019re working as a teaching assistant or course instructor, you may be eligible for support through the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Benefits Fund<\/a>, which reimburses some out-of-pocket health and dental expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For undergraduate students, the University of Toronto Students\u2019 Union (UTSU)<\/a> also offers a health and dental plan. While I\u2019m not personally enrolled in this one, it\u2019s important to know that it exists and may provide additional coverage beyond UHIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One resource I wish I had known about earlier is Discovery Pharmacy<\/a>, located at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy<\/a>. Like many families, we assumed that anything beyond basic medical care would involve extra cost or complicated paperwork \u2014 until a neighbour from University Family Housing told us about the pharmacy. That\u2019s how we found out we could receive both our flu and COVID vaccinations<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time, I hadn\u2019t even heard of Discovery Pharmacy \u2014 and that, I think, is a common experience. As international students, we\u2019re handed a lot of information in a short amount of time, and it\u2019s 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<\/a>. 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\u2019re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, this is a great place to start \u2014 and I highly recommend it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As international students, we also carry the responsibility of actively seeking support when needed. Offices like the Centre for International Experience (CIE)<\/a> can help clarify what is covered, how to enroll your dependents, or what to do if you\u2019re unsure where to go for care. For example, if you arrive with your family, UHIP will not automatically cover your spouse or children \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>. I encourage you to attend \u2014 sometimes hearing answers live and knowing you’re not alone makes a big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m still learning how the system works, and I know I\u2019ve missed out on some benefits simply because I didn\u2019t think they were there. If you\u2019re feeling the same way \u2014 unsure, overwhelmed, or just trying to figure it out one step at a time \u2014 you\u2019re 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"A](\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/08\/Health-Insurance-1-1024x605.png\")
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