Understanding Your Student Healthcare

Understanding your healthcare options is crucial to ensuring that you have access to necessary medical services while away from home. Having a solid grasp of your healthcare coverage can help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected expenses. With the right information, you can focus on your studies with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're covered.

Canada has universal public health care, meaning that no matter who you are or what you make financially, you have access to healthcare. It is available to Canadian citizens but plans vary from province to province. Because everyone has access to services it can be expected that there will be longer wait times than privatized countries.

Primary Coverage

OHIP

OHIP is Ontario’s health care plan for permanent residents and provides many of the basic health and medical services you may need.

COVERAGE INCLUDES:

Doctor visits
Hospital visits and stays
X-rays
Lab tests
Surgery
Pregnancy
Emergency care

OHIP does not cover prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings, dental services provided in a dentist’s office, or cosmetic surgery.

Visit www.ontario.ca/ohip to see eligibility requirements and apply for a health card.

UHIP

UHIP is the insurance plan for international students*. It provides many of the same health services and medical treatments covered by OHIP. International students are automatically enrolled and billed through their tuition.

COVERAGE INCLUDES:

Doctor visits
Hospital visits and stays
X-rays and lab tests
Surgery
Pregnancy
Emergency care and more

Visit uhip.ca to understand your coverage or contact uhip@lakeheadu.ca.

*AEP & exchange students are automatically enrolled in Guard.Me.

Supplementary Coverage

Supplementary health plans work in combination with UHIP/OHIP to fill gaps in coverage. LUSU provides a plan for students. Undergraduate students fully registered for fall and winter with at least 3.75 FCE before the final date to add in September are automatically enrolled. All other undergraduate and graduate students must opt-in.

COVERAGE INCLUDES

Prescription drugs/ eligible vaccines
Dental care
Vision care
Mental health providers
Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, etc.
And more

LUSU Health and Dental Plan Discounts

Visit lusu.ca/healthplan for additional discounts & savings available through your LUSU health & dental plan

Visit lusu.ca/healthplan to learn more about the health and dental plan

Where to Access Primary Health Care Providers

Lakehead Student Health and Wellness

Thunder Bay

Student Health and Wellness is your family doctor away from home. This by-appointment-only service is available Monday- Friday between 8:45am-4:15pm and wait times for appointments can vary.

All registered part-time and full-time students at Lakehead are eligible for services. Students will be seen by a nurse and/or physician for medical appointments. SHW can bill UHIP directly. Bring your Student ID and health card/UHIP card to all appointments.

To make your first appointment, complete our Intake Form and someone from our office will contact you during regular business hours (Monday-Friday) to schedule an appointment. Follow up appointments can be made by calling 807-343-8361.

Orillia

Appointments with a Nurse Practitioner from the Huronia Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic are available at the Lakehead Wellness Centre on Thursdays. Services are available for available for all registered full and part time students at Lakehead.

To book an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner on campus, please submit the Orillia Health and Wellness Request form through MySuccess.

Need to Be Seen Right Away?

If you need immediate help while on campus, call ext 8911 (Thunder Bay) or ext. 3912 (Orillia). For off-campus emergencies, you can also dial 911, or if you are able, proceed directly to the hospital emergency room. Bring your health/UHIP card.

For non-emergency medical concerns, students can access local walk-in clinics or pharmacists can prescribe certain treatment options, for some common minor ailments. Physician-led walk-ins are covered by OHIP & UHIP but UHIP billing practices vary.