Top 3 Questions

To avoid paying out of pocket, please present your health plan card(s) when accessing medical services.

Claims can be filed online on the Student VIP website: www.studentvip.ca/smusa

The SMUSA Health Plan Office is available to support you in making claims.
Please email us a photo of the bill, invoice, or receipt so we can better assist you - Healthplan.smusa@smu.ca

Yes! Combining benefits between multiple insurance plans is an excellent way to get better coverage and more money back.

How you go about doing this depends on whether you are the main policy holder or a dependent.

If you are the main policy holder on both plans:

1. Submit through whichever plan you have had the longest.

2. Once that claim is processed, download your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and submit it with the original receipts through the second plan.

You are the main policy holder on the SMUSA plan, but a dependent on the other plan:

1. Submit through your SMUSA plan first.

2. Once that claim is processed, download your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) on the Blue Cross web portal and submit the EOB with the original receipts through the second plan.

The International Basic Health Plan does have a pre-existing clause that states coverage for pre-existing conditions is in force if your medical condition has been stable for 90 days prior to the policy start date.

The policy defines stable as:
A state of being in which the Participant has an existing medical condition for which they, in the 90 days before the Policy Year begins, have not:

• been treated or evaluated for new symptoms or related conditions;

• had symptoms that increased in frequency or severity, or examination findings indicating the condition has worsened;

• been prescribed a new Treatment or change in Treatment for the condition (generally does not include reductions in medication due to improvement in the condition, or regular changes in medication as part of an established Treatment plan);

• been admitted to or treated in a hospital for the condition; or

• been awaiting new treatments or tests regarding the medical condition (does not include routine tests).

For students looking to confirm if their condition meets the 90-day stability clause, please contact info@studentvip.ca

Within Canada, students have multiple options for accessing medical care. Regardless of which option you choose, your medical care is private and confidential:

(1) SMU STUDENT HEALTH CLINIC:

We have a health clinic on-campus for students, which offers private and confidential family practice services to Canadian and International SMU students up to one year after graduation.

The clinic is open year-round and is located on the 4th floor of the Student Centre, room SC403.

Book an Appointment HERE

Contact:
(902) 420-5611
student.health@smu.ca

(2) DIRECT2U DOCTORS

This service gives you access to virtual medical consultations with a Doctor to diagnose, prescribe, and refer minor ailments.

Book with Direct2UDoctors here.

(3) PRIMARY CARE CLINICS

There are many ways to access Nova Scotia Health's primary care options, including in-person, virtual and telephone options.

https://www.nshealth.ca/family-medicine-and-primary-care/accessing-primary-care‍ ‍

(4) HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY ROOM

If you feel that your condition is an emergency, and you need help immediately, you can call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency room at the hospital.

The address for the emergency room (Halifax Infirmary): 1799 Robie St, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2

PLEASE NOTE: patients that go to the emergency room are triaged, meaning seen in order of need, so you could experience a very long wait time.

To request a proof of insurance letter, please contact info@studentvip.ca at least 7 business days before you travel.