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At MITT, your health and well-being are our priority. That’s why all international students are automatically enrolled in the GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan. This comprehensive plan ensures that you are covered for essential medical services while studying in Canada.
Plan Overview
The GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan is designed to provide international students with affordable and reliable health coverage during their time at MITT. Below is a summary of what the plan includes, what it doesn’t cover, and how to maximize your benefits.
Quick Facts about Your Insurance
- Cost: $2.75 per day (students aged 64 and under).
- Coverage Dates: Starts on your program start date and ends on the date listed on your healthcare access card. Coverage begins on the start date of your study and/or work permit and ends on the expiry date listed on your permit.
- Key Benefits: Includes routine care, emergency medical services, prescription medications, and more.
What’s Covered
Your plan ensures access to a wide range of medical services to support your health and well-being:
- Routine health care: Annual check-ups, treatment for colds, flu, and other minor illnesses.
- Emergency medical services: Accidents, broken bones, stitches, or sudden severe illnesses (e.g., heart attack or food poisoning).
- Prescriptions: Medications, including contraception, are covered.
- Specialized Services
- Paramedical services (e.g., physiotherapy, chiropractic care).
- Vision care (non-emergency).
- Non-emergency dental care (minimum six months of coverage required).
- Vaccinations: Immunizations required for your program of study are covered up to $500 per academic year.
What’s Not Covered
The plan has some limitations. Be aware that the following are not included:
- Flu shots (available free through the Government of Manitoba)
- Services in your home country
- Coverage outside Manitoba or Canada (additional travel insurance may be required)
Tip: Always review your full policy for specific limitations and exclusions. You can access your policy document through your GuardMe account or request a copy by emailing international.health@mitt.ca.
Additional Coverage Options
If you need coverage beyond what’s included in your GuardMe plan:
- Purchase supplemental health insurance privately through other providers.
- Extend your coverage to dependants (family members) by visiting your GuardMe account.
Accessing Your Insurance
Your GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan begins automatically on your program start date. Here’s how to access your coverage and ensure you’re prepared to use it when needed.
Healthcare Access Card
Your healthcare access card is your proof of insurance. You will receive it approximately three weeks after your program starts.
What You’ll Get:
- A link to your GuardMe online account
- A temporary password to access your account
- A digital version of your healthcare access card (PDF)
Tip: Download your healthcare access card to your phone or print a copy for quick reference.
Complete the International Student Health Insurance Plan Early Enrolment Request Form.
Contact GuardMe for early access. Email partnerservices@guard.me or log in to your online account and select ‘Early Arrivals.’
If your healthcare access card has errors, contact international.health@mitt.ca with your:
- Student number
- Full name
- Program and start date
- Correct email address
Reminder: Keep your email address in your Student Portal Account updated, as GuardMe will use it to contact you.
If your classmates have received their card and you haven’t:
- Check your email: Look in your inbox, junk, and trash folders for an email from GuardMe.
- Update your email: Log in to your Student Portal Account, ensure your email is correct, and notify international.health@mitt.ca if updates are needed.
You can still receive medical treatment even if you haven’t received your card yet. Refer to Urgent and Emergency Medical Attention section for detailed instructions.
How to Use Your Insurance
How to Use Your Insurance
The GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan makes it easy to access medical care when you need it. Follow these steps to ensure your health needs are met quickly and efficiently.
Urgent and Emergency Medical Attention
If you need immediate medical care:
- Visit the nearest hospital or urgent care centre.
- Even without your healthcare access card, you can receive treatment.
- Contact GuardMe within 24 hours of being admitted to the hospital:
- Toll-Free (North America): 1-888-756-8428
- Collect Calls: 1-905-731-8291
After Treatment:
- The hospital will provide an invoice.
- Email international.health@mitt.ca with:
- Full name
- Student number
- Birthdate
- Submit the invoice to GuardMe after receiving your healthcare access card to process payment for covered expenses.
Routine and Non-Emergency Care
You can visit walk-in clinics or family doctors for general health needs like check-ups or minor illnesses.
- Use the Find a Canadian Clinic tool in your GuardMe account:
- Choose ‘Use My Location’ or enter your Winnipeg address.
Tip: Some clinics offer direct billing, so you may not need to pay upfront.
Prescription Medication
Prescriptions written by Canadian doctors are covered under the plan.
- Present your healthcare access card at participating pharmacies.
- If you pay upfront, keep the receipt and submit it to GuardMe for reimbursement.
Vaccinations and Immunizations
Vaccines required for your program, including tuberculosis (TB) testing, are covered up to $500 per academic year.
Flu shots are free through the Government of Manitoba but not covered by GuardMe.
Non-Emergency Dental
Coverage is available if you are enrolled for at least six months.
Non-Emergency Vision Care
Includes routine eye exams and certain glasses/contact lens costs.
MobileDOCTOR
For convenient, online medical consultations, use the mobileDOCTOR by GuardMe service:
- What it offers:
- Virtual consultations via text, video, or audio with Canadian doctors.
- Prescription services and lab requisitions (within Canada).
- How to Use:
- Visit mobileDOCTOR on your GuardMe account.
- Access the service anytime, anywhere in Canada.
Managing Your Coverage
The GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan offers flexibility for international students to ensure they remain covered throughout their studies.
Here’s how to manage your coverage, add dependants, and address changes in your enrolment status.
You can extend your health insurance coverage to include family members such as a spouse or children.
Steps to Add Dependants:
- Log in to your GuardMe Dependants.
- Submit proof of your family member’s travel dates to Canada.
- Purchase dependant coverage within 30 days of their arrival.
Need help? Email partnerservices@guard.me for assistance with dependant coverage.
If your program includes a scheduled break, such as between the first and second year of a two-year program, your coverage will typically continue.
For Unscheduled Gaps:
- If you take a break (e.g., skipping a term), you may purchase gap coverage directly from GuardMe within 30 days of your policy’s expiry.
- Coverage options will differ from the MITT-provided plan.
Important: Breaks in studies may affect your eligibility for GuardMe coverage. Contact customercare@guard.me with questions.
If you arrive in Canada before your program start date, you can purchase early arrival coverage:
- Go to GuardMe Early Arrivals
- Ensure you have your MITT policy number and start date ready when requesting coverage.
If you plan to stay in Canada after your program ends, GuardMe offers insurance extensions:
- Visit GuardMe Recent Graduates for options.
- Keep your email updated in your Student Portal Account to receive reminders about expiring coverage.
Supplemental Health Insurance
If your health needs exceed the coverage provided by GuardMe, you can purchase additional insurance through private providers.
Opting Out of Coverage
If you meet specific criteria, you may request to opt out of the GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan. Before opting out, carefully review the plan’s benefits to ensure your alternative coverage meets your needs.
Opt-Out Deadlines
You must submit your opt-out request by the following deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Post-Secondary Students (2025-2026)
The opt-out date will be September 11, 2025.
You may opt out of the plan only if you have valid Manitoba Health coverage (provided by the Government of Manitoba). Alternative private insurance plans are not accepted.
Eligibility for Manitoba Health:
- Spouses or minor children of work permit holders (specific permit validity periods apply).
- For detailed eligibility criteria, visit the Manitoba Health website.
ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਸੂਚਨਾਵਾਂ
- Coverage Duration: You are responsible for ensuring your Manitoba Health coverage remains valid throughout your studies at MITT.
- Liability Disclaimer: MITT is not responsible if your Manitoba Health card expires or becomes invalid, leaving you without health coverage.
- Re-Enrolment Restrictions: Once you opt out, you may not re-enroll in the GuardMe plan until the next program year, if applicable.
- Complete the International Student Health Insurance Plan Opt-Out Request Form.
- Attach the following required documents:
- A copy of your valid Manitoba Health card.
- A copy of your Manitoba Health pink slip (indicating the coverage expiry date).
Submission Window: You must submit all documents within 30 days of your program start date to qualify for full removal from the plan.
If you miss the opt-out deadline or fail to provide all required documents:
- You will remain enrolled in the GuardMe plan
- Requests submitted after the deadline will not be processed
If your request is approved:
- A refund (credit) will be applied to your fee statement in your Student Portal Account.
- Refunds may take 6–10 weeks to process.
How to Make a Claim
The GuardMe@MITT Health Insurance Plan makes the claims process straightforward, ensuring you can access the care you need without unnecessary delays.
Some service providers directly bill GuardMe, meaning you don’t need to pay for medical services upfront.
How to Find Direct Billing Providers:
-
- Log in to your GuardMe account.
- Select ‘Find a Canadian Clinic.’
- Use ‘Use My Location’ or enter your Winnipeg address to find nearby clinics.
If a service provider does not offer direct billing, they may bill you by invoice instead. In this case:
- The service provider sends the invoice to GuardMe for payment.
- You won’t need to pay upfront for some or all eligible costs.
In some situations, you may need to pay for your medical services at the time of treatment.
Steps to Submit a Claim for Reimbursement:
- Log in to your GuardMe account.
- Complete the online claim form.
- Attach all relevant receipts and supporting documents.
Tips for Smooth Claims Processing:
- Ensure your coverage is active before submitting a claim.
- Keep all receipts and documents from your medical visit.
Timeline for Claims Processing
GuardMe typically processes claims within 7–10 business days. For faster service, ensure all documents are complete and accurate before submission.
Need Help?
For assistance with claims, contact:
- Email: customercare@guard.me
- Phone: 1-888-756-8428
If you’re unsure about claim eligibility, email international.health@mitt.ca with your questions.
How to Get Assistance
Online Resources
- Log in to your GuardMe account for detailed coverage information, claims forms, and service provider directories.
Contact GuardMe
- Phone: 1-888-756-8428 (Toll-Free North America)
- Email: customercare@guard.me (Include your policy number and questions for faster assistance)
Contact MITT’s International Health Team
- Email: international.health@mitt.ca Provide your full name, student number, program of study, and start date for support)
Emergency Support
For urgent medical issues, refer to Urgent and Emergency Medical Attention section for step-by-step instructions.
ਐਮਰਜੈਂਸੀ ਸੰਪਰਕ
- Call 911 for urgent medical assistance/emergencies.
- Nearest Hospital/Find a Canadian Clinic
- MobileDOCTOR (Telemedicine)
Contact GuardMe (24/7):
- Toll-Free (North America): 1-888-756-8428
- Collect Calls: 1-905-731-8291
MITT Support
- Email: international.health@mitt.ca (Include your full name, student number, and birthdate for faster assistance)
FAQs and Help
If you have additional questions about your guard.me@MITT Health Insurance Plan, we’re here to help. Here are common inquiries and where to find assistance.
Coverage begins on the start date of your study and/or work permit and ends on the expiry date listed on your permit.
You can purchase early arrival coverage through GuardMe Early Arrivals.
Check your email inbox, junk, and trash folders for an email from GuardMe. Ensure your email address in the Student Portal Account is correct. If updates are needed, email international.health@mitt.ca.
Yes. Visit GuardMe Recent Graduates for extension options.
Yes, you can add dependants (spouse or children) within 30 days of their arrival in Canada. Visit your GuardMe account to purchase dependant coverage.