Student Drug Coverage: University Health Plans Explained

You Probably Already Have Drug Coverage

If you are enrolled in a Canadian university or college, chances are you are automatically enrolled in a student health plan that includes prescription drug coverage. Most students do not realize this until they need a prescription filled — or worse, until they see the charge on their tuition bill.

This guide explains how student drug plans work, what they cover, and how to decide whether to keep or opt out of your plan.

How Student Health Plans Work

Student health plans are negotiated between your student union and an insurance provider (commonly Studentcare, Green Shield Canada, or Sun Life). The plan premium is typically included in your student fees and ranges from $200 to $500 per year.

What Is Usually Covered

• Prescription drugs — typically 80% reimbursement
• Dental care — cleanings, fillings, and some major work
• Vision care — eye exams and glasses (usually every 2 years)
• Mental health — psychologist and counsellor visits
• Paramedical — massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic

Typical Drug Coverage Details

How to Use Your Student Drug Plan

At the Pharmacy

Present your student health card or insurance information

The pharmacist bills the insurance company directly

You pay the co-pay (usually 20%) at the counter

If the pharmacy cannot bill directly, pay out of pocket and submit the receipt through the insurance provider's online portal or app for reimbursement.

Getting Your Insurance Card

• Check your student union's health plan website
• Download the insurance provider's app (e.g., Studentcare app)
• Your coverage usually starts in September and runs through August

Should You Opt Out?

You have the option to opt out of the student health plan during a designated window (usually the first few weeks of the fall semester). But should you?

Keep the Plan If:

• You do not have other drug coverage
• You take regular medications (the plan easily pays for itself)
• You want dental and vision coverage included
• You are under 25 in Ontario (OHIP+ covers drugs, but the student plan adds dental and vision)

Opt Out If:

• You are already covered under a parent's plan with equal or better benefits
• You have spousal coverage from a partner's employer plan
• You are covered under a provincial program that meets all your needs

Important: To opt out, you typically need to provide proof of alternative coverage. The deadline is strict — miss it, and you are enrolled for the full year.

Coordinating Student Plans With Family Coverage

If you are under 25 and on a parent's plan, you may have two sources of drug coverage. Here is how to coordinate:

Use your parent's plan as primary

Submit the remaining balance to your student plan

Between the two, your out-of-pocket cost may be zero

This is called coordination of benefits, and it is one of the best ways to eliminate drug costs entirely.

Tips for Students

• Compare pharmacy prices before filling a prescription. Student neighbourhoods often have pharmacies with competitive dispensing fees. Use TransparentMedz to check prices near your campus
• Ask for 90-day supplies during the school year to save on dispensing fees
• Keep your insurance card handy — take a photo of it on your phone
• Submit claims promptly — most plans require claims within 12 months
• Check coverage before travel — student plans may include limited travel health insurance

Graduate and International Students

Graduate students are usually included in the same student health plan. International students are also typically enrolled automatically, though some provinces (like BC and Ontario) have separate mandatory health coverage that complements the student plan.

If you are an international student, your student health plan is especially important — it often fills the 90-day waiting period gap before provincial health coverage kicks in.

Make the Most of What You Are Paying For

You are already paying for student drug coverage through your fees. Understanding how to use it effectively can save you hundreds of dollars a year on prescriptions, dental care, and more.