Medical Insurance

You are required to have adequate medical insurance to enrol in ELI programs. The ELI’s medical insurance provider is iMed, managed by David Cummings Insurance. This medical insurance will be effective for the duration of your ELI program. iMed fees will be included in your final tuition balance.

A copy of your iMed card will be emailed to you during the first week of your program from David Cummings Insurance. You must carry your iMed card with you at all times in case of medical emergencies.

With your iMED card, you don’t have to pay for your visit if you see a doctor at the Student Health Service at UBC or the University Village Medical Clinic, and Khatsahlano Medical Clinics. Medical benefits cover emergency hospitalization and medical services (including out-patient treatment at a doctor’s clinic) for an unexpected sickness or injury. View the David Cummings Insurance website for detailed information about iMED and the full policy.

You can see a doctor in any other clinic or hospital in BC but you may need to pay in advance. View the David Cummings Insurance website for instructions on how to submit claims and how to download claim forms.

iMed Coverages Dates & Fees

2023 Programs

 

English for Academic Purposes

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
January 3-February 23 December 20-February 27 $200
February 27-April 20 February 24-April 24 $200
May 1-June 22 April 24-June 26 $200
June 26-August 17 June 23-August 21 $200
August 28-October 19 August 21-October 23 $200
October 23-December 14 October 20-December 18 $200

Explore

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
May 23-June 22 May 19-June 26 $125

Global Citizenship for English

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
February 21-March 17 February 17-March 20 $100
June 5-30 June 2-July 3 $100
July 4-28 June 30-July 31 $100
August 8-25 August 4-28 $100
September 5-22 September 1-25 $100

Discover

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
January 3-February 23 December 20-February 27 $200
February 27-April 20 February 24-April 24 $200
May 1-June 22 April 24-June 26 $200
June 26-August 17 June 23-August 21 $200
August 28-October 19 August 21-October 23 $200
October 23-December 14 October 20-December 18 $200


2024 Programs

Business English

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
June 3-28 May 31-July 1 $100

English for Academic Purposes

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
January 8-February 29 December 19-March 4 $200
March 4-April 25 March 1-April 29 $200
May 6-June 27 April 29-July 1 $200
July 2-August 22 June 28-August 26 $200
September 3-October 24 August 26-October 28 $200
October 28-December 19 October 25-December 23 $200

Explore

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
May 21-June 20 May 17-June 24 $125

Global Citizenship for English

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
January 8-26 January 5-January 29 $100
January 29-February 23 January 26-February 26 $100
February 26-March 22 February 23-March 25 $100
June 3-28 May 31-July 1 $100
July 2-26 June 28-July 29 $100
August 6-August 30 August 2-September 2 $100
September 3-20 August 30-September 23 $100

Discover

Program Dates iMed Coverage Dates Fee
January 8-February 29 December 19-March 4 $200
March 4-April 25 March 1-April 29 $200
May 6-June 27 April 29-July 1 $200
July 2-August 22 June 28-August 26 $200
September 3-October 24 August 26-October 28 $200
October 28-December 19 October 25-December 23 $200

iMed Details & FAQs

Cancellations

If you purchase MSP before or during iMed coverage dates, you may be eligible for a refund for a portion of your remaining iMed insurance. All cancellations must be made through David Cummings Insurance and not through the ELI.

Opt-out Policy

You can opt out of iMED only if:

  • you are already covered by MSP or iMED (for the entire duration of registered ELI program) starting in or before the first month of an EAP or VEEP session – in which case you can receive a full refund, OR
  • you have become a permanent resident and have Canadian provincial health insurance before iMED coverage starts.

Note: having private insurance from your home country does not make you eligible to opt out of iMED.

You must pay the medical insurance fees even if you qualify to opt out. You can apply to opt out through David Cummings Insurance once your program has begun, but within 30 days of the start date of iMed. You must present the necessary documentation to David Cummings representatives to qualify to opt out. If you have MSP, you must show your BC Services Card or a letter from MSP confirming your coverage dates to a David Cummings representative. You can contact David Cummings Insurance at +1.604.228.8816 or at andrew@david-cummings.com with a copy to info@david-cummings.com.

Note: opt-outs, cancellations, and drop-outs are non-refundable if any claims were made. After any iMed insurance policy has ended, the insurance card will be invalid.

Drop-outs

If you drop all your classes, or do not arrive for your program because of visa denials etc., you are eligible for reimbursement of the policy fees you have paid. Decisions on whether you receive either a full or partial refund will be made on a case-by-case basis.

You have until week 3 of any EAP or VEEP session to drop out of the mandatory iMed insurance plan. Drop-outs must be communicated via telephone, email, or in writing to receive a refund.

Note: opt-outs, cancellations, and drop-outs are non-refundable if any claims were made. After any iMed insurance policy has ended, the insurance card will be invalid.

I have MSP coverage; can I receive a refund for my insurance?

Depending on the start date of your MSP coverage, you may be eligible for a partial or full refund. You must make your request for a refund directly with David Cummings Insurance by filling in the Opt out of ELI iMED coverage form and submit it to info@david-cummings.com. You can download the form here: http://www.david-cummings.com/iMED2/forms/index.htm

How can I receive my refund?

Refunds may take up to 3-4 weeks to process. David Cummings Insurance will process and issue a cheque for you only if no claims were made to an address provided by you at the time of processing.

I already have insurance from my home country; do I need an iMed insurance policy?

Yes! Everyone is automatically enrolled in our mandatory health insurance. Even if you already have medical insurance from your home country, you will still need to pay for mandatory iMed insurance.

What does my coverage include?

Generally speaking, iMed is an emergency insurance plan that will cover regular doctor visits (if you’re sick) and emergency situations. Please refer to the iMed website for a detailed description of iMed medical coverage.

Should I apply for MSP? How can I apply?

If you are staying in Canada longer than 6 months, you should apply for MSP coverage as soon as possible. You can come to ELI’s administration office to receive an MSP application form. You must fill it out and mail it directly to MSP with a copy of your study permit.

Where can I get my iMed insurance card?

You will receive your insurance card by week 2 of the EAP/VEEP session via email to the email address provided to ELI upon registration. Short program students should receive their cards by email prior to arrival. You may print out your insurance card yourself and should keep it with you at all times. If you have problems printing, opening the document, or did not receive the email please come to the administration office for assistance.

Where can I use my iMed?

The easiest thing to do is visit UBC's Student Health Center, where iMed is accepted and no payment is required for most visits. There are other locations in Vancouver where iMed is accepted. Please see the most updated list where iMed is accepted.