Concordia Health Insurance Review (2024)

Concordia University, a hub for Canadian and international students, offers a comprehensive health insurance program in collaboration with Blue Cross. The Concordia Health Insurance program covers everything from routine check-ups to emergency evacuation.

But is the best choice for you or should you opt for another private health insurance plan? Read on!

In this review, we take you through the coverage, pros, cons, and premiums of Concordia Health Insurance. Use our free comparator and compare this plan with other health insurance plans in Canada, get personalized quotes, and find a policy that suits you best.

Our 2024 review of Concordia health insurance

Concordia University has partnered with Blue Cross Health Insurance to offer a health and accident insurance plan. It stands out for its extensive coverage, encompassing doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, dental, and vision care. The plan is mandatory for international students but distinguishes itself with affordable premiums.

While offering comprehensive benefits, some limitations include compulsory enrollment and exclusions for certain pre-existing conditions. Despite occasional challenges reported in claims processing, Concordia's plan remains a commendable choice for international students seeking robust coverage at a reasonable cost.

It is important to be aware of the plan's limitations and to carefully review the terms and conditions before enrolling. But you must consider other options before deciding on a plan.

If you would like to explore other health insurance plans in Canada and compare their coverage and quotes, you can do it right here using our comparator.

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Here are some of the pros and cons of Concordia University's student health and dental insurance plan:

Pros of Concordia Health Insurance

• Comprehensive coverage for a wide range of medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation to your home country
• Affordable premiums

Cons of Concordia Health Insurance

• Compulsory for all international students
• Does not cover some pre-existing conditions
• Some students have reported difficulty getting their claims processed

What does Concordia health insurance cover?

It covers a wide range of medical and health-related services. The overall maximum reimbursement of the plan is $1,500,000 per lifetime. Due to coverage limitations, pre-authorization is mandatory for hospital confinement or surgery. Unless otherwise specified, all benefit maximums mentioned below are applicable per benefit year.

Hospitalization benefits

• Active care (illness or injury): Unlimited
• Psychiatric disorders: 30 days
• Pregnancy: 2 days for natural birth (longer if complications arise)
• Out-patient clinic: Unlimited
• Maximum reimbursement for prescription drugs: $30,000 per benefit year ($15,000 if related to a pre-existing condition)
• Medical evacuation: $15,000
• Physician’s fees: Up to 3 times the amount specified in the current Schedule of Fees of the RAMQ
• Psychiatrist fees: Up to 3 times the amount specified in the current Schedule of Fees of the RAMQ, with a maximum of $12,500 per year
• Abortion: Up to 3 times the amount specified in the current Schedule of Fees of the RAMQ
• In-hospital dental care: $250

Download this brochure to get more details about the complete coverage.

How much does Concordia health insurance cost?

Here are the rates for Concordia University’s health insurance for international students for September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024.

Period	Duration	Cost
September 1 to August 31 — fall, winter and summer	12 months	$1,068.00
September 1 to April 30 — fall and winter January 1 to August 31 — winter and summer	8 months	$712.00
September 1 to December 31 — fall January 1 to April 30 — winter May 1 to August 31 — summer	4 months	$356.00
Additional month	1 month	$89.00

You can use our comparator to get quotes from other health insurance providers in Canada to see how they compare with Concordia's rates. Enter basic details of what you're looking for and get multiple personalized quotes for free right here.

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What’s Concordia University group health insurance?

Concordia University offers a group health insurance plan specifically designed for international students. This Concordia University health insurance program is administered through Medavie Inc.

You are required to participate in the plan if you meet the following conditions:

• You are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
• If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you must not be entitled to benefits under a provincial health insurance program.

Additionally, you are eligible for insurance if:

• You are a student who was de-registered for immigration reasons, but only until the end of the semester in which the de-registration occurred.
• You are a graduate, but coverage extends only until the end of the semester of the subsequent convocation ceremony.
• You are a visiting researcher.
• You are a student who was registered during a preceding academic term.

If you have been in Canada for more than one month, a medical form must be completed. The entire cost of your coverage is your responsibility.

When does Concordia health insurance start?

Your coverage becomes effective at the latest of the following dates:

• September 1, for the Fall Semester
• January 1, for the Winter Semester
• May 1, for the Summer Semester
• The date you arrive in Canada

However, under specific circumstances and upon special request, coverage for a student arriving in Canada before the start of classes (up to a maximum of one month) may commence on the arrival date.

Multiple benefit plans

If you are covered by more than one benefit plan, such as the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) or the Act respecting assistance for victims of crime, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses.

In cases where medical services of the same nature as those covered under the Health Benefit (Basic and Extended Health Care and Paramedical Services) are incurred, the compensation received from other coverage will be deducted from eligible expenses, following the coordination of benefits.

Ensure to declare the existence of other coverage by indicating yes or no in the appropriate section of the claim form.

When does Concordia health insurance end?

Your coverage will cease automatically at the earliest occurrence of the following circumstances:

• The date you no longer qualify as a student as per the defined criteria.
• August 31 of any given benefit year.
• The conclusion of the period for which premiums have been paid to the Insurer for your coverage.
• The date you provide proof of coverage under the Canadian federal or provincial government plans.
• The date you are medically evacuated to your country of origin by the Insurer.
• The date you permanently depart Canada.

Does Concordia health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

A pre-existing condition is defined as an injury, illness, or pregnancy (excluding asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy) for which the participant has been hospitalized or received medical care in the six months preceding the effective date of coverage.

Limitations or exclusions may apply to expenses resulting directly or indirectly from a pre-existing condition.

However, the pre-existing condition provision will not apply:

• To expenses incurred more than 12 months after the present coverage has begun
• If this plan replaces a similar coverage you had with a group insurance plan offered by a recognized Canadian educational institution for 12 consecutive months immediately before the present coverage.

The coverage of pre-existing conditions varies from one provider to another. You can check out the coverage of the best health insurance plans in Canada right here using our comparator below. Compare plans and get free quotes in no time.

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How to file a claim for Concordia health insurance?

Filing a claim for Concordia University international student health insurance is simple.

If you want to file a claim for Basic Care (Hospitalization), you will need pre-authorization from the Insurer is required. If hospitalized, present your insurance card upon admission, and the hospital will forward the claim to Concordia's office.

For Basic and Extended Health Care (excluding Hospitalization) and Paramedical Services, payment can be made either to you or directly to the service provider upon request.

To file a claim, complete the claim form and submit it to the insurer along with original invoices or receipts. Ensure that charges are itemized by service, specifying the relevant Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) code instead of presenting a total amount.

Include the following details on the claim form:

• Your name
• Contract number: 97008
• Card number (Student ID number)
• Date the services were rendered
• Nature of the service performed (Physician should indicate the appropriate RAMQ codes)

For prescription drugs, include:

• Date of purchase
• Physician's name
• Type of medication
• Prescription number

Also, you must file a claim with the Insurer within 180 days following termination of each benefit year. Here’s the address:

Medavie Blue Cross Group Benefits
Postal Box 3300, Station B
Montreal (Quebec) H3B 4Y5

Is there any Concordia alumni health insurance?

Yes, there are Concordia graduate health insurance plans that benefit the alumni. Concordia University alumni in Canada can get health insurance through Manulife Financial. The plan offers coverage for a variety of medical expenses, including:

• Doctor's visits
• Hospitalization
• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Vision care

Concordia University's alumni health insurance plan is a good option for alumni who are looking for comprehensive coverage at an affordable price.

What is Concordia health insurance opt-out?

Concordia University's health insurance opt-out is a process by which students can waive the mandatory Concordia University Student Health and Dental Plan (SHDP) if they have equivalent or better coverage elsewhere.

• The opt-out period for the Fall Term is from September 5 to October 5, 2023.
• The Winter Change-of-Coverage & Opt-Out Period is from January 22 to February 7, 2024, and is only for new students enrolled in the Winter Term or for those who were not billed in the Fall Term.

To opt out of the SHDP, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be enrolled in a full-time program at Concordia University
• Have alternative health insurance that provides equivalent or better coverage than the SHDP
• Provide proof of alternative health insurance to Concordia University
• Proof of alternative health insurance must include the following information:

Students can opt out of the SHDP by submitting an opt-out form to Concordia University's Student Care office. The opt-out form can be found on the Student Care website or in the Student Care office.