Acadia Students' Union
ASU SUPPORTS:
YOUR HEALTH & DENTAL PLANS
To make sure our students get the Health & Wellness services they need, Acadia Students' Union (ASU) provides two health plans through Student VIP: the Health & Dental Plan for domestic students and the Medical & Dental Plan for international students.
Discover your health benefits with Tanya Comeau, our ASU Support Administrator. Reach out to her at tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca or simple click the button below
Hours of Operation
The ASU Supports office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
* Closed on Fridays in August
What We Do
We're here to help with claims, opt-outs, adding dependents, benefit cards, and understanding your benefits
Find us in The SUB!
Find Tanya at the ASU Supports Office in the Student Union Building (The SUB), main level, room 301.
This is a student-oriented benefits plan for full-time domestic students. This plan has coverage for prescription drugs, dental services, travel, accident, vision, paramedical services (counsellors, psychologists, physio, massage, chiropractor, etc.) and more.
All students taking 9 or more academic credits are automatically billed and enrolled on this plan each academic year.
Policy #: 0099091000
ID #: 00012345600
This is your student colleague number in the above format.Insurance Company: Medavie Blue Cross
All full-time domestic students will be automatically enrolled under the extended health and dental benefit plans. Fees are added to your student account and due with tuition.
Check your benefits at a glance
2024/2025 Student Benefit Fees
Extended Health Benefit Plan: $233.50
Dental Benefit Plan: $165.00
Total fee for Extended Health & Dental: $398.50
Family coverage fees, in addition to single coverage fee
Extended Health Benefit Plan: $
Dental Benefit Plan: $
Total fee for Extended Health & Dental: $
The International Basic Health Plan is for international students and covers emergency medical expenses such as: visiting the doctor, hospital visits, surgery, diagnostic/lab tests (such as blood work, x-rays, etc.), and more. This plans also provides coverage for prescription drugs, dental services, vision, mental health, emergency transportation and more!
All international students are automatically billed and enrolled on this plan each academic year.
Policy #: 99092
ID #: 00012345600
This is your student colleague number in the above format.Insurance Company: Medavie Blue Cross
All international students will be automatically enrolled under the international student medical and dental benefit plans. Fees are added to your student account and due with tuition.
Check out your benefits at a glance
2024/2025 Student Benefit Fees
International Student Medical Benefit Plan: $830.00
Dental Benefit Plan: $165.00
Total fee for International Student Medical and Dental: $995.00
Family coverage fees, in addition to single coverage fee
International Student Medical Benefit Plan: $
Dental Benefit Plan: $
Total fee for International Student Medical and Dental: $
STUDENT PLANS:
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
STUDENT PLANS:
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Your Extended Health/Dental opt-out must be submitted during the opt-out period in which you begin your studies for that academic year:
Students starting in September
August 16 - September 30
Students starting in January
December 16 - January 31
Students starting in May
April 16 - May 31
Students starting in July
June 16 - July 31
*Students must submit an opt-out application for each academic year enrolled at Acadia University.
If you have comparable alternative coverage (through a parent, spouse, or work) you may apply to opt-out of the extended health & dental benefits. Your opt-out must be submitted during the term in which you begin your studies for that academic year (for most students, this is the fall term).
You must attach proof of coverage with your application. This includes a photo of your plan card or a letter from the insurance company.
You should be aware that your ASU Health & Dental plan offers benefits specifically designed for students. You may find it advantageous to remain enrolled under these benefits and coordinate your benefits with your existing coverage.
Please carefully consider your decision to opt out. By opting out of the Health and Dental benefits, you will not be eligible to opt back into the benefits until the next policy year begins, even if you lose your existing coverage.
Examples of losing coverage:
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If your coverage is through your parents/spouse and they lose their coverage;
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If you reach the age of maturity as a dependent on your parent’s benefits (i.e. age 21 for some benefits, 25 for others)
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During the opt-out period, students can access the opt-out form electronically on the Student VIP website here. You need to create an account and sign in to access the form.
If you have trouble accessing the form, please contact tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
OPTING OUT
Domestic Students
Health & Dental Plan
All students enrolled in 9 or more academic credits are automatically billed & enrolled on this plan each academic year. All opt-out requests are submitted on the Student VIP website during the opt-out period.
To opt-out, visit: www.studentvip.ca/asu
PLEASE NOTE:
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There are no exceptions or extensions to the opt-out deadline.
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Opt-outs are only granted if the Extended Health & Dental plan is unused & proof of alternative coverage is provided.
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Students wishing to opt-out must also submit an opt-out application each academic year.
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Submitting an application does not guarantee your opt-out request is approved. However, the Health Plan Office will reach out to you directly if there are any issues, or you are being denied.
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Please check your acadiau.ca email account regularly during the opt-out period.
OPTING OUT
Domestic Students
Health & Dental Plan
All students enrolled in 9 or more academic credits are automatically billed & enrolled on this plan each academic year. All opt-out requests are submitted on the Student VIP website during the opt-out period.
To opt-out, visit: www.studentvip.ca/asu
PLEASE NOTE:
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There are no exceptions or extensions to the opt-out deadline.
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Opt-outs are only granted if the Extended Health & Dental plan is unused & proof of alternative coverage is provided.
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Students wishing to opt-out must also submit an opt-out application each academic year.
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Submitting an application does not guarantee your opt-out request is approved. However, the Health Plan Office will reach out to you directly if there are any issues, or you are being denied.
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Please check your acadiau.ca email account regularly during the opt-out period.
International students who would like to opt-out with a private insurance policy must do so in the allowed opt-out period found at the beginning of the student's program. Students wishing to opt-out with private coverage must ensure their private policy meets the requirements set by Acadia University, The ASU, and Student VIP.
Students can view the requirements on the Student VIP, ASU Supports website, here.
Please be aware, it is the student's responsibility to present this information, provided in English, to the office of ASU Supports. Without seeing the full policy written in English, with the requirements clearly displayed, the opt-out will not be approved.
For additional support with this process, please contact the ASU Supports office, tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
Students participating in an exchange program at Acadia must submit an opt-out application during the allowed period found at the beginning of their studies.
Exchange Students wishing to opt-out with private coverage must ensure their private policy meets the requirements set by Acadia University, The ASU, and Student VIP.
Students can view the requirements on the Student VIP, ASU Supports website, here
Please be aware, it is the student's responsibility to present this information, provided in English, to the office of ASU Supports. Without seeing the full policy written in English, with the requirements clearly displayed, the opt-out will not be approved.
For additional support with this process, please contact the ASU Supports office, tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
International students who obtain MSI coverage can opt-out of the international student medical coverage, proof of the valid MSI card is required. If the students opt-out application is successful, there may be a pro-rated refund available.
Students who opt-out of the international student medical benefit plan with MSI coverage, will be automatically enrolled under the domestic extended health coverage and the companion plan, ensuring you are fully covered while studying at Acadia. The extended health coverage will ensure you are covered for the services MSI does not! The Companion Plan is provided to you, free from the ASU, and covers you for medical services outside of Nova Scotia, in other Canadian provinces.
MSI opt-outs can be submitted anytime during the academic year, up until May 1. This is because the pro-rated refund would be less than the extended health plan fee. If the MSI coverage expires before the end date of the ASU policy, the student could be placed back under it if they do not present a new MSI card with a later expiry date.
For additional support with this process, please contact the ASU Supports office, tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
This is for international students who are sponsored by their home government or embassy.
Students need to complete the opt-out form during the term in which you begin your studies for that academic year.
For additional support with this process, please contact the ASU Supports office. tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
If you are a student that holds dual citizenship with Canada and another country, please contact tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca to determine if you are enrolled in the international student medical benefit plan and carry sufficient medical insurance.
OPTING OUT
International Students
Medical & Dental Plan
All international students are also automatically billed and enrolled on the International Basic Health plan.
There are four exceptions through which specific criteria must be met to allow the opt-out of the International Basic Health Plan.
Please contact tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca during the opt-out period if you meet one of the criteria below:
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A student who has a privately purchased insurance policy that meets requirements set by Acadia University, the ASU, and Student VIP.
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Exchange/Visiting students who have private health insurance must opt-out like all other students, and the student's policy must meet requirements set.
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A student who has active MSI coverage (depends on effective/expiration dates)
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Students sponsored by their home government or embassy
PLEASE NOTE:
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There are no exceptions or extensions to the opt-out deadline.
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Opt-outs are only granted if the International Student benefit plan is unused & proof of alternative coverage is provided and meets set requirements.
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Students wishing to opt-out must also submit an opt-out application each academic year.
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Submitting an application does not guarantee your opt-out request is approved. However, the Health Plan Office will reach out to you directly if there are any issues, or you are being denied.
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Please check your acadiau.ca email account regularly during the opt-out period.
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International students who successfully opt-out of the medical coverage will be automatically enrolled under the extended health benefits.
All international students are also automatically billed and enrolled on the International Basic Health plan.
There are four exceptions through which specific criteria must be met to allow the opt-out of the International Basic Health Plan.
Please contact tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca during the opt-out period if you meet one of the criteria below:
-
A student who has a privately purchased insurance policy that meets requirements set by Acadia University, the ASU, and Student VIP.
-
Exchange/Visiting students who have private health insurance must opt-out like all other students, and the student's policy must meet requirements set.
-
A student who has active MSI coverage (depends on effective/expiration dates)
-
Students sponsored by their home government or embassy
PLEASE NOTE:
-
There are no exceptions or extensions to the opt-out deadline.
-
Opt-outs are only granted if the International Student benefit plan is unused & proof of alternative coverage is provided and meets set requirements.
-
Students wishing to opt-out must also submit an opt-out application each academic year.
-
Submitting an application does not guarantee your opt-out request is approved. However, the Health Plan Office will reach out to you directly if there are any issues, or you are being denied.
-
Please check your acadiau.ca email account regularly during the opt-out period.
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International students who successfully opt-out of the medical coverage will be automatically enrolled under the extended health benefits.
OPTING OUT
International Students
Medical & Dental Plan
Dependents are enrolled into the same plans as students. A student can choose to enroll their dependent onto any ASU provided benefit plan.
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ASU Extended Health Plan*
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ASU Dental Plan*
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ASU International Student Medical Benefit Plan
*Please note, for dependents to be added to the Extended Health and/or Dental plan, they must hold valid provincial health coverage (known as MSI in Nova Scotia) or be enrolled on the SMUSA International Basic Health Plan.
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Your opt-in application must be submitted during the opt-out period in which you begin your studies for that academic year:
Students starting in September
August 16 - September 30
Students starting in January
December 16 - January 31
Students starting in May
April 16 - May 31
Students starting in July
June 16 - July 31
*Students must submit opt-in applications for each academic year enrolled at Acadia University
During the opt-out period, students can access the opt-out form electronically on the Student VIP website here. You need to create an account and sign in to access the form.
If you have trouble accessing the form, please contact tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
Students considered part-time are not eligible to opt-in under the ASU provided coverage. At Acadia University part time is considered 8 or less credits.
Please refer to the “Health Plan Fees” section below for a full list.
If you are a dual citizen, you may need to opt-in to the International Student Medical Benefit Plan, due to the way you registered your status with Acadia University.
Students with dual citizenship need to ensure they have medical coverage, either through the Province with MSI, Medical Services Insurance or the ASU provided coverage. To verify what benefit plans you are enrolled under please reach out to the office of ASU Supports to tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca
OPTING IN
Adding dependents to your coverage
Opt-ins are only available for students looking to add dependents to the plan(s). Students on the plan may enroll their spouse, common-law partner, and/or dependent children onto the benefits for an additional fee during the appropriate opt-in period.
A dependent opt-in form needs to be submitted each academic year.
OPTING IN
Adding dependents to your coverage
Opt-ins are only available for students looking to add dependents to the plan(s). Students on the plan may enroll their spouse, common-law partner, and/or dependent children onto the benefits for an additional fee during the appropriate opt-in period.
A dependent opt-in form needs to be submitted each academic year.
ASU Supports Office
Contact if you need support:
Making claims, opting out, enrolling dependents, accessing your benefit card or questions regarding your benefit coverage!
Student VIP
Visit the Student VIP website:
To learn more about your coverage, make a claim, submit an opt-out or download your benefit card!
Medavie Blue Cross
Contact if you have questions about:
A claim you submitted, the reimbursement process or if you do not understand a claim decision.
