International Students

Health & Dental Plan Information

Please find information below regarding:

  • Differences Between MISHP & the BUSU H&D Plan

  • Automatic Enrollment Information & Criteria

  • Important Considerations

  • International Students Are Not Eligible for Pharmacare

  • Opting-into the BUSU H&D Plan (Single Plan)

  • Opting Dependants into the BUSU H&D Plan (Family Plan)

  • Opting-out of the BUSU H&D Plan

  • Benefit Card

The BUSU Health & Dental plan opt-in/out window is still open and will be available until SEPTEMBER 30, 2026!

Please note, if you are automatically enrolled into the BUSU H&D plan and do not opt-out by SEPTEMBER 30th, 2026, we will be unable to remove you from the plan and you will be responsible for the cost of the plan. It is your responsibility to opt in or out prior to the deadline.

MISHP Compared ot the BUSU H&D Plan:

MISHP is a PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SUBSTITUTE/EQUIVALENT for international students. MISHP’s coverage is oriented for emergency/incidental medical services (however its benefits are not exclsuively for emergencies/incidents) and services requiring hospitalization (urgent care needs that require a hospital stay). At BU MISHP coverage is organized by the Office of International Activities [international@brandonu.ca]. MISHP - DOES NOT COVER many non-urgent medical care needs, such as prescription medications, specialist visits and referrals such as visits to counselors, psychiatrists, or chiropractors. MISHP - CANNOT BE USED for annual check-ups or regular services at the dentist or optometrist.

MISHP - is provided by MANITOBA Blue Cross. THE MISHP FEE is detailed in the APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE posted on the BU website. MISHP costs approximately $344 a term and $1032 annually (Brandon University, APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE 2024/25).

FOR MORE INFORMATION regarding MISHP coverage, payment, or usage, please contact the Office of International Activities [international@brandonu.ca].

BUSU H&D Plan - is a PERSONAL HEALTH PLAN THAT COVERS prescription medications, many non-urgent medical care needs, specialist visits, and annual check-ups or regular services at the dentist or optometrist.

BUSU H&D PLAN - is provided by MEDAVIE Blue Cross. When attempting to use your BUSU H&D Plan, please ensure you are using your MEDAVIE Blue Cross policy information.

Automatic Enrollment Information & Criteria

If you are registered as a full-time Undergraduate during the early enrollment period, with 12 credit hours total, with a minimum of 9 credit hours of on-campus courses, in the 2026/27 academic year (Fall Term and/or Winter Term), you are automatically opted-into the BUSU Health & Dental plan.

If you are registered as a Graduate during the early enrollment period, with one course, in the 2026/27 academic year (Fall Term and/or Winter Term), you are automatically opted-into the BUSU Health & Dental Plan.

If you are automatically enrolled, the $350 “BUSU H&D Plan” fee will be charged to your student account to be paid with your administrative and tuition fees. That charge can be located on your Student Information page’s Finance Tab.

PLEASE NOTE all students registered during the early enrollment period are generated an account, and benefits card, on the Student VIP website. The account can be claimed, and the benefits card accessed, without paying for the BUSU H&D Plan, however you WILL NOT have coverage.

PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR COVERAGE THROUGH THE STUDENTVIP WEBSITE TWICE. If automatically enrolled, the BUSU H&D fee for your coverage will be added to your Brandon University Student Information page’s Financial tab, and paid for with your first term tuition.

The Student VIP Website will not prevent you from opting in online and paying again if you have been automatically enrolled and already paid. You can verify your automatic enrollment by locating the "BUSU H&D Plan $350" fee on your Student Information page’s Finance Tab.

Important Considerations

If you have opted yourself, or your dependents, into the plan in past years, you must complete the process AGAIN.

The BUSU H&D Plan’s POLICY PERIOD is September 1st, 2026 - August 30th, 2027.

The $350 fee for enrolling into the BUSU H&D Plan, which is automatically applied with tuition if a student meets the automatic enrollment criteria, is a ONE TIME ANNUAL PAYMENT that provides coverage for the plan’s entire policy period.

The BUSU H&D Plan’s FALL TERM OPT-IN/OUT PERIOD is August 1st, 2026 - September 30th, 2026.

The BUSU H&D Plan WINTER TERM OPT-IN PERIOD is January 1st, 2027 - January 30th, 2027. Students that enrolled into BU courses during the Fall Term are NOT permitted to opt-into the BUSU H&D Plan during the Winter Term.

It generally takes 1-2 weeks for opt-ins, or opt-outs, to be processed after the end of the opt-in/out period. That processing time is the same for Family Plan opt-ins. If services were received within the policy period that would have been covered by benefits during the opt-in/out period, before enrollment into the plan is processed, claims can be made retroactively after enrollment is finalized.

International students are not eligible for Pharmacare. If you’re an international student and are sent a request from Blue Cross Medavie to provide proof of your Pharmacare enrollment: please email [services@busu.ca], or reach out the Student VIP at [info@studentvip.ca], for support clarifying your enrollment status with Medavie.

Opting-Into the BUSU H&D Plan (Single Plan)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 is the opt-in/out deadline. To opt-in go to the StudentVIP website using the link here:

(studentvip.ca/Default.aspx#OptOptions).

Steps for Opting In:

  • Navigate through this page by selecting the "Brandon University Students' Union" option in the "please select your school" drop down menu.

  • Next, click the “Opt-In/Opt-Out” button.

  • You will be prompted to sign in (if you are not already). If you have an account from previous years, please sign in to that account. If you do not have an account you will need to register for one (there is a registration button located in the bottom of the login pop-up). When registering and filling out the “Student Number” field, if your information is not being accepted, attempt adding three zeros (“000”) in front of your student number.

  • Once you have signed in, or completed registration, you will be able to begin the opt-inprocess for yourself. The Opt-in/out options are only available on the StudentVIP website during the Opt-in/out period.

  • Select the "Plan" dropdown and select the "Single Plan" option.

  • Fill and submit the information. At this time, payment through the StudentVIP website will be required. The Student VIP Website will not prevent you from opting in online and paying again if you have been automatically enrolled and already paid. You can verify if you were automatically enrolled by locating the "BUSU H&D Plan $350" fee on your Student Information page’s Finance Tab.

***It generally takes 1-2 weeks for opt-ins to be processed.***

Opting-Into the BUSU H&D Plan (Family Plan)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 is the opt-in/out deadline. To opt-in go to the StudentVIP website using

the link here:

(studentvip.ca/Default.aspx#OptOptions).

Steps for Opting In:

  • Navigate through this page by selecting the "Brandon University Students' Union" option

  • in the "please select your school" drop down menu.

  • Next, click the “Opt-In/Opt-Out” button.

  • You will be prompted to sign in (if you are not already). If you have an account from previous years, please sign in to that account. If you do not have an account you will need to register for one (there is a registration button located in the bottom of the login pop-up). When registering and filling out the “Student Number” field, if your information is not being accepted, attempt adding three zeros (“000”) in front of your student number.

  • Once you have signed in, or completed registration, you will be able to begin the opt-in process for yourself. The Opt-in/out options are only available on the StudentVIP website during the Opt-in/out period.

  • Select the "Plan" dropdown, select the "Family Plan" option WITHOUT the “Single Plan” coverage. Fill out your dependents’ information, list your spouse/common law/partner first if they are being included.

  • Fill and submit the information. At this time, payment through the StudentVIP website will be required. The Student VIP Website will not prevent you from opting in online and paying again if you have been automatically enrolled and already paid. You can verify if you were automatically enrolled by locating the "BUSU H&D Plan $350" fee on your Student Information page’s Finance Tab.

***It generally takes 1-2 weeks for opt-ins to be processed.***

Opting-Out of the BUSU H&D Plan:

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 is the opt-in/out deadline. To opt-out go to the StudentVIP website using the link here:

(studentvip.ca/Default.aspx#OptOptions).

Steps for Opting-Out:

  • Navigate through this page by selecting the "Brandon University Students' Union" option in the "please select your school" drop down menu.

  • Next, click the “Opt-In/Opt-Out” button.

  • You will be prompted to sign in (if you are not already). If you have an account from previous years, please sign in to that account. If you do not have an account you will need to register for one (there is a registration button located in the bottom of the login pop-up). When registering and filling out the “Student Number” field, if your information is not being accepted, attempt adding three zeros (“000”) in front of your student number. Once you have signed in, or completed registration, you will be able to begin the opt-out process for yourself.

  • Submit your information and/or your dependents’ information (if applicable).

  • Submit your information, including proof of an alternative health insurance plan.

  • Once you have submitted your request, please note the following:

  • A confirmation e-mail will be sent to your brandonu.ca email address. Please keep the confirmation email for your records. It generally takes 1-2 weeks for the credit to appear on your student account.

Benefits Card:

The benefits card for the BUSU H&D Plan is available for download as a PDF copy on the Student VIP website:

(studentvip.ca/Default.aspx#OptOptions).

Steps for Downloading Benefits Card:

  • Navigate through this page by selecting the "Brandon University Students' Union" option in the "please select your school" drop down menu.

  • You will have to sign in (if you are not already). If you have an account from previous years, please sign in to that account. If you do not have an account you will need to register for one (there is a registration button located in the bottom of the login pop-up). When registering and filling out the “Student Number” field, if your information is not being accepted, attempt adding three zeros (“000”) in front of your student number.

  • Once you have signed in, or completed registration, you will be able to click the “Benefits Card” button on the main page. You will then be directed to the “Plan Card” page.

  • At the bottom of the page there is a “DOWNLOAD & PRINT BENEFITS CARD” button. Clicking that button will download a PDF copy of your BUSU Benefits Card.

Important Considerations When Using the Benefits Card:

  • Be proactive by asking service providers if they accept your insurance, and if you havecoverage, before your appointment or treatment. Upon request, many service providers are able to contact Medavie Blue Cross for an “estimate” ahead of your appointment/treatment time to confirm the amounts covered by BUSU H&D Plan benefits.

  • Policy information can be found on the Student VIP website through the main page by clicking the “Your Coverage” button. Please note the period of time and instances a benefit can be used, example: “Scaling (1, 15-minute units every 12 months)” (StudentVIP, Your Coverage: Policy Year September 1, 2025- August 31, 2026). To specify, ONE UNIT OF DENTAL SCALING IS COVERED EVERY 12 MONTHS. Often multiple units of scaling are required but only one unit is covered. If this is a concern please speak with your dentist office about only providing one unit of scaling during your appointment.

Please note that if you do not opt-in by SEPTEMBER 30th, 2026, we will be unable to add you to the plan. It is the responsibility of the student to opt-in prior to the deadline, and to communicate with your parent, guardian, or sponsoring agency regarding any changes to your BUSU H&D plan.