You are not alone.

The UASU Health and Dental Plan is extended coverage for undergraduate students. It helps cover services that basic provincial or UAHIP coverage does not normally cover, such as some prescription, dental, vision, and paramedical services. You generally need basic health coverage (AHCIP, another provincial plan, or UAHIP) to use the extended plan.

The GSA Health and Dental Plan is extended coverage for eligible graduate students. It is separate from basic AHCIP or UAHIP and can include additional health, dental, vision, and travel benefits. Graduate students should check the GSA page for current enrollment, opt-out, family add-on, and change-of-coverage deadlines.

The University Health Centre can serve as a primary care provider for students and offers health services to UAlberta students, employees, and eligible family members. For non-emergency needs such as checkups, minor illness, prescription refills, or referrals, use the University Health Centre, a family doctor, or a walk-in clinic. Hospital emergency departments are for severe, urgent, or life-threatening problems. For immediate danger call 911; for non-emergency health advice in Alberta, call Health Link at 811.

A doctor, nurse practitioner, or other authorized prescriber writes the prescription, and you take it to a pharmacy. The Campus Pharmacy in Students' Union Building is one convenient option, but you can use other pharmacies too. Check your plan details and use your pay-direct or benefits card when available so the pharmacy can bill the insurer directly.

Call 911 for immediate danger, a life-threatening emergency, or a situation needing ambulance, police, or fire response. For non-emergency health advice in Alberta, call Health Link at 811. If you are near campus and need emergency hospital care, the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department is close to North Campus.

For non-crisis support, UAlberta Counselling and Clinical Services offers confidential counselling and psychiatric services to eligible students. The UASU Peer Support Centre offers free, confidential, non-judgmental supportive listening and referrals. Graduate students can also use the Graduate Student Assistance Program (GSAP). For immediate danger call 911; for crisis lines use 9-8-8 or the Edmonton Distress Line.

The UAlberta Sexual Assault Centre provides confidential support, crisis intervention, information, and referrals for survivors and supporters. You do not need to make a formal complaint to ask for support. In immediate danger, call 911.

Do not assume your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage renews automatically. Its expiry can be tied to your immigration document. If you applied before your permit expired and have not been refused, contact AHCIP to ask about a temporary coverage extension; the first extension can be up to 90 days if you qualify.

1. 1Check your health-card expiry and contact AHCIP before coverage ends.
2. 2Have your IRCC application date, application number and proof of timely submission ready.
3. 3When the new permit arrives, take it to a participating registry to update your coverage.
4. 4Ask International Student Services and your insurer about any gap, UAHIP eligibility, and your separate SU/GSA health and dental benefits.