Medical Insurance
As a student of the CVISP, understanding your health insurance options and available medical services is crucial for ensuring your well-being throughout your academic journey. Whether you are a new or returning student, this page will help you navigate the different insurance plans and healthcare services available.
New 10-month students
Start with full Guard.Me coverage for the first three months, followed by MSP & Guard.Me Plus for the remainder of the school year provided the student has a valid Study Permit.
New 5-month students
Have full Guard.Me coverage
Returning students
Have full-year MSP coverage & Guard.Me Plus for the duration of their school enrollment provided the student has a valid Study Permit.
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
MSP is mandatory Provincial health insurance for students who hold a valid Study Permit.
All 10-month students must provide their Study Permit to the International Program to be registered for MSP. We will issue you an MSP card once you have been in the province of BC for 3 months.
IMPORTANT: Always present your MSP card when you visit a clinic or hospital. Details of coverage under MSP can be found here.
Guard.Me & Guard.Me Plus
Guard.Me is private insurance for students without MSP.
- Guard.Me benefit summary and policy wording.
Guard.Me Plus is a private insurance ‘top-up’ for MSP students.
- Guard.Me Plus benefit summary and policy wording.
IMPORTANT: Keep receipts of any medical treatment or medication so a claim for reimbursement can be submitted to Guard.me insurance.
Visit the Guard.Me website for insurance plan details and FAQ’s.
Primary Care for Minor Problems
Use a phone or clinic care provider below for any minor medical problems.
Examples of minor medical problems:
- Sore throat
- runny nose
- cough
- cold or flu symptoms
- Small aches and pains
- mild fever (under 38.8°C / 102°F)
- Minor rashes
- skin irritations
Secondary Care for Major Problems
Go to the Emergency Room at the Hospital and take your medical cards with you.
Wait times depend on the severity of injury or illness.
Examples of Problems that require Emergency Room visits:
- Trouble breathing, or catching your breath
- Severe abdominal or chest pain/pressure
- Weakness or tingling on one side of your body
- Loss of consciousness
- Heavy bleeding
If you are unsure if a health concern is an emergency, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for advice.
TELUS Health MyCare
- Only for students 16 years or older and have BC Medical Services Plan (MSP).
- TELUS Health MyCare lets you see a doctor, mental health counsellor or dietitian from your phone, where and when it’s convenient for you.
- Doctor consultations for BC residents are covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP). You can download the app, register for your free account, and schedule a doctor appointment.
- Click here to find more information.
MobileDOCTOR
- Only for students who have Guard.Me Insurance.
- Through MobileDOCTOR by Guard.me Insurance, you have access to online doctor consultations on Maple, with your visit billed directly to guard.me.
- You can speak with a Canadian doctor anytime, anywhere!
- Click here to find more information about this service.
Walmart Courtenay Medical Clinic
Urgent & Walk in Care
3199 Cliffe Avenue
Courtenay, BC V9N 2L9
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p. m.
Weekends and Holidays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m,
250-334-1512
Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic
615 10th Street
Courtenay, BC
Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Weekends and holidays, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
access the clinic by calling 250-331-8099