Student Health & Wellness

Student Health Plans

King's Student?

The King's Student Union has a student health and dental plan for its students. Learn more on the KSU website.

Book your appointment online

Online booking is now available for nurses, social workers and select doctors at the Student Health & Wellness Centre. Book your appointment online today.

Quick Links

DSU Health & Dental Plan

DSU International Health Plan

Opt out tip:

You must bring your DalCard AND documented proof that you have equivalent health care coverage to the DSU Health Plan office to opt out. Proof must be presented in letter format and in English—insurance cards are not sufficient.

Check out the new Dal Student Life at dal.ca/studentlife

COVID-19 and your student health plan

Rest assured knowing that your Student Health and Dental plan, and your Student VIP International Health Plan, has appropriate coverage and measures in place to support and assist you during this time.

Learn more about your DSU Health & Dental Plan

Learn more about your DSU International Health Plan

Every Dalhousie student must have health insurance coverage ("coverage" refers to all of the things that your health plan includes/covers). Most new Dalhousie students are automatically enrolled into one of both health plans.

Dal's two student health plans—what's the difference?

DSU Health & Dental Plan

The Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) Health and Dental Plan is a student-oriented benefits plan that covers prescriptions, dental, travel, accident, vision, and many other services.

DSU International Health Plan

The DSU International Health Plan is for international students who don't have MSI coverage (Provincial Health Insurance). It covers general doctor visits, and emergency medical services. Before seeking medical care students must contact Medavie Blue Cross^TMat 1-833-867-3468 to confirm coverage.

All students who are covered under the International Student Health Plan should download the ‘My Peak’ app to obtain their health card. Download “My Peak” and create an account using group code DSUINTL. Visit the website for more information on how to obtain your card here

Sample DSU International Health Plan Card

What coverage do I have?

Students beginning in September

Canadian Students

If you are a full-time student beginning classes in September you are automatically enrolled in the DSU Health & Dental Plan and the cost of the plan is included in your student fees.

International Students

All full-time international and exchange students starting their studies at Dalhousie in September are automatically billed and enrolled into two health plans: the DSU International Student Health Plan and the DSU Health & Dental Plan.

Students beginning in January or May

Canadian Students

If you are beginning classes in January or May, you must opt in to the DSU Health & Dental Plan.

International Students

All full-time international and exchange students starting their studies at Dalhousie in January are automatically billed and enrolled into the DSU International Student Health Plan, but must opt in to the DSU Health & Dental Plan.

Students on co-op or exchange

If you are on co-op or exchange you must opt in to the plan.

Students on a short-term program or visiting scholars

You do not have automatic coverage and are not eligible to enroll on the DSU International Health Plan but may be eligible to enrol for the DSU International Short-Term Plan.

DSU International Short-Term Plan

Students participating in short-term programs (i.e. ESL programs) or visiting scholars may be eligible to enroll in this short-term plan to cover you for emergency medical situations while visiting Canada.

Participants in this plan will have coverage similar to that of the Provincial Health Care Plan in Nova Scotia (MSI) for which they are not yet eligible. This means coverage for doctors visits, medical emergencies, and many other medically necessary situations that may occur.

Students may opt in manually by completing the form found in the DSU Health Plan Office or may opt in online by visiting www.internationalhealth.ca/dsu and completing the online opt-in form.

Students taking distance courses (exclusively)

If you taking only distance courses you must opt in to the plan.

Quebec students

Effective September 1, 2003, all patients covered by Quebec Provincial Health Care will be required to pay for their office visit (and any additional service fees) at the time of their appointment.

The cost of a regular office visit is currently $35. Additional charges for additional or uninsured services will vary, but will be based on the amount currently paid by MSI (Nova Scotia provincial health coverage).

All patients will be issued a receipt which they can personally submit to the Regie de Quebec for reimbursement.

Dalhousie Health Service accepts DalCard, cash, debit, Visa, and Mastercard. No personal cheques.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause our Quebec patients. However, as the province of Quebec does not have a reciprocal billing policy similar to all other provinces and territories, it is necessary to implement this policy.

Dual citizenship - Canada and another country

If you are a dual citizen, and hold a Canadian passport, you may not be automatically enrolled under the DSU International Health Plan if you have applied to Dalhousie as a Canadian citizen. In addition, you may not be eligible for Nova Scotia provincial health care (MSI) until you fulfill specific requirements.

To confirm your health insurance status, please contact the DSU Health Plan Office as soon as possible.

Canadian students going abroad

Dalhousie University International Centre has a partnership with Backpack to provide industry leading travel insurance and other safety and wellness services to students going abroad. Backpack provides travel coverage, accidental death coverage, and travel clinic and vaccine services. For more information and to purchase coverage please visit www.internationalhealth.ca/backpack-dal

Opt in/out of the DSU Health & Dental Plan

If you already have equivalent coverage and want to opt-out, or if you do not have coverage and you want to opt-in, visit the DSU Health & Dental Plan and/or DSU International Health Plan websites for details.

The opt-out deadline for the 2019-20 academic year is September 18, 2019.
Note: Students must opt out of the plan every year

Getting your health insurance card when you arrive on campus

All students who are covered under the DSU Health Plan should visit the DSU Health Plan website and click on “Plan Card”. You will then enter the 6 digits following their B00, and press "Submit". A card will be generated automatically which you can save to their electronic device or print off.

For students who are covered under the International Student Health Plan, your health plan wallet card is electronic. You can access your health plan wallet card through the My Peak App. You can access your wallet card at anytime, anywhere by following these easy steps:

Download the My Peak app in the App or Google Play Store
Select ‘Create’ Account and use group code DSUINTL
Click the link in your email and login to the app
Select the wallet card icon on the bottom right
Select Health Plan Card and complete the fields

*If you are a student beginning in the winter term, your card will be available in the app at the end of January. You can still visit the campus doctor at Dalhousie Health and Wellness Services.