Health & Dental Services

Most full-time graduate students are automatically enrolled in the health and dental plan. Certain exceptions exist. Please check your student account to confirm if you have been charged the Plan fees.

Part-time and distance students are not automatically enrolled, but may be eligible to enrol themselves in the Plan.

The health and dental insurance policy year is September 1st to August. 31st. All eligible students are automatically assessed health and dental insurance fees in September. Students who become eligible part-way through the policy year (e.g. students who are admitted in January, May, or July; or students who move from part-time to full-time status in the Winter, Spring, or Summer terms) are assessed a pro-rated fee for the remainder of the current policy year.

Yes, you'll need it to be able to use the GSA health and dental plan.
A provincial plan is a requirement for your insurance benefits plan to be active.

To obtain Alberta Health Care: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-apply.aspx

Learn more about Alberta medical insurance on the UCalgary's International Student Services page here: https://ucalgary.ca/student-services/iss/resources/medical-insurance

*Any Canadian provincial healthcare card should work with the GSA health and dental plan.

All UCalgary graduate students can check their student account statement for the health and dental fees to let them know if they'll be receiving coverage. The health and dental fees are not included in your tuition costs. They will appear as separate fees.

Please ensure you are checking the correct semester for the fees.

The process to add your dependants must be completed each year. You can add your spouse and dependent child(ren) by going to studentbenefits.ca, clicking on "UCGSA" and "Add Dependants", and completing the form in full. Once approved, the fee will be applied to your student account. The deadline depends on the date your course begins.

Additional Fees to Add Dependants (Fall 2026)

Health Fees

• Add one dependant for an additional $381.60
• Add all your dependants for an additional $763.20

Dental Fees

• Add one dependant for $334.96
• Add all your dependants for an additional $669.92

Please note: eligible family members include your spouse/partner and/or your dependent child(ren). Dependant fees for 8, 4, or 2 months of coverage (for January, May, or July students) are available on the Student Benefits website.

The total annual cost of the Plan is $716.56 for 12 months of coverage from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027.

Students who start their programs in January, May, or July will be assessed a pro-rated fee for their first year in program for 8, 4, or 2 months of coverage, respectively. They will then be assessed the 12-month rate in their first September in program.

Students who become full-time part-way through the policy year will also be assessed the pro-rated fee.

Please see the fees listed below.

As an eligible student, you can choose to exclude yourself from the plan if you are enrolled in another Health/Dental Plan. Visit studentbenefits.ca, select "UCGSA" and select the Opt Out form. Once you have completed the form, you will receive an email confirming that you have submitted a request to opt out. Please keep a copy of this email for your records. All opt out requests are reviewed within 3-4 business days from the application deadline date, after which you should receive an email either informing you that your opt out request, or that additional information is required.

Important Deadline

Fall-start and returning students: August 24 – September 11, 2026

Students who submit an opt-out request must provide proof that they are covered under an alternative, comparable insurance plan.

Please note: the request to opt out or add dependants must be completed each year. Once an opt-out request has been approved, it remains in effect for the full student year unless your alternate health and/or dental coverage terminates. You have 30 days from the loss of coverage to notify the plan administrator, provide proof of termination, and pay the applicable fees to be covered under Student Benefits for the remainder of the student year.

Contact Information

Student Benefits (General inquiries)

studentbenefits@pbas.ca

1-888-404-6623

GSA

askgsa@ucalgary.ca

403-220-5997