Orientation Session

1. INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
101
GRENFELL CAMPUS, MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY
WINTER 2020
BY: PATRICK ARSENAULT

2. WHAT IS MCP?
 The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) is a
comprehensive plan of medical care insurance designed to cover the cost
of physician services for residents of the province.

3. ARE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COVERED
UNDER MCP?
 The program applies to any foreign
individual issued an official study permit
by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
before entering the country. The
individual must be attending a
recognized post-secondary educational
institution in Newfoundland and
Labrador for a period of at least 12
months.
 Dependents of the student will also be
covered under MCP, provided they are
living in the province and have relevant
documentation to support their
application.

4. WHAT DOES MCP COVER?
 visits to a physician's office, hospital
or beneficiary's residence
 surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures, including anesthesia
 pre- and post-operative care
 complete maternity care
 radiology interpretive services
 certain surgical-dental procedures
which are medically necessary to be
performed in hospital by a dentist or
oral surgeon

5. HOW MUCH DOES MCP COST?
 If you are eligible, MCP is entirely free.

6. WHAT IS GUARD.ME?
 Guard.Me is a private health insurance provider that has a contract with
Memorial University. It is meant to relieve immediate pain and suffering
caused by a condition that is not pre-existing.

7. ARE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COVERED
UNDER GUARD.ME?
 All international students at Memorial University are automatically
enrolled and covered through the Guard.Me insurance unless they opt out
by the deadline of January 17 and meet the very specific requirements to
opt out.

8. WHO CAN OPT-OUT FROM GUARD.ME?
 Graduate students that are covered under MCP (for at least 6 months) and
that want to transfer to the graduate student union insurance instead.
 Students that are covered under MCP (for at least 6 months) and that
want to transfer to the student union insurance instead.
 In some rare cases, you may be able to opt-out if you receive comparable
insurance through a scholarship program. You need to check with Patrick.
 The deadline to opt-out is January 17, 2020.

9. WHEN WILL GUARD.ME POLICY NUMBERS BE
AVAILABLE?
 You can expect to receive your policy number by early February at your
mun email. In the meantime, you are still covered. You may have to pay
up front and get reimbursed later. The hospital will usually allow delayed
billing until you receive your policy number.

10. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK?
 In an emergency, go to the Western Memorial Regional Hospital
 Provide staff with the following information:
 Name
 current address
 home address
 telephone numbers
 Student Guard.Me number OR MCP Card
 If you do not have your policy number or MCP, accounts payable will
hold the billing for this client’s visit for a maximum of three weeks
and make a couple of attempts at contacting the client, if billing
information is not received by this time the client will be billed for
the visit.

11. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK?
 If it is not an emergency, you can make an appointment to see a doctor on
campus
 To book an appointment with Counselling and Psychological services, please call
637-7919 or drop by the clinic office.
 To book an appointment with a Physician, please call 637-7919, email
healthservices@grenfell.mun.ca or drop by the clinic office.
 Please bring along your MCP health card (which you can apply for if you are living in
the province for over a year). or GuardMe insurance card (for international students
living here for short term or ESL students). You can find your GuardMe insurance
info in you MUN email.
 Physician clinics are offered on campus (schedule to be announced later)
 Physiotherapy and Chiropractor services may also be available through Health
Services,
Your Guard.Me may not cover the cost of treatment or consultation if it is not an
emergency, especially if it is a pre-existing condition. Please review your policy.
 If you do not know what to do but it is not an emergency, you can
dial 811
 If you are in an emergency situation that requires immediate
attention, contact CEP or dial 911

12. IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE 101
GRENFELL CAMPUS, MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY
FALL 2019
BY: PATRICK ARSENAULT

13. IMMIGRATION ADVISING
 Patrick Arsenault, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, can
provide immigration advice.
 Your first point of contact should be Patrick so he is aware of your
individual situation. He may connect you with agents at the provincial
government or the Association for New Canadians in some cases for
additional support.
 Check with Patrick before dropping classes, starting working at a new job,
accepting an internship, traveling outside of Canada, at least six months
before important documents expire.

14. MOST COMMON TOPICS
 Applying for your Initial Study Permit
 Study Permit Renewal
 Work Off Campus
 Coop Work Permit
 Post Graduate Work Permit
 Entry Visa (TRV) application from inside of Canada
 Destitute Student Work Permit
 Spousal Work Permit
 Inviting People to Visit you in Canada
 Replacing an immigration document
 Requesting an amendment to an immigration document

15. WORK AUTHORIZATION: WHO CAN WORK
 Exchange student or a degree-seeking student (ESL students are not
allowed to work)
 Your study permit must indicate that you are allowed to work
 You must have obtained a SIN prior to starting your job
 You must be enrolled full time (3 courses) unless you are in a scheduled
break
 You can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during semesters and
unlimited hours in scheduled breaks (graduate students do not get
scheduled breaks)
 There is no limitation on the number of hours you can work on-campus
 Anyone can volunteer. It does not mean that because you are not getting
paid, it is volunteer work as opposed to employment. Check with Patrick.

16. IMMIGRATION IS NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL
 Immigration is complex and most of the time, you will need to connect
with a regulated immigration consultant to truly understand the best
course of action in your own personal situation.
 You should not follow the advice of your friends even if they have first-
hand experience with a process.
 Immigration laws and regulations are constantly changing in Canada.
What was true last year may not be accurate anymore. It’s always better to
check.
 Because it is so complex, it is required to make an appointment with
Patrick in advance and provide some details beforehand so that he can do
an initial review of legislation and procedures before meeting with you.