Understanding Student Health Care: What You Need to Know at Lakehead

Navigating health care as a university student can be confusing, especially if you're doing it for the first time. At Lakehead, your access to health services depends on where you're from, what kind of health plan you have, and where you seek care.

Here’s what you need to know to stay on top of your health while you’re here.

What’s Covered and By Whom?

If you're a student from Ontario, you're likely familiar with OHIP- Ontario’s provincial health care plan. OHIP covers basic medical services like doctor and hospital visits, lab work, and surgery. However, it doesn’t include things like prescription drugs (outside of a hospital), dental care, or vision services.

What if you're from another province?

If you're a Canadian student from outside Ontario, your home province’s health plan will still cover you while you’re studying in Ontario, but it’s important to know what that includes. Most provincial plans will pay for essential medical care (like doctor or hospital visits), but you may be required to pay up front and seek reimbursement, depending on the service and provider.

To make things easier, it’s a good idea to:

  • Bring your provincial health card to all appointments

  • Know what’s covered in your plan while studying out of province.

  • Consider supplementary insurance, especially for things like prescriptions, dental work, or vision care.

What about international students?

If you’re an international student, you’re automatically enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). This plan provides similar coverage to OHIP: doctor visits, emergency care, hospital stays, and more and is billed through your tuition. Still not sure what your coverage includes? You can visit uhip.ca or email uhip@lakeheadu.ca for help.

Academic English Program (AEP) and Exchange (Global ME) students are automatically enrolled in Guard.Me.  You can contact guardme@lakeheadu.ca if you have questions.

Supplementary Coverage: The LUSU Health and Dental Plan

Since provincial and international health plans don’t cover everything, most students also have access to supplementary insurance through the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU).

Undergraduate students registered in at least 3.75 FCEs for the fall and winter terms are automatically enrolled in the LUSU Health and Dental Plan, while graduate, international, and part-time students can opt in.

This plan helps with:

  • Dental and vision care

  • Prescriptions and eligible vaccines

  • Mental health supports (like therapy or counselling)

  • Services like chiropractic, massage, and physiotherapy

You can also access exclusive discounts through local providers. For more information or to opt in, visit lusu.ca/healthplan.

Where to Go When You're Sick

If you need medical care that isn’t urgent, your first stop should be Student Health and Wellness (SHW). Located right on campus, SHW offers by-appointment medical services that are available to all Lakehead students, whether full-time or part-time, domestic or international. You’ll be seen by a primary care provider such as a nurse, nurse practitioner (OR Campus), or a physician (TB Campus) who can address your needs. SHW can direct bill both OHIP and UHIP, so be sure to bring your health card. If you’re using another provincial plan, please bring your card with you and be prepared that you may need to pay up front. 

Need to be seen right away?

If SHW is closed or you need care sooner, you have a few options:

  • Walk-in clinics and Urgent Care Clinics can often provide same-day care. These clinics are physician-led and covered by provincial health plans and UHIP, but billing practices vary. 

  • Pharmacists in Ontario can now assess and prescribe for a list of common minor ailments. Often, no appointment is needed, and you may be seen more quickly than at a clinic. However, pharmacy prescribing services are only fully covered for students with OHIP. International and out-of-province students may still access these services, but could be asked to pay up front and submit for reimbursement through UHIP or their home province’s plan. UHIP billing also varies between pharmacies, so it’s a good idea to ask before your assessment begins.

  • For life-threatening or severe medical concerns, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 (8911 if you're on campus in TB or ext. 3912 in OR). Emergency services are covered under OHIP and UHIP, but again, some hospitals may not bill UHIP directly.

It’s always a good idea to carry your health card or UHIP card with you and to ask about billing upfront, especially if you’re an international or out-of-province student.

Understanding Wait Times in Canada

Health care in Canada is publicly funded, which means many services are free at the point of care, but it also means wait times can be longer, especially for non-urgent issues. On campus at SHW, you might have to wait a few days to get an appointment, especially during busy times of year. 

Still Have Questions?

It’s completely normal to feel unsure about where to go or what your coverage includes. That’s why SHW and LUSU are here to help you figure it out. Whether you’re booking an appointment, asking about what’s covered, or just looking for a nearby provider, someone can point you in the right direction.

You can also view the full Understanding Student Healthcare guide for more detailed information and links to helpful resources.