Opt Out
All new international students in Canada studying at NIC will be enrolled in GuardMe@NIC health insurance plan for 90-days effective on the first day of international orientation.
Continuing students that require GuardMe coverage because their MSP is expiring or has expired should contact [email protected] to get enrolled in GuardMe.
It is mandatory for all students in Canada studying at NIC to have valid medical insurance. For more information, please contact an international student advisor in the Office of Global Engagement at [email protected]
How to Opt-Out/Withdraw from GuardMe
If you already have valid BC MSP coverage, you may opt out of the GuardMe@NIC health insurance plan.
For the 100% opt-out to be accepted, you must meet the following criteria:
- Successfully complete the opt out form below within the first 30 days of the start date of your GuardMe policy;
- Have BC MSP coverage that’s valid for the entire 90-day GuardMe enrollment period; and
- No claims made towards your GuardMe policy
Please note that your successful opt-out form must include the alternate insurance declaration and identify your start date and end date under the other plan at the time you apply to opt out.
If you miss the opt-out deadline above, you may be eligible for a partial cancellation if you have not made a claim and there is at least one month of coverage remaining on your GuardMe policy at the time you submit your opt out request.
If your opt out is successful, an email will be sent to your North Island College email account.
Any international students at NIC enrolled in GuardMe who do not qualify or apply to opt out will be automatically re-enrolled in the GuardMe@NIC health insurance plan for another 90-days.
Eligible Plans Required to Opt Out/Withdraw from GuardMe
- BC Medical Services Plan (BC MSP)
- Canadian provincial or territorial public health plan (GHIP)
Who We Are
Canadian. Independent. Trusted.
GuardMe a proudly Canadian-owned and independent company,
has been unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding international students, staff, and schools since 1998.
For nearly three decades, we've poured ourselves into building strong partnerships with educational institutions
to bolster student support and foster safe, nurturing learning environments that make a difference.
As a trailblazer in the industry, GuardMe was the first
to introduce a Wellness Program, recognizing that
mental health is just as vital as physical well-being. Our 24/7 multilingual mental health helpline, virtual
counselling, and crisis intervention services provide immediate, culturally sensitive support, empowering
students to navigate life abroad confidently.
GuardMe was also the first provider to achieve ISO and
SOC 2 compliance in both security and privacy.
Unlike our venture-capital-backed competitors, we store all student data exclusively in Canadian data centres,
safeguarded by some of the world's strictest privacy laws. With advanced encryption and continuous investment
in security innovations, we set the industry benchmark for data protection.
Mental Wellness Student Support Program
keep.meSAFE’s innovative Student Support Program (SSP) helps students by promoting early
intervention and 24/7 access to mental health support. We help students manage their mental
health so they can fully participate in academic life and complete their studies. keep.meSAFE
is the first support program to use linguistically and culturally matched licensed clinicians,
providing your students a welcoming place where they are comfortable to seek help.
Program Features
Full integration with on-campus resources
Master’s level counsellors experienced in supporting domestic and international students
Access to a counsellor who understands their culture in their preferred language
Immediate and fully confidential support 24/7, through chat and telephone, as well as ongoing support
Free My SSP app with direct access to counsellors and self directed multilingual resources
Outcomes based success measures to report on results
Did you know?
50%
50% of students have felt overwhelming anxiety, making it hard to succeed academically
31%
31% of post-secondary students have felt so depressed that it was difficult to function
Want more information?
Contact our keep.meSAFE sales team,
[email protected]
www.keepmesafe.org
If this is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Get support when you need it most
Studying at college or university whether in another country or another city can be a wonderful and exciting life experience.
But it can also be a time of tremendous stress and isolation as you learn to navigate a new landscape and begin campus life.
The GuardMe Student Support Program is a support service available to eligible students that can help
them with challenges faced when studying or living abroad. You can contact SSP anytime – day or night – to speak with
a counsellor who has experience supporting the unique challenges students face.
Access support from anywhere and anytime
Download the TELUS Student Support App from either the Apple App Store or Google Play
Call 1-844-451-9700
Outside North America 001-416-380-6578
Chat directly with a counsellor through the app.
Visit www.gmssp.org to learn more!
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Provides you with confidential support
SSP is completely confidential within the limits of the law,
so no one – including your family, friends, or professors – will ever know you
used the program unless you choose to tell them
Talk to a an SSP counsellor who
- Is available 24/7 and at no cost to you
- Keeps your information confidential
- Understands your culture
- Speaks your language
Get help and advice about anything
- Being successful at school
- Relationships with friends and family
- Language and cultural barriers
- Anxiety and stress
- Balancing work and school
- Adapting to new cultures
mobileDOCTOR by guard.me allows you to connect with Canadian
doctors on Maple, a telemedicine company, as a part of your health
benefits. Maple provides access to doctors, Canada wide, on your
phone, tablet or computer anytime, anywhere.
Seeing a doctor on Maple is safe and reliable, and can help prevent
the need to go to a walk-in clinic or Emergency Room.
When outside of Canada the Mobile Doctor service connecting you
to a Canadian doctor in real time remains available 24/7 for advice
purposes only.
How It Works
2. Apply account coverage for family members
To add insured family members, click on “Patient Profiles” from the dashboard.
In “Account Settings” under the “Coverage” tab, add the relevant guard.me policy numbers.
3. Chat With A Doctor
Click the “See The Doctor” button and a Maple doctor will respond to you in minutes.
You can have your consultation by text, video, or audio chat.
4. Get a diagnosis, prescription, or lab requisition
Doctors can diagnose injuries and illnesses, write prescriptions, and provide lab requisitions, all within your consultation. Please note that only eligible prescriptions and lab requisitions are covered by guard.me and can only be provided if you are in Canada.
What Can Be Treated
Sign up today at guard.me/mobiledoctorOpens a new window
Mobile Doctor - How To Video
Limitation on Liability
The Insurer, the Plan Administrator and/or the Claim Administrator are not responsible for the availability,
quality or results of any Medical Treatment, or Your failure to obtain Medical Treatment or transportation
and shall not be held liable for any negligence, wrongful acts or omissions of any service providers.
Do you need more information?
Please write to us at:
[email protected]
