Opt Out
Enrolment in the GuardMe@UVic plan is mandatory unless:
- You will be outside of Canada for the full length of your first term at UVic OR
- You are covered by one of the Eligible Plans listed below.
If you are covered by one of the plans listed below, use the form below to submit proof of alternative coverage to opt out of the GuardMe@UVic plan.
Opting out for a 100% refund
The deadline to opt out of the GuardMe@UVic plan and have the associated MTMI fee removed from your UVic student account depends on when you start your studies at UVic:
| If your first term at UVic is: |
Your 100% opt-out deadline is: |
| Fall term (September-December) |
September 22 |
| Spring term (January-April) |
January 22 |
| Summer session (May-August) |
May 22 |
You can only use this form after you log in to your GuardMe account and obtain your policy information from GuardMe. You will receive an email from GuardMe with information on setting up your account once you have been enrolled.
To opt out by the 100% opt-out deadline:
- If you are studying outside of Canada for the full length of your first term (September 1-December 31, January 1-April 30, or May 1-August 31), you must select the “Out of Canada” option.
- If you are covered by one of the Eligible Plans below for the full length of your first term at UVic (September-December, January- April, or May-August), use the form below to submit proof of alternative coverage.
- If you are requesting to opt out due to a chronic condition or if you have valid coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), please do not complete the opt-out form on this page. Instead, you should complete and submit an appeal form and supporting documentation to the International Centre for Students (ICS) at UVic on or before the opt-out deadline. Please contact the ICS for more information.
Opting out after the 100% opt-out deadline
If you are covered by one of the Eligible Plans below, you may be eligible for a fee adjustment for the unused portion of your insurance, provided that:
- you have not made any claims, and
- there is at least 1 month of coverage remaining.
The amount of your partial reimbursement will be determined by when your alternate coverage begins and when you submit your partial-opt out application. It is recommended that you submit your request as soon as possible.
Your application for a partial opt-out must be received by GuardMe before the last month of your first term:
| If your first term at UVic is: |
Your final deadline for a partial opt-out is: |
| Fall term (September-December) |
November 30 |
| Spring term (January-April) |
March 31 |
| Summer session (May-August) |
July 31 |
Eligible Plans
- African Leaders of Tomorrow (CBIE - Cowan Insurance Group)
- BC Medical Services Plan (BC MSP)
- Canadian public health plans (including Quebec)
- Corbett British Columbia-Washington International Exchange & Fellowship Program
- Libyan-North American Scholarship Program (CBIE - Manulife)
- Saudi Arabian government-sponsored plan (Cowan Insurance Group)
Accepted Documents:
BC Medical Services Plan
- BC MSP card (BC Services Card) issued more than 3 months prior to the start of the term
- If your MSP card was issued less than 3 months prior to the start date of the term, you must include a photo of the BC MSP card plus one of the following:
- Confirmation of Coverage Letter that was issued prior or with the MSP card, showing coverage effective date
- Health Insurance BC confirmation of MSP enrollment letter showing the coverage start and end dates, which can be requested through your MSP online account.
- If you are waiting for your MSP card to arrive, you can submit the confirmation of coverage letter from BC MSP. The letter must include both start and end dates of your MSP coverage. To request a letter from MSP, please visit the BC MSP website.
- If you have confirmed your coverage start dates with Health Insurance BC but have not received your coverage letter of BC Services Card, please contact the ICS for assistance.
Other eligible plans
- Proof of coverage from the other eligible plans listed above must indicate coverage for the entire duration of the term
If you have difficulty with this form or your documentation, or if you miss the deadline, contact the International Centre for Students.
The opt out window is currently closed. For future term updates, please continue to monitor your school’s website and the GuardMe opt out page.
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 SupportConnect is a support service available to eligible students that can help
them with challenges faced when studying or living abroad. You can contact SupportConnect 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 1-844-773-1427
Outside North America 001-250-999-7621
Chat directly with a counsellor through the app.
Visit www.gmssp.org to learn more!
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Provides you with confidential support
SupportConnect 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 a SupportConnect 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]