Health and Dental Insurance
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
University Health Insurance Program (UHIP)
Green Shield Health Benefit
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
OHIP is a centralized, government-sponsored health care plan provided to all residents of the Province of Ontario who hold an OHIP card. OHIP covers immediate medical care, such as emergency care, in-hospital care, doctor’s visits, and much more. For detailed information, visit the OHIP site. OHIP does not cover prescription drugs, eyeglasses, or dental care.
Canadian residents returning to Canada after 212 days out of the Country are eligible to enrol in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)after a 3 month waiting period. UHIP is required for the 3 month waiting period.
PDFs coming to Ontario from another Canadian province should consult with the health care plan in their home province prior to coming to Toronto. It is the responsibility of the PDF to confirm that his or her current provincial plan is effective for the three-month OHIP waiting period.
After three months, provided that the PDF engagement is at least 6 months, the PDF will be covered under OHIP.
Non Canadian residents (international PDFs and dependents) that have a work permit for at least 6 months and a formal agreement to work full-time for at least 6 consecutive months are eligible for OHIP after a three-month waiting period. Proof of the engagement terms must be provided to the OHIP office. UHIP is required for the 3 month waiting period for international PDFs and dependents.
If the PDF is engaged at U of T for less than 6 months, the PDF and dependents will not be eligible for OHIP. In such instances, UHIP is required for the full duration of their stay in Canada.
Please note that proof of health coverage must be provided for school-aged children prior to their enrolment in school.
For further information on OHIP eligibility, visit the OHIP Web site or contact OHIP at 1-800-268-1154.
University Health Insurance Program (UHIP)
UHIP is mandatory for all PDFs and their dependents who are not covered by OHIP. UHIP coverage must be purchased from the Postdoctoral Office within the first 30 days of arriving. If UHIP is not purchased within 30 days for dependents, a $500 late registration fee will be added to the UHIP premiums.
Please be prepared to provide the following documents and payment for all members that are enrolling in UHIP:
- Your passport indicating your date of arrival in Canada
- Your engagement letter
- A certified cheque or money order, in Canadian funds, made payable to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto; debit cards from Canadian banks are also accepted. No cash or credit card payments are accepted.
- The passports of your spouse, partner and/or children, if accompanying you
As of September 1, 2011, the UHIP premium rate for three months coverage for a single PDF is $171.00. PDFs requiring additional coverage for their spouse, partner and/or children must pay additional premiums, and may consult the UHIP Premium tables.
UHIP covers:
- doctors’ and specialists' services at home, in a hospital or institution, or in the doctor's office
- one annual health exam
- diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, including fractures and dislocations
- surgery, including the administration of anesthetics
- care related to pregnancy (prenatal and postnatal), even if pregnancy began before arrival in Ontario
UHIP does not cover:
- prescription drugs
- eyeglasses, frames, or contact lenses
- dental care services
- medical examinations and required tests
Please note that it is extremely difficult to obtain an exemption from UHIP. All PDFs should be prepared to purchase UHIP coverage. For information on how to apply for an exemption, please visit the UHIP website. You do not have to join UHIP if you are covered under a pre-approved plan.
If you do not see your current plan on this site, you must purchase UHIP coverage upon arrival in Canada.
Additional information on UHIP can be found at www.uhip.ca.
Green Shield Health Benefit
The Green Shield benefit came into effect for PDFs in January 2008. The plan was updated, after a review, in August 2010 and an overview of improved benefits is available; for the entire booklet, please read below.
The plan provides PDFs with many important services, and covers some expenses not covered by OHIP or UHIP. This benefit will include some dental coverage, prescription drug costs and some additional health benefits (such as health practitioners and medical equipment).
This plan is mandatory for all PDFs who are receiving their stipend payment through the university’s payroll system and must have their postdoctoral engagement at U of T confirmed in the Postdoctoral Fellows Registration Database (this is done by your graduate unit).
Please consult the Green Shield benefit booklet for detailed information about your coverage.
The benefit coverage must be pre-paid by one month. Your monthly contributions will be deducted from your monthly stipend. This means that if you start your engagement in September and enrol in September, your first contribution will be deducted in your September pay statement and your coverage will begin on October 1st.
You will need to enrol in order to receive the benefit. Please fill out the enrolment form and return it in person, by fax or by email to Postdoctoral Office. Please do not forget to sign and date the enrolment form.
Once your postdoctoral fellowship engagement ends or is terminated your coverage will end one month following your last contribution. You will have 3 months after this to submit any eligible claims incurred on or before the last day of your coverage. Please be aware that if your postdoctoral fellowship is renewed you will need to renew your enrolment by filling out the form again and submitting it to the Postdoctoral Office; your enrolment in the benefit will not automatically be extended with your fellowship renewal.
You can only opt out/terminate the plan if you have equivalent or better coverage through your spouse/partner's plan. You will need to provide proof that you have coverage through your spouse/partner’s plan and the completed the enrolment form indicating that you are opting out/terminating the plan.
Register for Plan Member Online Services for your personal claims and coverage information at www.greenshield.ca under the Plan Members section of the website.
If you have any questions regarding claims or coverage eligibility, refer to your benefit booklet, visit Plan Member Online Service or call Green Shield Customer Service Center at 1-888-711-1119.
Please note: This site is for information purposes only. In the event of a discrepancy, benefits will be paid according to the official documents.