Every year, thousands of international students arrive in Canada, bringing with them dreams of a promising education and a brighter future. However, for many, especially those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease and thalassemia in Ontario, this dream quickly becomes overshadowed by the daunting reality of unclear health insurance coverage.

International students bring diversity, innovation, and revenue to Canadian universities, yet many find themselves in precarious health situations, uncovered by unclear health insurance policies. This Winter, as campuses buzz back to life, the reality that some students are only a diagnosis away from financial ruin looms large.

The Ontario Hemoglobinopathy Patient Association (OHPA), with its members, the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) and the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada (TFC), recently highlighted this critical issue in a letter to the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI), University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), and Council of Ontario Universities (COU) pointing out the urgent need for transparency and fairness in health insurance for international students, particularly those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Our letters highlighted that many of these students thought that the insurance provided through their school applications would be sufficient. However, upon arrival in Ontario and when facing a health crisis in a hospital, they discovered that they needed additional insurance to support their well-being while studying in Canada.

The health insurance currently provided to these students is a labyrinth of exclusions, often unbeknownst to them until they face a medical emergency. For instance, many are unaware that their coverage does not extend to pre-existing conditions or that it lapses during extended academic breaks, leaving them vulnerable. This lack of clarity and support comes at a high cost, not only financially but also emotionally and academically, as students grapple with the stress of managing unexpected medical debts alongside their studies.

Many times, the students cannot pay the high medical bills, and Canadian hospitals are left with unpaid bills. This experience and financial burden not only affects the students’ mental and physical health but also exacerbates their medical conditions, creating a detrimental cycle of stress and ill health. 

Additionally, the student with chronic illness requiring medical attention may not want to go back to the hospital due to financial strain, even when in dire health situations that require urgent care and/or hospitalization.

OHPA's advocacy is a plea for clarity and action. It asks for simple, straightforward communication about what health insurance covers and what it doesn't. It demands guidance for purchasing adequate coverage and insists on explicit terms regarding the insurer's obligations. These are not unreasonable demands for basic rights that should be afforded to every student who chooses to study in Ontario.

However, the response from UHIP and the other bodies, identified above, has been one of a push-around with one organization pointing to the next, and none of these bodies claiming responsibility nor intending to help resolve the issue! This is yet another reflection of a bureaucratic maze that prioritizes profit over people.

It is important for all students, especially international students, to understand their financial obligations before they arrive in the country. Once students are already in Canada, they may find their insurance insufficient to cover healthcare costs. This pre-arrival awareness is critical, as it allows students to assess whether they can afford the potential expenses and whether to pursue their education in Canada or not. 

As such, we are recommending a concerted effort to overhaul how health insurance for international students is handled, ensuring it is transparent and informative.

As members of the academic and healthcare communities and as fellow citizens in general, we must hold these institutions accountable. We must advocate for policies that do not exploit any member of the community whether citizens or visitors. It’s time for UHIP, OUAC, and the other stakeholders to step up and make the necessary changes.