GuardMe is a short term primary medical insurance coverage. The goal of GuardMe is to help transition you to Canada while you are waiting for your BC MSP. Since you are living in BC for more than 6 months, under the Medicare Protection Act, you must apply for BC Medical Services Plan upon arrival.

Your MSP will take effect after a 3 month waiting period (this includes the balance of the first month when you arrive in BC plus 2 additional months – for example, March 1, if you arrived sometime in December). SFU will not re-enroll you in the GuardMe plan in any subsequent terms.

You will receive a welcome email from GuardMe at the beginning of semester. This email will include a link to log into your account to view your policy details. You can view and download your Healthcare Access Card (HAC) which is your proof of insurance and will have your name, student number, policy number, and policy start and end date. You can also log in via GuardMe website.

This card can be used for direct billing at some clinics and pharmacies. Make sure to keep this for future reference as you will need it for direct billing or to submit a claim.  If you have not received an email from GuardMe, please contact them at customercare@guard.me.

To opt-out of GuardMe, visit their website. Click the appropriate category and follow the opt-out instructions. To see the opt out deadlines for GuardMe click here. Most exchange students are not eligible to opt out.

Note: changes may not be reflected right away.

When visiting any of the SFU Health Clinics, print out a copy of your Healthcare Access Card (HAC) from GuardMe website. The HAC is your proof of insurance containing your coverage information. They will collect a copy for each visit and will directly bill GuardMe on your behalf. No additional claim is required. You can search GuardMe preferred clinics near your location here. These clinics will allow direct billing.

For clinics that do not allow direct billing, you will need to pay upfront for the visit. Keep copies of all your payment receipts. To submit a claim, log i to your GuardMe portal online and upload copies of your receipts. You may also download their app.

You may be eligible for a refund of the unused portion of your insurance if you have not made a claim and there is more than 1 month of coverage remaining when you apply through GuardMe. Your application for a partial reimbursement must be received by GuardMe before the last month of the term (that is, before April 1, August 1 and December 1). If approved, your partial refund will be applied to your SFU account.

If you are a TSSU member, in addition to the above, SFU HR will reimburse 85% of the GuardMe fee paid to the maximum of the cost for two persons. The reimbursement will be processed at the end of the semester. You must notify HR that you are covered by GuardMe in order for them to process the reimbursement. This is a separate process from the cancellation of your GuardMe coverage. Please contact tssubens@sfu.ca for further questions.

Students staying in BC for 6 months or longer are required to enrol in the British Columbia Medical Services Plan. There is a wait period of 2-3 months for newcomers, during which time the GuardMe plan will provide you with short-term coverage. 

BC MSP provides primary medical coverage such as:

• services provided by a doctor
• X-rays, lab tests (as required by a doctor) 
• emergency dental and oral surgery in hospital

To apply for BC MSP, complete the MSP Application online at this website.

If you are eligible, you can apply as soon as you arrive in BC. Please note there is a wait period of 2-3 months for new residents before your coverage begins. If you are a new international student at SFU, you will be automatically enrolled in GuardMe plan for your first term while you wait for your BC MSP. 

If you are a returning student travelling back to BC, in order to be covered during the wait period you may purchase a private medical insurance plan. Please contact International Services for Students about temporary medical insurance options to cover the MSP waiting period. 

Once enrolled, BC MSP will mail you a BC Services Card along with an invoice to pay. Payments may be made monthly or in advance. Payments are made directly to BC MSP, not through SFU. Visit this website to receive eBills and set up auto payments.

When visiting a health clinic or hospital, you will be asked to show your BC Services Card as proof of enrolment. You will not be required to pay for the visit, they will bill BC MSP directly.