Graduate Student Health & Dental Plan

The NBCGSS Health & Dental Plan is administered by Alumo (formerly Studentcare). It fills the gaps left by the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP).

Full details: https://nbcgss.alumo.ca
Support: 1-778-666-3503 or the support form at contact.alumo.ca
Group numbers: Health/Dental/Vision 81588 (Pacific Blue Cross) · Travel 97180 (Securian Canada)

Who’s covered
Automatic for NBCGSS members paying NBCGSS fees — full-time, part-time, international, and online students. Check your student account to confirm you’ve been assessed the fee.
Eligible to self-enrol: regional campus students, students who registered at UNBC after Nov. 30, and students who previously opted out permanently.

What’s covered

  • Prescription drugs — 80%, up to $5,000/year
  • Vaccinations — 80%, up to $150/year
  • Health practitioners — $20/visit, $400/year each (massage requires a doctor’s referral); psychologists $20/visit, $600/year; $4,000 combined maximum
  • Vision — eye exam up to $50 per 2 years; glasses/contacts up to $150 per 24 months; laser surgery up to $150/year
  • Dental — up to $750/year; 80% preventive, 70% fillings/root canals/gum treatment, 50% oral surgery and impacted extractions
  • Travel — 120 days per trip, $5,000,000 lifetime maximum, unlimited trips; trip cancellation $3,000, interruption $7,500
  • Student Assistance Program — mental health and wellness support, dependants included

Important: Fair PharmaCare
If you have BC MSP (including international students), you must register for Fair PharmaCare at my.gov.bc.ca or 1-800-663-7100. If you don’t, the Plan stops paying your prescription claims once you’ve claimed $250. Send Alumo your registration number once you’re done. Students with health care from another province, or new international students not yet on MSP, should contact Alumo instead.

Cost
$400.00 for Sept. 1 – Aug. 31 coverage. New Winter students: $266.66 for Jan. 1 – Aug. 31.
Family add-on: +$400 for one dependant, +$800 for unlimited dependants (Winter: $266.66 / $530.33).

Save more with Alumo Networks
Visiting a network provider adds coverage on top of the insured portion — an extra 30% on preventive dental (bringing it to 100%) and 20% on most other dental services. Search providers at nbcgss.alumo.ca/alumo-networks.

Changing your coverage
Opt out with proof of equivalent coverage, or add a spouse/dependants, during the Change-of-Coverage Period:

  • Fall: Sept. 2 – 23, 2026
  • Winter (new Winter students only): Jan. 5 – 22, 2027

Opt-outs are done online and take effect for the full policy year. Indigenous students receiving Health Canada or band benefits can use a status card or band membership as proof. Pay your university fees on time regardless — the credit is applied to your student account after the period closes.

Claims blackout
No claims are processed Sept. 1 – Oct. 31 (Fall) or Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 (Winter) while enrolment is finalized. Keep your receipts and submit after the blackout ends.