Onboard to UHIP
Important Note: Students must update their UTmail+ on ACORN in order to receive communication from Cowan on creating their account and printing their card.
- Check your UTmail+. If you have not received the welcome email, be sure to check your ACORN account to ensure you have an active University of Toronto email address listed. The insurance provider, Cowan cannot send welcome emails to non UTmail+ email accounts.
- To access your card, you will be asked to enter your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth and Certificate Number (which is included in the welcome email, directly under the link to access your coverage card).
- In your welcome email select the link “Click here to get your coverage card”
- Remember to print your UHIP card before your visit to a clinic
Important Note: Students must update their UTmail+ on ACORN in order to receive communication from Cowan on creating their account and printing their card.
Here’s how to create an account for Cowan’s Online Access Portal:
- In the welcome email you received from Cowan select “click here to set up your online access” and input the requested information. You can also create an account by visiting https://clients.cowangroup.ca and selecting “I’m a New User”.
- On the New User Registration Page, be sure to enter your Last Name, First Name, Date of Birth and Certificate Number as displayed in the email you received from Cowan.
NOTE: Be sure to use your University of Toronto email address to create an account (not your personal email address). Your UTmail+ will be your Username going forward. - Finally, click on “Next Step”. Cowan will send you an email with a link to complete the account creation process which will include a temporary password to access your account. Once you get the email, click on the link to finish creating your account.
NOTE: The link will expire in 24 hours. If you are unable to complete the account creation process during the 24-hour timeframe, please complete the above steps 1-2 again and another email will be sent to you. Make sure to update your temporary password after you log into the portal for the first time.
Registered international students (including exchange students) are automatically enrolled in UHIP for a 12-month period, starting September 1st and expiring August 31st (adjusted for exchange students). Coverage will be renewed automatically at the beginning of every academic year for returning international students.
Your UHIP coverage is tied to your registration status at U of T. You must remain actively registered to remain eligible for coverage under UHIP. If you de-register during the term, your coverage into UHIP through Cowan may be terminated.
*If your registration status changes from registered to de-registered more than 45 days from the beginning of academic term, you will not be issued a refund for the cost of UHIP coverage for that term.
Types of Enrollment
New international students at the University of Toronto are eligible for, and automatically enrolled into bridge coverage from August 10th to August 31st at no additional fee. Bridge coverage does not cover the cost of elective procedures. Bridge coverage cannot be utilized, before August 10th, or before students arrive in Ontario.
You will be enrolled in UHIP automatically at the beginning of the academic term in which you begin your studies. You need to follow the steps below once you arrive in Ontario:
- Contact the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) to confirm your registration status
- Upload your Offer of Admission and IVGS UHIP Form (PDF) to the UHIP portal
- Pay your UHIP fees on ACORN, your student account
Canadian citizens and permanent residents coming to Canada after living abroad are required to apply for OHIP upon arriving in Ontario. You must apply in person at a specialized Service Ontario Centre that offers a full-suite of health card services.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, there is no OHIP waiting period for OHIP coverage. If you are eligible, you may have immediate health coverage. If you are self-isolating and cannot go to Service Ontario to apply for OHIP or if you need to seek medical treatment, please contact Service Ontario at 1-866-532-3161.
Dependents are not automatically enrolled in UHIP, and you are required to enrol your eligible dependent family member(s) within 30 days of their arrival in Canada. You must be enrolled in UHIP in order to enrol your eligible dependents.
Their application must be renewed each academic year, at least 30 days before the expiry of the dependent’s current policy.
Fees for UHIP coverage of dependents for the full academic year are $756 for one dependent, $1,512 for 2 or more.
To register your dependent(s), complete the Dependents Application by following the below instructions:
- Log in to UHIP portal using your UTORid and password.
- Go to “Your Dependents” and click “Add a New Dependent”. You must input and save your dependent’s information before creating an application.
- Go to “Your UHIP Applications”.
- To create a new application, click the “New UHIP Application” button.
- Select the name(s) of the dependent(s) you would like to enroll during your appointment.
- Click “Submit”.
Students in the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) English Language Program have access to the services for the duration of their course (4 weeks to 12 weeks) while their health insurance coverage is valid. Visit the SCS Health insurance and services page for more information.
If you are not a student and do not have a student number (i.e. new employee, visiting staff), please contact your local Human Resources (HR) Office for UHIP enrollment. A complete list of HR contacts can be found at https://hrandequity.utoronto.ca/contact/.
If you are a post-doctoral Fellow, UHIP is administered by the Postdoctoral Office at SGS. Please contact the SGS Office.