Student Health Coverage

Niagara University has partnered with Morcare and We Speak Student, to provide comprehensive health coverage to our student community.

Policy Coverage Year:

At Niagara University, Student the policy period for student health coverage is as follows for students beginning in the following academic terms:

Fall: August to August
Spring: January to August

Access to converge cards will be provided on the first day of classes in any given academic term. Late arrival students are encouraged to wait up to 48 hours after their enrollment date to access their coverage card.

Domestic Students

(Canadian Permanent Residents and Citizens)

We Speak Student is Niagara University’s domestic student health coverage provider. As domestic students are OHIP eligible, We Speak Student provides optional supplementary health coverage for medical needs such as prescription drugs, dental, extended health vision and more!

Domestic Student Plan

A comprehensive overview of the health coverage plan, is conveniently located on the homepage of the coverage provider’s website. There students will find information on prescription drugs, dental, extended health benefits, vision care, accident coverage, and travel benefits.

For more in-depth coverage details, students can access the Student Insurance Booklet in PDF format, accessible via “Your Space“.

We Speak Student provides a wide range of Healthcare providers for students reference via their, “Discount Network”. Healthcare providers affiliated wit We Speak Student’s discount network, provide direct billing services, which help students avoid out-of-pocket costs.

Students may search for providers in their local area by using the Discount Network and Provider Map search tools.

Students who incur out-of-pocket costs are encouraged to review their coverage plan for more detailed information regarding their coverage eligibility. A detailed PDF of coverage details may be accessed via “Your Space”.

Students may submit drug, dental, vision, and health claims electronically to Morcare via the “Online Claims Submission” tool alongside a copy of their original receipts and invoices for reimbursement. Claims may take up to 4 weeks to be processed.

Domestic Students may access their Coverage Card in three easy steps:

Visit the We Speak Student website and click the “Your Space” link in the top right-hand corner.
Under the “Booklets & Forms” section, click “Student Benefits Card” to download a fillable PDF of your coverage card.
Enter your 7 digit Student ID number in the space provided to complete your coverage card.

We highly recommend keeping both a printed and digital copy of your coverage card with you at all times to ensure seamless access to healthcare services

As domestic students are OHIP eligible, We Speak Student provides optional supplementary health coverage for medical needs such as prescription drugs, dental, extended health vision and more!

Students who wish to opt out of the supplementary coverage or add family (dependent) coverage must complete and submit the “Family Opt In or Opt Out Form” found on the We Speak Student homepage, within 30 days from the start date of the academic term.

We Speak Student offers convenient support for all student health coverage needs.

Call Toll Free: 1-800-315-1108
Access their live Chat (bottom right-hand corner of We Speak Students webpage).

International Students

(Study Permit Holders)

Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system that provides universal health coverage for all citizens and permanent residents. “OHIP” is the Ontario Health Insurance Plan provided to all domestic students

As international students do not have access to Canada’s publicly funded health care program, they are required to obtain alternative health insurance. Morcare is the international student OHIP alternative provider at Niagara University.

Note: Protected Persons and convention refugees are automatically enrolled in the international student heath coverage plan and may opt out within the first 30days of the term, if they are OHIP eligible.

International Student Plans

For more in-depth coverage details, students can access the International Student Insurance Booklet in PDF format, accessible via “Your Space“.

Although all students may access their coverage details from the first day of classes, international students receive early arrival access, and may submit claims dated up to 30 days before their policy start date, provided they are physically present in Canada.

Morecare provides a wide range of Healthcare providers for students reference via their, “Discount Network”. Healthcare providers affiliated with Morcare’s discount network, provide direct billing services, which help students avoid out-of-pocket costs.

Students may search for providers in their local area by using the Discount Network and Provider Map search tools.

Students may submit drug, dental, vision, and health claims electronically to Morcare via the “Online Claims Submission” tool alongside, a copy of their original receipts and invoices for reimbursement. Claims may take up to 4 weeks to be processed.

Please Note: Access to converge cards will be provided on the first day of classes in any given academic term. Late arrival students are encouraged to wait up to 48 hours after their enrollment date to access their coverage card.

International Students may access their Coverage Card in two easy steps:

Visit the Morcare website and click the “Your Space” link in the top right-hand corner.
In the “Student Medical Card” section, submit your Date of Birth and 7 digit Student ID number to generate your coverage card.

We highly recommend keeping both a printed and digital copy of your coverage card with you at all times to ensure seamless access to healthcare services.

International students and Protected Persons who qualify for OHIP

Most international students do not qualify for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). However, Service Ontario states that international students with valid work permits (such as post-graduate work permits) may be eligible for an OHIP card if they meet the following requirements:

are physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12‑month period
are physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after they began living in the province
make Ontario their primary residence
are in Ontario on a valid work permit and working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least 6 months

Students who qualify for OHIP must contact Student Services and provide a copy of their OHIP card within the first 30 days of the policy period to opt out of the international student health coverage.

Important: OHIP cards must be valid for the entire health coverage period to be eligible for approval. Students will be notified of a decision in writing within 5 business days.

OHIP cards are retained for three years in accordance with Niagara University’s document retention guidelines.

International students who do not qualify for OHIP

International students who do not qualify for OHIP and so require coverage are automatically enrolled in this health plan at the start of their policy period. Students may opt-in their dependent family member(s) within the first 30 days of the policy period to have them added to their health coverage plan.

Details regarding the opt-in process and additional payment information may be found directly on the Morcare website during the coverage opt in/out period.

International students who have recently obtained Canadian Permanent Residency (i.e., possess a valid Permanent Residency Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residency document) or anticipate family members joining them at a later date are advised to contact Student Services within 30 days of their change of status in Canada, to assess their eligibility for Student Health Coverage during the current academic term.

Morcare offers convenient support for all student health coverage needs.

Call Toll Free: 1-800-985-1552
Access their live Chat (bottom right-hand corner of the Morcare homepage).