University and College Campuses
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A4
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Western University
London, Ontario, N6A 3K7
Queen's University
Kingston, ON K7L 2N9
York University - Opening August 2026
North York, ON M3J 1P3
Vision Insurance FAQ
University of Saskatchewan
1) Undergraduate Students
Covered by Securian Canada policy (more info).
Your plan covers:
$50 per policy year for eye exams
$150 per 24 months for new or replacement eyeglasses/contact lenses
We can direct bill your insurance (pay only the difference).
More information about your plan at StudentCare.ca
2) Graduate Students
Covered by Securian Canada policy (more info).
Your plan covers:
$75 per policy year for eye exams
$150 per 2 policy years for new or replacement glasses or contact lenses
We can direct bill your insurance (pay only the difference).
More information about your plan at StudentCare.ca
3) Faculty and Staff
Most faculty and staff are eligible for:
$150 for eye exams every two calendar years, and
$300 for eyeglasses or contact lenses every 2 calendar years
It is important to note that your benefits are based on the calendar year and expire on Dec 31 if unused.
More information at the USask Wellness Site.
University of Calgary
1) Undergraduate Students
Covered by MyStudentPlan.ca (People Corporation Insurance) policy 330753.
Your plan covers:
$50 per 24 months for eye exams
$150 per 24 months for glasses
NOTE.- To allow direct biling, you must activate your student insurance account with the MyStudentPlan app or website by adding an address to your file. This only needs to be done once.
You may add an address to your insurance file by (one of):
Registering for an account at MyStudentClaim.ca. Enter plan 330753 and student ID as member number, and complete the registration including entering your address.
Install the app from the app store (Apple App Store / Google Play).
Haven’t activated your insurance account? That’s okay, you can submit the claim for reimbursement later using their mobile app or website after your visit.
2) Graduate Students
Covered by Desjardins policy Q1204.
Your plan covers:
$75 per 24 months for eye exams
$150 per 24 months for new or replacement eyeglasses or contact lenses
We are able to direct bill the GSA plan (deduct the covered amount at the time of purchase).
For more information, see ihaveaplan.ca.
3) Faculty and Staff
Staff and faculty are covered by through a group insurance plan with Alberta Blue Cross. Exact coverage varies by employee group.
We direct bill all claims (except health spending account) to Alberta Blue Cross.
Most employee groups enjoy a Health Spending Account which will reimburse eligible expenses including eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. This cannot be direct billed but we can submit the claim and you will be reimbursed to your bank account.
For more information, see University of Calgary group benefits.
University of British Columbia
1) Students
Covered by Pacific Blue Cross policy 43979.
Undergraduate (AMS) and graduate students, your plan covers:
$50 every two years toward an eye exam
$80 every two years for new or replacement eyeglasses or contact lenses
Campus Vision (UBC location) will direct bill your insurance plan. No specific steps are required in advance, once your insurance is active it is eligible to direct bill. Pay only the balance remaining after insurance coverage! Call us for an appointment today at 604-256-9595.
You must have Canadian provincial health-care coverage or equivalent coverage to make vision claims. For more information please visit studentcare.ca
2) International Students
New international students at UBC are automatically enrolled in iMED Health Insurance.
iMED covers the three month waiting period before you qualify for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)—or for the duration of your study term if you are a one-term exchange student.
In specific cases the coverage may be for longer than three months (i.e. a one-term exchange student or if you apply for an extension).
In most cases, students covered by iMED are eligible for:
One (1) eye exam with an optometrist (the first $70 is covered) every year
No eyeglasses/contact lens coverage, except in the case of eye disease or injury (see policy for full details)
Some students are also covered by the AMS student insurance which you can use toward glasses or contact lenses
We direct bill iMED so you do not have to wait for reimbursement. You are responsible for any amount not covered by iMED or in excess of the covered amount.
3) Faculty and Staff
Vision coverage depends on your employee group. Most employees are eligible for $250 to $400 every 2 years toward eyeglasses or contact lenses, depending on your employee group. Some plans have a deductible in the range of $25.
For more information, see the UBC Human Resources benefits page.
A Health Spending Account (HSA) is an additional benefit available to IUOE 882 and Management & Professional Staff only, which enhances extended health coverage. The HSA provides an annual credit amount that can be used to pay for a variety of expenses, for eligible employees and their dependents.
Western University (UWO)
1) Undergraduate Students
Covered by Canada Life policy 177890.
Your USC benefit plan covers (every two years):
$70 per eye exam
$100 toward glasses/contacts
We direct bill (at Campus Vision UWO), so you pay only the difference (as low as $25 for an eye exam!).
We also offer complete eyewear packages starting at $150!
NOTE.- to allow direct biling, you must activate your student insurance with Canada Life by adding an address to your file at least 2 business days before your appointment. You may do so by:
Registering for an account at My.CanadaLife.com/register (click “benefits”, enter plan 177890 and student ID as member number), or
Call 1-800-957-9777 and tell the representative you want to add an address to your file (same plan and ID number as above).
For more information, see MyStudentPlan.ca
2) Graduate Students
Covered by Simply Benefits policy 62250 (previous to Aug 31 2024-Desjardins Group Q1109).
As of Sept 1, 2024, we can direct bill this plan.
Your SOGS benefit plan covers:
$200 every 24 months toward an eye exam, glasses and contact lenses
More information at StudentVIP.ca. Plan previous to Aug 31 2024 info at StudentCare.ca.
Are you a T.A.? The union — P.S.A.C. Local 610 (graduate teaching assistants and postdoctoral students) also covers up to $1000 in reimbursements for Extended Health costs! Subject to certain limitations – see www.psac610.ca
Postdoctoral students also have coverage through the Postdoctoral Associate (PDA) Health Care Benefits Program.
3) Faculty and Staff
Most faculty & staff at UWO are covered by Manulife. You may also be covered under your spouse’s private insurance plan(s) and can combine both plans for maximum coverage.
Coverage and coverage cycle varies depending on your employee group, please see the UWO Human Resources “Your Benefits” page for more details, or contact the HR department (519-661-2194) or Manulife.
We are unable to pre-authorize or verify eligibility for Manulife, please call the insurance company yourself to check.
If you have signed up for the online claims site for Manulife, we may be able to direct submit electronic claims on your behalf.