UHIP and TeleTest#

How international students with UHIP and similar university health plans can use TeleTest for virtual consultations, lab testing, and prescriptions.

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is a mandatory health-insurance plan for international students at Ontario universities, administered by Sun Life. It is designed to provide coverage roughly similar to the provincial health plan that domestic Ontario residents receive through OHIP. International students in other provinces typically have a similar university or government-affiliated plan (sometimes called iMED or named for the local insurer) - the general guidance on this page applies, but always check the specifics with your plan administrator.

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What UHIP covers and what TeleTest does#

UHIP is intended to mirror provincial-plan coverage for medically necessary services. In practice this includes most doctor and nurse-practitioner visits, most lab tests, hospital care, and emergency care.

TeleTest is a fee-for-service virtual platform. This means:

  • You pay for the TeleTest consultation up front at the time of booking.
  • We provide an itemized receipt that includes the clinician's name and credentials.
  • You submit the receipt to your UHIP plan administrator (Sun Life) for reimbursement.

Whether UHIP reimburses a virtual consultation depends on your specific plan's rules. Some UHIP plans reimburse virtual care directly; others reimburse only when the service is provided in person; some require pre-authorization for non-emergency care. Contact Sun Life or your university's international-student office before booking if reimbursement is important to you.

Lab testing under UHIP#

Most routine lab testing in Ontario is covered under UHIP through direct-billing arrangements with the major lab providers (LifeLabs and Dynacare have well-established direct-billing setups with UHIP for many test categories). This means you usually don't pay at the lab counter for covered tests.

A few things to know:

  • Coverage generally overlaps with what OHIP covers. If a test is OHIP-insured, it is usually UHIP-insured.
  • Specialty tests outside OHIP coverage may require private payment. For example, vitamin D in an asymptomatic person, some hormone panels, certain advanced cardiovascular markers, and tests that you choose to repeat outside the recommended interval may be charged to you directly.
  • Bring your UHIP card to the lab. The lab needs your UHIP policy number to bill the insurer.
  • Two reminders at the lab. Ask the technician to confirm that only the TeleTest clinician is listed on the requisition (no copy-to a different doctor unless you want one). And, if you are getting tests from two clinicians at the same visit, present only one requisition at a time - some labs will merge them and route results to a single clinician, which can cause confusion.

Prescription coverage under UHIP#

UHIP plans usually include a separate prescription drug benefit, often through Sun Life. Coverage varies by plan tier:

  • The drug benefit usually covers prescription drugs in part, with a per-prescription co-pay or a percentage co-insurance.
  • Some categories of medication may be excluded or capped.
  • Over-the-counter medications generally are not covered, even if your clinician suggested them.

When TeleTest issues a prescription, you take it to any pharmacy in your province. The pharmacy bills your drug plan directly. You pay only the co-pay or the uncovered portion.

Common questions#

I have UHIP. Can I use TeleTest?#

Yes. International students with UHIP can use TeleTest for online consultations, lab requisitions, and prescriptions. You pay for the consultation at booking and submit the receipt to UHIP (Sun Life) for possible reimbursement. Confirm your plan's reimbursement rules with Sun Life or your university's international-student office.

I have UHIP but not OHIP. How do I fill out forms that ask for a health card number?#

If you have UHIP and not OHIP, leave the OHIP/health-card field blank or write "UHIP" with your UHIP policy number. UHIP does not issue a health card the same way OHIP does. The lab and the pharmacy will use your UHIP policy details to bill the insurer directly.

Is lab testing covered under UHIP?#

Most routine lab tests are covered. LifeLabs and Dynacare direct-bill UHIP for most insured test categories. You typically don't pay at the lab for covered tests.

For specialty tests outside the regular insured list - for example, vitamin D in an asymptomatic person, certain hormone panels, or advanced cardiovascular markers - you may be billed directly by the lab. Submit the lab receipt to UHIP afterwards for possible reimbursement.

Is STI testing covered under UHIP?#

Yes, the standard STI panel (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV) is covered for clinically indicated reasons. Specialty tests like Mycoplasma genitalium are usually not covered under UHIP and are paid out of pocket. The lab will let you know at the time of the visit.

Is metabolic testing (diabetes, cholesterol, etc.) covered under UHIP?#

Yes. Routine metabolic testing - fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel, kidney function - is covered under UHIP when ordered for a clinically appropriate reason.

I'm an international student in BC. Does the same apply?#

Most international students in BC are on a university-affiliated plan such as iMED. The general principles are similar - virtual-consult reimbursement varies by plan, most routine lab testing is covered when clinically indicated, and prescriptions are covered in part through a drug benefit. Confirm specifics with your plan administrator.

I'm an international student in Quebec. Does the same apply?#

International students in Quebec usually have coverage through the Sun Life-administered RAMQ-equivalent plan offered by the university. RAMQ does not cover international students directly. Most routine medical visits and lab testing are covered through the university plan; prescription drug coverage is through the same plan. Confirm specifics with your plan administrator.

Can TeleTest renew a prescription I was taking before I arrived in Canada?#

TeleTest can renew most prescription medications for ongoing conditions if the clinician can verify what you were taking and confirm it remains clinically appropriate. We will usually ask for a copy of your previous prescription (a pharmacy label, a bottle photo, or a letter from your previous prescriber) and may ask for recent lab results.

We do not currently renew prescriptions for:

  • Controlled substances and narcotics
  • Stimulant medications (for example, those used in ADHD treatment)
  • Most testosterone or estrogen-based hormone therapy
  • Methadone, buprenorphine, or other opioid-agonist therapy

These typically need an in-person clinician relationship.

Will TeleTest bill UHIP directly?#

No. TeleTest does not direct-bill UHIP or any other insurance provider. You pay at booking and submit the receipt for reimbursement.

Can I get a receipt that includes my UHIP policy number?#

Yes. After your consultation, a receipt is available in your TeleTest account. If you need a customized invoice for UHIP submission (with your policy number or a specific format), please contact us.

What happens if my UHIP doesn't reimburse the visit?#

You can still use TeleTest - the consultation fee is paid at booking, and reimbursement is between you and your insurer. If your plan does not cover virtual consultations, the cost is out of pocket. Many international students still find the access convenient, especially when the alternative is finding a walk-in clinic that bills the plan correctly.

My UHIP card hasn't arrived yet. Can I still use TeleTest?#

Yes. UHIP coverage is usually effective from the date you registered as a student, even if the physical card has not arrived. You can use TeleTest in the meantime and submit your receipt to UHIP once your card and policy number are available. Keep the receipt safely until then.

Request a TeleTest consultation#

Last reviewed: Spring 2026. Reviewed by Dr. Mohan Pandit, Chief Medical Officer at TeleTest. We review this page periodically as medical guidelines, lab practices, and provincial programs evolve. This page is for general information, not personal medical advice. UHIP and other university health plans change their rules regularly - always confirm the latest with Sun Life or your plan administrator. If you've noticed information that may be out of date or have suggestions, please contact us - we appreciate the help keeping these resources accurate.

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