Student Health Insurance

All students are required to have health care insurance. Private insurance is provided for most students through our office by Guard Me (Student Guard). The student’s insurance coverage card will be sent to the school and given to the student during the first week they are here. Our office can also provide you with this information. Private insurance companies generally require that the student pay the fees for service at the time of treatment and get reimbursed by submitting receipts to them for payment. Please call the International Student Program office if you or your student needs to be reimbursed for an expense. A typical visit to the doctor’s office should be approximately $80.00 (Drop-In Clinic – Nanaimo Clinics), whereas a visit to the local Urgent Care will cost a minimum of $1000.00. Please advise if using Urgent Care to bill Guard Me directly. If this is not possible, they may bill the school district using 502 Bay Avenue, Parksville, BC V9P 1C7. The student MUST provide a study permit to the hospital and ask for doctor’s notes. OUR OFFICE MUST BE MADE AWARE OF HOSPITAL VISITS OR CRITICAL INJURIES! Note that Under Guard Me private insurance plan, a student is covered for emergency medical problems (not pre-existing conditions)

Some students purchase their own insurance before they arrive or it is provided by their Agent for the duration of their stay. Please have the student present their proof of coverage on their first day of school for photocopying.

In the case of a medical emergency: Take the student to a hospital or urgent care. Phone the Guard Me number on the insurance card immediately and follow the instructions. Then phone the ISP Emergency number at 250-954-3049 or 911


If the student is ill and needs to visit a doctor:

*Mobile Doctor – for students who have Guard Me insurance, Mobile Doctor is an excellent option. Visit a doctor online from the comfort of your own home! This option is FREE for Guard Me students. • Asthma • Cold & Flu • Coughs• Earaches• Hives • Infections• Migraines • Pink Eye • Sinus Infections • Sore Throat • Urinary Tract Infections • Vomiting / Diarrhea AND MANY MORE

Students must register for Mobile Doctor to make an appointment Mobile Doctor Registration

DO NOT USE THE OCEANSIDE URGENT CARE CLINIC, UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY

Click here for medical information and a list of walk-in clinics. If you have to drive to Nanaimo, you will be reimbursed $30.00 for fuel. take the student to the clinic.

When you fill prescriptions for your student from a Pharmacy, they may bill Guard Me directly.

Guard Me Claims:

Some clinics will charge the student, and the student will need to pay. The student will then submit their claim to Guard Me and be reimbursed. Or, some clinics may send a bill in the mail. This too would need to be submitted to Guard Me.
Students will need to be responsible for sending in their claims (with their homestay’s help) before they depart!

The link to this website is: https://www.guard.me/qsd/or click on the Guard.Me graphic.

Note: If your student does not have their Guard Me card, we have a copy of it on file at our office. You may contact our office for this information, but claims must now be submitted by the student.

Health and Safety

Safety is an important concern for parents, students, and others. Students will be instructed about these issues, but it would be a good idea for you to review safety procedures with your students, both for your home, for example, fire escape routes, and in the community, (without alarming them unduly)/ If you become concerned about any safety issues involving your student, then please inform us.

Drugs and Alcohol: Student use of drugs and/or alcohol is strictly prohibited. If you become aware that your student has used alcohol or illegal drugs, it is your responsibility to inform the District Principal immediately.

Relationships: Personal relationships are discouraged, but may inevitably form with some students. It is important to keep us informed if you suspect your student is becoming involved in a serious personal relationship so that the student can be counseled appropriately.

Bikes and Skateboards: All students are required to wear a helmet! Do not allow your student to bike or skateboard without one

Streets and Streetlights: When your student first arrives, please ensure that they are aware that our community can be very dark at night. Students must be encouraged and reminded to wear clothing or items that can be seen in the dark

Personal Safety: Students should not be walking alone in the dark. Please ensure that your student has a safe way to get home after dark.