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Health and Community Services Human Resources, Labour and Employment June 5, 2007 International Students to be Covered Under Province�s Medical Care Plan As a key commitment of the Provincial Immigration Strategy, 2007, the Provincial Government will be extending health care coverage under the province�s Medical Care Plan (MCP) to international students undertaking post-secondary studies in Newfoundland and Labrador. This initiative will take effect June 11, 2007. "There are approximately 1,000 international students studying in the province annually each contributing between $18,000 and $25,000 to the provincial economy each year," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Providing health care coverage for these individuals will give them peace of mind in knowing that they will not have to pay for their health care services, which further enhances our province�s ability to recruit international students." The program applies to any foreign individual issued an official study permit by Citizenship and Immigration Canada before entering the country. The individual must be attending an educational institution in Newfoundland and Labrador for a period of at least 12 months. Dependents of the student will also be covered under MCP, provided they are living in the province and have relevant documentation to support their application. Coverage will become effective for eligible students on the date of arrival in the province or the effective date of the study permit, whichever is later. Coverage terminates upon expiry of the study permit or the date of departure from Newfoundland and Labrador, whichever is earlier. Budget 2007 allocates $300,000 for this initiative with an annualized cost of $550,000. All applicants must complete a form for coverage under MCP. New application forms for the MCP program have been distributed to post-secondary institutions across the province, including Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic. Private institutions can request copies of the application form from the MCP office. Additionally, forms and contact information are available on the Provincial Government Web site at www.health.gov.nl.ca/mcp/. "International students represent a large pool of highly-skilled, talented and creative potential immigrants to our province," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "The extension of MCP coverage to international students supports two key goals under the immigration strategy, including, increasing the enrolment of international students to our post-secondary institutions and the retention of these students upon graduation." The Provincial Immigration Strategy, Diversity ~ Opportunity and Growth is focused on 18 goals to significantly increase the attraction and retention of immigrants to the province. It is the result of extensive community consultation and collaboration. Budget 2007 included a $6 million commitment, over the next three years, to implement the strategy�s goals and objectives including the establishment of an Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. Further information regarding the immigration strategy can be found at //www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/immigration/english/new.htm. - 30 - Media contacts:
FAQs MCP International Students What is the procedure for obtaining coverage? An Application for Newfoundland and Labrador Health Care Coverage must be completed by the applicant. Forms can be obtained from post-secondary institutions and via the Government Web site at www.health.gov.nl.ca/mcp/ What documents are required to obtain coverage? The applicant must supply a copy of a student work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) which meets the following criteria:
When will coverage begin and end? Coverage will begin the later of:
Coverage will end the earlier of:
What health care benefits will be covered? Health care benefits listed under the Medical Care Insured Services Regulations and the Hospital Insurance Plan Regulations will be accessible. A detailed explanation of these services can be found on the Provincial Government Web site at www.health.gov.nl.ca/mcp/. Will international students also be covered under other programs, such as the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program? No, only services listed under the Medical Care Insured Services Regulations and the Hospital Insurance Plan Regulations will be accessible for international students. Health insurance for other services (i.e. coverage for prescription drugs) is currently available for International Students to purchase through post-secondary institutions such as Memorial University. Will dependants of International Students be eligible for coverage? Dependents of the student will also be covered under MCP, provided they are living in the province and have relevant documentation to support their application (i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate and official immigration documents). Will an International student be covered while traveling outside of the province? International students will be eligible for coverage while visiting outside the province only during the period specified on their study permit provided the authorization remains valid through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Will this have any effect on MCP coverage for current beneficiaries/residents of the province? No, extending coverage to international students will not affect MCP coverage for other beneficiaries. 2007 06 05 10:30 a.m.
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