Health and Wellness
Eligible (external link) residents of Ontario have access to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) (external link) , which provides coverage for health services such as:
- appointments with your family doctor (external link)
- visits to walk-in clinics and some other health care providers
- visits to an emergency room
- medical tests and surgeries
It can take up to three months for your OHIP coverage to begin after you’ve been approved unless you qualify for immediate coverage.
To apply for OHIP, you must visit any Service Ontario Centre (external link) as soon as possible after entering Canada. You can drop in, or book an appointment (external link) . You will need to have a number of documents (external link) with you to prove your eligibility for OHIP. Please refer to the Service Ontario website for a list of required documents and the OHIP application form (external link) or call the Service Ontario helpline at 1-888-376-5197.
The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) (external link) is a mandatory, comprehensive health insurance plan for international non-residents working at Toronto Metropolitan University including faculty, staff, visitors and their dependents who are staying longer than 3 months. It is also mandatory for Canadians (and dependents) while awaiting provincial health coverage under OHIP.
UHIP provides members and their eligible dependents basic medical coverage similar to what Ontario residents receive under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). It protects you and your dependants against significant medical expenses in case of illness or injury. UHIP is mandatory unless you are provided an exemption from the insurance company, Sun Life Insurance. You can be exempted from UHIP if you have coverage from a Pre-Approved Plan that has been assessed by Sun Life. You are required to enroll in UHIP while awaiting Sun Life’s decision regarding an exemption.
UHIP coverage can be extended to your eligible dependents (i.e. spouse, common-law partner, and children). In fact, if your dependents accompany you while you work at TMU, their UHIP coverage is mandatory. However, in order for your dependents to be eligible for UHIP, you as our TMU employee or visiting scholar must have been covered by UHIP prior to becoming eligible for OHIP. If you were never covered by UHIP, your dependents will not be eligible for UHIP and therefore you are required to purchase a private health care plan while awaiting provincial health coverage (OHIP).
The cost of UHIP is dependent on the number of people you are enrolling and the duration of coverage. Toronto Metropolitan pays the premium rates for up to 18 months (if required) for TMU employees covered by a TMU group benefit plan as identified in your terms of employment. After 18 months, if UHIP is still required, the UHIP premiums are shared on a 50/50 basis. Visiting Scholars, Visiting Research Students and employees not covered by a TMU group benefit plan are responsible for the full UHIP premium costs.
Prescription drugs and routine dental care are not covered under UHIP but may be covered by a TMU group benefit plan. Your TMU group benefit plan is separate from your UHIP coverage. Toronto Metropolitan University offers this insurance depending on the terms of your employment contract. Supplementary health insurance plans are not available to visiting scholars.
If your visit is less than three (3) months, you are required to obtain private comprehensive health insurance for your stay in Canada.
To find a private health insurance company, you can use the OmbudService Insurance Finder (external link) or look online
Contact one of the Pension & Benefits Administrators in the Pension & Benefits team
Explore benefits based on your employee group below:
Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA)
The below benefits information is for members of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA).
Health benefits
TMU pays 100% of the premiums for Extended Health, Dental, Life Insurance and Long Term Disability coverage. Coverage highlights include:
- Prescription drugs reimbursed at 100%
- $5,000 annual coverage for psychological services
- $1,000 for vision care expenses every 2 years
- 20 visits per year for paramedical services
- Unlimited physiotherapy
- Out of country emergency medical coverage - $1m lifetime maximum
- 100% coverage for hospital stays in Canada
- $10,000 annual/$50,000 lifetime gender affirmation surgery
Dental
- Preventive and restorative services are eligible for 100% reimbursement based on the current Ontario General Practitioner Dental Fee Guide.
- Major restorative services are eligible for 90% reimbursement.
- Orthodontic procedures and comprehensive orthodontic services are eligible for 90% reimbursement.
Life Insurance
- TMU-paid Basic Life Insurance and Business Travel Accident is an automatic benefit for all TFA members
- Basic Life Insurance is 2 times the annual salary (maximum is $500,000)
- Supplemental Life Insurance at an additional 2 times the annual salary [maximum is $500,000]. Employee pays 30% of the cost.
- Voluntary Accident Insurance to protect you and your family’s income, and provide support and care in the event that you are severely injured as a result of an accident is optional and available for purchase to TFA employees with benefits.
Employee and Family Assistance Program
- The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary support service available to employees with benefits and their dependents. Support is available on topics such as nutrition, financial and legal clarity, workplace and personal challenges and more.
Additional perks
- Discounted membership rates to TMU Recreation, including for dependents of 18 years of age and older.
- Access to the on-campus medical centre.
- A confidential medical leave and accommodation process, and paid medical leaves, coordinated through Workplace Wellbeing Services in Human Resources.
- Telehealth Ontario (external link) - A free, confidential telephone service for general health advice and information from a Registered Nurse. They can assess your symptoms and help you decide your best first step. The service is offered in English and French, with translation support for other languages. Click on the link above or call 1 (866) 797-0000 (toll-free).
- Doctor Search service - Use the Doctor Search service of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (external link) website to find a doctor in your area.
- Find a Dentist - To find a dentist in your area, use the Find a Dentist (external link) service of the Ontario Dental Association.
- Health Clinics - For information on health clinics, programs, vaccinations, and live chats, visit the City of Toronto website (external link) .
- Major hospitals - There are also a number of (PDF file) major hospitals (external link) in the city. Also see information about What you might not know about hospital emergency room visits (external link) .
- Wellbeing at Work - Wellbeing at Work is a team committed to strengthening Toronto Metropolitan University as a healthy, diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace.
- Staff and Faculty Wellbeing Lounge - Located in POD 156, the Ahnoowehpeekahmik: Staff and faculty wellbeing lounge provides space to connect, socialize and eat while providing the opportunity to rejuvenate and rest.
- Wellbeing Workshops - Designed to educate, refresh and renew. Topics include parenting, building resilience, relaxation techniques and more.
- Take a break - Explore ways to take a break at work and rejuvenate.
- Employee & Family Assistance Program - Explore a variety of confidential resources to help support both your work and personal wellbeing.
- The Medical Centre - Open to all members of the TMU community. You can make an appointment by calling (416) 979-5070.
- Community Safety and Security - Information and resources for TMU community members. To connect with Community Safety and Security 24/7, you can externally call (416) 979-5040 or via internal phones 5040. You can also email security@torontomu.ca. In addition to emergency responses, they also offer a wide variety of services including, WalkSafe Program, Training & Workshops and self tips and guidelines.