Boarding School Handbook 2023-24

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) OHIP is only valid after completion of a minimum 90-day residency in Ontario if you hold a Canadian passport; if your child has an OHIP card but has not completed the residency requirements, they will be required to subscribe to Destination Travel. If your child has landed immigrant status, an Ontario birth certificate or a Canadian passport and if they meet other eligibility criteria, they may apply for OHIP. By living at Havergal, your child meets the residency requirements for OHIP and the school can provide documentation of this. You should apply for OHIP immediately upon arrival in Toronto and purchase Destination Travel insurance for the interim period. This can be done on a month-to-month basis. The Health Centre Manager will enrol your child in the Destination Travel Plan. Destination Travel If there is no valid OHIP card, the school will register the student with the insurer of our choice. This registration is mandatory. Our current Destination Travel health insurance package costs approximately $850 for the 12-month period, beginning August 1. It includes office and hospital visits, a drug plan and other coverage such as lab work, x-rays and physiotherapy. Dr. Desson’s office is able to bill directly to the insurance company, thereby eliminating the necessity of filing claims for individual office visits. Details of the plan may be found at www.desttravel.com. Additional Medical Costs Not Covered by Insurance Should monies have to be spent by Havergal College in emergency or exceptional circumstances and the medical or dental costs exceed the insurance coverage provided, the parent accepts full liability for the fees incurred and will reimburse the College within 30 days of occurrence. With respect to costs that are not for emergency or exceptional situations, the parent should make arrangements for a credit or debit card that the student may use to pick up prescriptions and pay for lab tests or x-rays or other procedures as required. If the medical costs are significant and/or ongoing, the parent may make arrangements to pay the medical practitioner directly, or through the guardian/s. Food Services Students are provided with three meals each day during the week and two meals on Saturday and Sunday. A vegetarian option is always available. If a student has any food allergies or other special dietary needs, they should speak to the Health Center Manager and the Boarding Staff immediately. Additional snacks are ordered from the kitchen once a week and are available to students in the Common Room. The Food Committee meets once a month with Food Services to discuss concerns and nutrition and to make suggestions for menus and special dinners. All Boarding students are welcome to participate in this meeting.

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