MSP: How Health Coverage Works in BC for Newcomers
When you move to British Columbia, you are not automatically covered by provincial health insurance. You need to apply for the Medical Services Plan, and there is a three-month waiting period before coverage begins. Understanding how MSP works and what to do in the meantime is one of the most important things you can do in your first weeks in BC.
What MSP Covers
MSP covers medically necessary services provided by physicians and surgeons, diagnostic services like X-rays and lab tests ordered by a physician, and some dental and oral surgery services performed in hospital.
MSP does not cover prescription drugs, routine dental care, vision care, physiotherapy, ambulance services, or most other extended health benefits. These require separate private insurance or are covered by other provincial programs for eligible groups.
The Three-Month Waiting Period
BC requires a three-month waiting period from the date you establish residency in the province before MSP coverage begins. The waiting period applies to most people, including permanent residents, returning Canadians, and temporary foreign workers with work permits of twelve months or longer.
The waiting period runs from the date you arrive in BC and establish residency, not the date you apply. This means applying as soon as possible after arrival does not reduce the waiting period, but it does ensure your coverage starts as soon as the waiting period ends.
During the waiting period, you are responsible for your own health costs. Private temporary health insurance is strongly recommended for this period. Several insurers offer plans specifically for the MSP waiting period, including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, and Manulife. Your employer may also offer group benefits that begin immediately.
Who Qualifies for MSP
To qualify for MSP, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person authorized to work or study in BC for at least six months. You must be physically present in BC, intend to make BC your primary residence, and be present in BC for at least six months in each calendar year.
Temporary foreign workers with work permits of less than six months, tourist visa holders, and most visitor visa holders do not qualify for MSP.
Refugee claimants are covered under the federal Interim Federal Health Program while their claim is being processed, not MSP.
How to Apply
Apply online through the Health Insurance BC website at hibc.gov.bc.ca. You will need your BC address, your immigration documents, and your SIN if you have one.
You can also apply by mail using the HIBC enrolment form, or in person at a Service BC location.
Apply as soon as you arrive. Even though coverage will not begin for three months, starting the application clock running immediately means your coverage starts at the earliest possible date.
After applying, you will receive a BC Services Card in the mail. This card is your proof of MSP coverage and also serves as a provincial photo ID. Bring it to every medical appointment.
MSP Premiums
As of January 2020, MSP premiums were eliminated for all BC residents. There is no monthly fee for MSP coverage. This was a significant change from the previous system where individuals and families paid monthly premiums.
Fair PharmaCare: Prescription Drug Coverage
MSP covers physician services but not prescription drugs. BC's Fair PharmaCare program covers a portion of prescription drug costs based on your net income from your previous year's tax return.
Enrollment in Fair PharmaCare is automatic once you are enrolled in MSP and have filed a BC tax return. You do not need to apply separately. The program calculates your deductible and family maximum based on your income and adjusts your coverage accordingly.
Low-income individuals and families may qualify for full PharmaCare coverage with no deductible.
Dental and Vision Coverage
MSP does not cover routine dental or vision care. Options for dental and vision coverage include employer group benefits, private insurance, and provincial programs for specific groups.
Children under 19 may qualify for free basic dental care through the BC Healthy Kids Program if their family income meets the threshold. Seniors may qualify for the BC Seniors Dental and Denture Program. The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan also provides coverage for eligible Canadians who do not have private dental insurance.
For vision care, most adults in BC need private insurance or pay out of pocket. Children may be eligible for one free eye exam per year under MSP up to age 18.
HealthLink BC
If you have a health concern and are not sure whether you need to see a doctor, you can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Registered nurses and pharmacists provide health advice by phone in multiple languages, including translation services for other languages.
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