MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN (MSP)
The Medical Services Plan pays for medically required services of physicians and surgeons and for dental or oral surgery when medically required to be performed in a hospital. MSP also provides coverage for other health benefits. (For details, see Additional Benefits below).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Residents of British Columbia are eligible and are required to enroll themselves and their dependents with MSP. Under the Medicare Protection Act, a resident is defined as a person who meets the following conditions:

is a citizen of Canada or is lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence, makes his or her home in BC, and is physically present in BC at least 6 months in a calendar year.

Certain other groups, such as International Students, are eligible as residents but tourists or visitors to BC are not.
* A calendar year runs from January 1 to December 31.
Click here for more International Student Information

Dependents
Dependents must qualify as residents and include:

a spouse (either married or living in a marriage-like relationship) or an unmarried child or legal ward, supported by the beneficiary, and who is under 19, or who is under 52 and in full-time attendance at a school or university.

REQUIREMENT TO ENROLL
Residents of BC are required, by law, to enroll themselves and their dependents with MSP. Benefits for active members of the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces are a federal responsibility; therefore, these members are ineligible for provincial health care benefits and exempt from enrolling.

HOW TO ENROLL
If coverage is available through your employer, union or pension plan, contact their office for an application form. Otherwise, an application form can be obtained from MSP or any Government Agent/BC Access Centre. You will be asked to provide photocopies of documents to support the legal name and Canadian citizenship or immigration status of all persons listed on your application.

When coverage through an employer, union or pension plan ends, or coverage is no longer available under a parent or spouse's account, MSP must be contacted promptly to arrange for the continued payment of premiums. A resident who has failed to apply may, on enrollment, owe retroactive premiums.

WHEN DO BENEFITS BEGIN?
New residents or persons re-establishing residence are eligible for benefits after completion of a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month of arrival in BC plus two months. If absences from Canada exceed a total of 30 days during the waiting period, eligibility for benefits may be affected. Application should be made immediately after arrival rather than at the end of the waiting period. If late application is made, the effective date of benefits will be determined by MSP and may result in premiums being charged retroactively.

Healthy Kids Program
This program extends basic dental and vision care to children in low - and moderate-income families. Click here for more information.

Applicant and Spouse Arrive Separately
When a family moves to BC from another part of Canada, and the applicant and spouse arrive separately, the waiting period for the family begins on the later date of arrival.

Benefits During the Waiting Period
Persons moving from other parts of Canada should arrange for coverage with their former medical plan during the waiting period. New or returning residents arriving from outside Canada should contact a private insurance company for coverage during this period.

PREMIUMS
Premium rates vary according to family size. Beneficiaries may pay premiums either directly to MSP or through payroll or pension deduction.
Assistance with the payment of premiums is available to those in financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or holders of permanent resident status (landed immigrants) who have held that status and who have been resident in Canada for the past 12 consecutive months. For more information on premiums and premium assistance, contact MSP or any Government Agency/BC Access Centre.
If required premiums are not paid, the outstanding amount increases each month. Premiums that have not been paid during a period in which a beneficiary has been enrolled are a debt owed to MSP and are recoverable by the Ministry of Health.
A person who is no longer eligible for benefits (a non-resident) must notify MSP of the date of departure from BC, indicate the reason for cancellation and provide his/her new address. Failure to remit premiums does not constitute notification to cancel benefits.

CHANGES AFFECTING COVERAGE
Certain changes can affect your coverage; for example, marriage, birth of a child, or a change in family size. If premiums are paid through your employer, union or pension plan you must notify our office.
Children are no longer eligible for coverage as dependents when they:

marry or live in a marriage-like relationship, or start full-time employment, or turn 19. However, coverage can continue to age 25 for dependents who are full-time students. The dependents student status must be confirmed each year to ensure continuation of coverage. In the case of a divorce, the former spouse is no longer eligible for coverage as a dependent and must apply for separate coverage.

CARECARDS
A CareCard with a lifetime Personal Health Number (PHN) is issued to each person who enrolls with MSP. The CareCard identifies the card holder as someone who may access BC health care services; hence it can only be used by the person to whom it has been issued. Using a PHN other than the one issued to you or allowing someone to use your PHN to obtain benefits is an offense under the Medicare Protection Act.
It is best to carry your CareCard at all times so that it is available for presentation whenever health care services are required. A spouse, guardian or other responsible adult should look after the CareCard of anyone unable to do so, and ensure the card's availability as needed.
There is no fee for the card issued when a person first enrolls or for the first gold CareCard issued to a senior.

CareCards for Seniors
A gold CareCard is issued automatically to all beneficiaries of the Medical Services Plan several weeks before they turn 65. This card can be used on the date the holder turns 65, to obtain prescription drugs at any BC pharmacy. For information about prescription drug benefits, please ask your pharmacist or contact Pharmacare.

BENEFITS
MSP provides the following benefits:

medically required services of a physician, or of a specialist (such as a surgeon, anaesthetist or psychiatrist) when referred by a physician; maternity care by a physician, or by a specialist when referred by a physician; diagnostic X-ray and laboratory services when ordered by a physician, podiatrist, dental surgeon or oral surgeon; dental and oral surgery when medically required to be performed in a hospital.

CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS MSP must be notified immediately of any change of name or address. See the bottom of this page for MSP's addresses and telephone numbers.

SERVICES NOT COVERED BY MSP
MSP does not provide coverage for the following:

routine physical examinations performed for reasons other than medical necessity; medical examinations, certificates or tests required for life insurance, a driver's licence, school, immigration, employment, etc.; "cosmetic" surgery for the alteration of appearance; restorative or other dental work performed in a dental office; eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances; the services of counsellors or psychologists; eye examinations between ages 19 - 64; massage therapist; chiropractor, naturopaths or physical therapist. Hospital and ambulance services are covered under other Ministry of Health programs (please see below).

OUT-OF-PROVINCE BENEFITS
MSP will help to pay for unexpected medical services you receive anywhere in the world, provided that the services are medically required and are normally covered by MSP. Please note that reimbursement will not exceed the amount payable had the same services been performed in BC. Any excess cost is the beneficiary's responsibility.
Most physicians in other Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec) will bill their own medical plan directly for services provided to you, if you present your valid BC CareCard.
When traveling in Quebec or outside Canada, you will probably be required to pay for insured services and seek reimbursement later from MSP. Claims for medical care must be submitted within 90 days of the date of service and hospital claims must be submitted within six months of the date of discharge.
Health services provided outside Canada often cost more than the amount paid by the Ministry of Health. Sometimes the difference is substantial; for example, the amount we pay for emergency inpatient hospital care will not exceed $75 (Canadian) a day for adults. The average cost for a hospital stay in the United States often exceeds $1,000 (US) a day and can be as high as $10,000 a day for intensive care.
In addition, some items/services that may be a benefit in BC are not covered outside the province; for example prescription drugs, and non-physician services such as chiropractic services and physical therapy. Further, the Ministry of Health does not subsidize fees charged for ambulance service obtained outside BC.
We advise you to buy additional health insurance to supplement your basic coverage before you leave the province, regardless of whether you'll be in another part of Canada or outside the country - even if you only plan to be away for a day.

ABSENCES FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA

Temporary Absences
If you routinely spend time outside BC or plan to leave for two or more months, you should contact MSP before leaving.
Residents who spend part of every year outside British Columbia must be physically present in Canada at least six months in a calendar year (January 1 to December 31) and continue to maintain their home in BC. However, in some circumstances residents may be eligible to receive benefits for up to 12 months while temporarily outside the province. Effective January 1, 1998, approval is limited to once in five years for absences that exceed six months in a calendar year.

Studying Outside British Columbia
Residents who leave BC temporarily to attend school or university may be eligible for benefits provided they are in full-time attendance at an accredited educational facility, and are enrolled in a program which leads to a degree or certificate recognized in Canada. Provincial health care benefits may be available for the duration of studies, if attending school within Canada. If attending school outside Canada, benefits may be available for up to five years (plus one month, if required, for traveling home).
Beneficiaries who have been studying outside BC for more than 12 months must return to the province by the end of the month following the month in which studies are completed.
Contact MSP before leaving.

Permanent Move from British Columbia
Within Canada - Benefits are provided for the balance of the month you leave the province plus two months. If required, benefits may be extended for up to three extra months to cover you while in transit. Upon arrival, you should immediately apply to the health plan of your new home province or territory.
Contact MSP before leaving.
Outside Canada - Benefits are provided for the balance of the month you leave the province.
Contact MSP before leaving.

Cancelling Benefits
If you will no longer be a resident, you must notify MSP of your date of departure, indicate the reason for cancellation, and provide your new address; otherwise, premium billing may continue. Failure to remit premiums does not constitute notification to cancel benefits.

OTHER MINISTRY OF HEALTH BENEFITS

Prescription Drugs
Pharmacare provides assistance with the purchase of many prescription drugs and certain other benefit items. Please note that Pharmacare does not provide out-of-province benefits.
For information contact your pharmacy or:

Pharmacare PO Box 9655 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC, V8W 9P2

Telephone Vancouver: (604) 682-6849 Victoria: (250) 952-2866 Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-554-0250

Hospital Benefits
Hospital benefits are provided to all residents of BC who are enrolled with the Ministry of Health, through MSP. There is no charge for acute care, in-patient or out-patient services received in the province. However, the patient may be charged for semi-private or private room costs. Payment of hospital charges outside Canada will not exceed $75 (Canadian) a day.

Provincial Programs PO Box 9690 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC, V8W 9P8

Telephone Vancouver: (604) 669-4211 Victoria: (250) 952-1334

Ambulance Service
Ambulance Service is not an insured benefit; however, the Province of British Columbia subsidizes fees for beneficiaries. Please note that fees for services required while outside the province are not subsidized and can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.