Healthcare
B.C. Medical Services Plan
The Government of British Columbia has a health insurance plan called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP pays for most health costs—for example, doctors, most medical tests, and treatments. Anyone living in British Columbia for six months or longer (including international students) is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the plan’s premiums.
How do I register for MSP?
You should register for medical insurance as soon as you arrive in Vancouver. All residents must register with the Medical Services Plan (MSP). Once you apply, it may take up to three months before you can access MSP. It is recommended that you buy private medical insurance for that period as medical expenses can be expensive.
To learn more and register for MSP, visit the Ministry of Health website or call Health Insurance BC at
1-800- 663-7100 FREE.
Why do I need it?
MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. In most cases, you will not have to pay at the time you seek medical care when you show your BC Services Card. MSP does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care (such as eye examinations or corrective lenses), or travel. For a full list of your medical and health care benefits visit the MSP website.
When do I need it?
You must apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in Vancouver. There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins: this is the rest of the month in which you arrive in British Columbia, plus two full calendar months. For example, if you arrive in British Columbia on April 25th, you will be eligible for MSP on July 1st.
What happens after I register?
When your MSP coverage begins, you will get a BC Services Card. Each card has the person’s name and a personal health number on it. Sign your card and always take it with you when you go to a doctor, clinic or hospital. You will also need your BC Services Card for prescriptions.
How much does it cost?
Effective January 1, 2015: MSP costs $72 per month for one person, $130.50 per month for a family of two, and $144 per month for a family of three or more. Please note, the price is subject to change. Check the MSP website for the most up to date prices.
Remember to include photocopies of your Canadian status document (e.g., a study permit, visitor record, or work permit) valid for more than 6 months in the application. Some visitors will have only an entry stamp in their passports; photocopy this as their status document.
After you get MSP
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MSP will send you an invoice in the mail every month. You need to start making payments after receiving the invoice.
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Remember to tell MSP if you change your address, change your name, leave British Columbia permanently, or need to add/remove dependents to or from your coverage (e.g. you get married, divorced, have a common-law partner, or have children). See the “Account Change” form.
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Remember to keep your MSP valid by renewing your MSP coverage each time you extend your temporary residency in Canada (for example, when you extend your study permit or get a post-graduation work permit).
Generally, your BC Services Card has the same expiry date as your status in Canada, such as the expiry date of your study permit or post-graduation work permit. If you have to extend your immigration documents, make sure you extend your MSP coverage as well.
If you’re leaving British Columbia for a few months due to travel plans, you will continue being billed for your MSP payments. You have the option to put a hold on (“suspend”) your MSP account temporarily while you are traveling
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Call MSP and ask to talk to an Enrolment Specialist to temporarily suspend your account without paying while you travel. Tell MSP your departure and return date. During the temporary hold you will not be covered and you will not be charged.
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After returning to Vancouver, you must call to reactivate your MSP account
Emergencies
Dial 9-1-1 right away if there is a serious medical emergency.
If you need an ambulance to take you to the hospital, you should call 911 or the emergency number in your area. The ambulance will take you to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. You will get a bill later, since ambulances are not covered under MSP. Ambulances can be covered under private or other insurance.
The Emergency Department of a hospital can deal with emergency and non-emergency health problems. You can visit the Emergency Department without having an appointment.
Find a Doctor
There are two kinds of doctors in B.C.:
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General practitioners (family doctors)
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Specialists
General practitioners (family doctors)
Family doctors (general practitioners or G.P.s) take care of most medical problems. They can also refer you to a specialist, who is an expert about particular health problems. You should see your family doctor first, who will then refer you to a specialist if you need one.
To find a family doctor, visit the website for the College of Physicians and Surgeons to find a list of doctors who are taking new patients.
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College of Physicians and Surgeons: Find a Physician
Walk-in Clinics
Most cities and towns in B.C. have local walk-in clinics. You don’t need an appointment, or a family doctor to go to a walk-in clinic. Many are open in the evening and on weekends. To find a walk-in clinic near you, check your local yellow pages, or search on Google.
HealthLink BC
HealthLink BC is a service that provides free, non-emergency health information. You can get help and information any time of the day or night, every day of the year. Call HealthLink BC to learn about health topics, check your symptoms, and find the services you need. They can help you or your family member in more than 130 languages.
To reach HealthLinkBC, just dial 8-1-1 on your phone.
HealthLink Online
You can find information in English on over 5,000 health topics and on 5,000 health services. You can check your symptoms, read about health topics, and find the help and services you need close to where you live. You can also find information about prescription drugs and other medications.
Important Resources
International Student Insurance
College of Physicians and Surgeons