Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC

Provides medical coverage to all eligible BC residents. Covers medically-required services by physicians and specialists (when referred by a physician), and diagnostic x-ray and laboratory services when ordered by a physician, midwife, podiatrist, or dental/oral surgeon. Covers dental and oral surgery when medically required to be performed in a hospital. Also covers eye examination costs when medically required for assessment of disease, trauma, or injury. Beneficiaries may also be eligible for supplementary benefits such as limited coverage for services of other qualified health care practitioners such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists. Eligibility criteria apply, including income verification; applications can be made online or by mail. Enrollment under the plan is mandatory. Program administered by Health Insurance BC (HIBC). For questions about the Medical Service Plan (MSP), customer service representatives from HIBC are available from 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. An automated service is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide general information about MSP benefits and services.

An individual must be a resident of BC in order to qualify for medical coverage under MSP. A resident is a person who meets all of the following conditions: must be a citizen of Canada or be lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence; must make their home in BC, and must be physically present in BC at least six months per calendar year; dependents of MSP beneficiaries are eligible for coverage if they are residents of BC. Eligible BC residents who are outside BC for vacation purposes only are allowed a total absence of up to seven months per calendar year. New residents should apply immediately upon arrival. Benefits for eligible residents begin after completion of a waiting period consisting of the balance of the month in which residence is established plus two months.

Effective April 2022, the three-month wait period for MSP coverage is waived for returning Canadians, permanent residents, and people arriving in Canada through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUEAT) program.

Effective May 1, 2022, eligible individuals residing in BC with maintained status while waiting for a subsequent work or study permit may be eligible for an initial six months to temporary coverage, with addition temporary coverage provided is applicable.

COVID-19 Update (May 11, 2023): Individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for coverage under MSP will be provided with provincially insured health care coverage for services related to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Services for unrelated conditions that are performed on non-eligible MSP patients will remain uninsured; the medical professional is responsible for determining eligibility for coverage. People whose work or study permits have expired in Canada may continue to receive temporary MSP coverage.