Lana Oconnell
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents in the province, including international students. The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. However, it does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care, or travel. While MSP is a requirement for residents in BC, there are alternative insurance options for students who do not plan on staying in the province for longer than six months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for MSP in BC? | Anyone living in BC for 6 months or longer (including international students) is required by law to enrol in MSP. |
| Who is exempt from MSP in BC? | Students studying in BC for less than 6 months are not eligible for MSP and must have private health insurance for their entire stay. |
| How much does MSP cost in BC? | As of January 1, 2020, the health-care coverage fee is $75 per month for study permit holders. |
| What does MSP cover in BC? | The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. |
| What is not covered by MSP in BC? | MSP does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care, or travel. |
| How to apply for MSP in BC? | Apply online or by mail. Provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply. If you don’t have a SIN, apply for MSP after arriving in BC, then register for Fair PharmaCare. |
| When does MSP coverage begin in BC? | Coverage begins after a waiting period (the remainder of the month of arrival plus 2 full calendar months). |
| What to do if your BC Services Card has not arrived? | You may need to pay at the time of receiving healthcare. Keep your receipts and request reimbursement from MSP once your card arrives. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students on a valid study permit must pay the fee
- Students must pay \$75 per month for health-care coverage
- Students must apply for MSP separately if they don't have a SIN
- Students must extend MSP coverage when extending temporary residency
- Students must pay for medical expenses if not enrolled in MSP
International students on a valid study permit must pay the fee
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in BC for 6 months or longer. This includes international students on valid study permits, who are required to pay the plan's monthly healthcare coverage fee.
As of January 1, 2020, all study permit holders are charged a $75 health-care coverage fee per month. Invoices are sent directly to the individual at the address on file with MSP, and payment must be made to the British Columbia government. This fee is separate from the cost of obtaining a BC Services Card (formerly known as the "BC CareCard"), which is provided to temporary BC residents, including international students, upon arrival in the province.
International students bringing family members to BC should note that only those with valid study permits of six months or longer will be subject to the health fee. It is the responsibility of the individual student to provide accurate and up-to-date personal information to Health Insurance BC (HIBC), including their correct address.
It is recommended that international students on valid study permits also register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program, which provides additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. To register for Fair PharmaCare, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required. If a student does not yet have a SIN, they can apply for MSP separately upon arrival in BC and then register for Fair PharmaCare once they have obtained their SIN.
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Students must pay \$75 per month for health-care coverage
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents in the province, including international students. Anyone living in BC for six months or longer is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the plan's monthly healthcare coverage fee. This includes international students, who are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies.
As of January 1, 2020, all study permit holders are charged a $75 health-care coverage fee per month. This fee is payable directly to the British Columbia government. Invoices are sent to the address on file with MSP, and payment is due after receiving the invoice. Students must keep their MSP account information accurate and up-to-date, including any changes of address or name, and adding or removing dependents.
The MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. However, it does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care, or travel. Students may want to consider additional insurance to cover these costs.
It is recommended for most students to register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program, which may provide additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. Since coverage is based on income, the application requires proof of previous income based on taxes filed in Canada two years ago. Students can also register for the UBCSUO Extended Health and Dental Plan, which covers some of the costs not included in the MSP, such as prescription drugs and vision care.
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Students must apply for MSP separately if they don't have a SIN
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in BC for 6 months or longer. Applying for the BC MSP allows you to benefit from the healthcare available to all BC residents. The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. If you are not enrolled, you will have to pay for medical expenses independently.
If you are an international student, you are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of your studies. You will be issued a BC Services Card, which you should carry with you at all times. It is important to note that MSP does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care, or travel.
If you are a study permit holder, you are required to pay the plan's healthcare coverage fee. As of January 1, 2020, all study permit holders are charged a $75 healthcare coverage fee per month. If you extend your study permit or get a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must apply to extend your MSP online, otherwise, you will not be covered.
To apply for MSP, you need to provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you don't have a SIN yet, you can still apply for MSP separately as soon as you arrive in BC. Once you have your SIN, you can then register for Fair PharmaCare, which is recommended for most students as it may provide additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services.
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Students must extend MSP coverage when extending temporary residency
In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in the province for 6 months or longer. The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services.
International students at UBC with valid study permits are required to pay the health fee, regardless of income, unless they have formally opted out of provincial health coverage. Students must enrol in MSP upon arrival and maintain coverage throughout their period of residence in BC.
If you extend your study permit or get a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must apply to extend your MSP coverage online, otherwise, you will not be covered. This is because your BC MSP will end on the expiry date of your current immigration document. You can apply for an extension by submitting a paper application by mail or online. If submitting by mail, it is recommended to use a secure mailing method and include a cover letter along with other supporting documents.
It is important to keep your MSP valid by extending your MSP coverage each time you extend your temporary residency in Canada. For example, if you extend your study permit, you must apply for an extension of your MSP coverage.
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Students must pay for medical expenses if not enrolled in MSP
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents in the province, including international students. Anyone living in BC for six months or longer is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the plan's monthly healthcare coverage fee.
If you are a student in BC and do not enrol in MSP, you will be responsible for paying for medical expenses independently. This means that you will have to pay out-of-pocket for any medical services you receive, which can be costly. MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. While emergency health-care services will not be denied to anyone, regardless of their enrolment or payment status in MSP, private physicians and clinics may require pre-approved payment arrangements before providing non-emergency services.
It is important to note that MSP does not cover all medical expenses. For example, it does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care, or travel. Students may want to consider additional insurance to cover these expenses. Additionally, students should be aware that they need to provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply for MSP. If you are an international student and do not have a SIN yet, you can apply for MSP separately as soon as you arrive in BC and then register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program to enhance coverage for prescriptions.
If you are a student in BC, it is crucial to enrol in MSP to avoid paying for medical expenses independently. By enrolling in MSP, you can benefit from the health care available to all BC residents and have peace of mind knowing that your basic medical needs will be covered.
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Frequently asked questions
Anyone living in BC for six months or longer is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the plan's monthly healthcare coverage fee. This includes international students.
As of January 1, 2020, the MSP costs $75 per month for study permit holders.
MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. It does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care, or travel.
You can apply for MSP online or by mail. You will need to provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply. If you don't have a SIN, you can apply for MSP when you arrive in BC and register for Fair PharmaCare once you have your SIN.
Fair PharmaCare is a program that may provide additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. It is recommended for most students to register for this program.
