Lori Meadows
The British Columbia (BC) government Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of BC who stay for 6 months or longer. This includes international students, who are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to renew your MSP coverage as an international student.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for MSP | Residents of BC who stay for over six months, including study permit holders |
| Who is exempt from MSP | Study Abroad and Exchange students coming to study at BCIT for only one term, students completing their studies entirely online from outside of Canada |
| How to apply for MSP | Apply online or submit a paper application by mail |
| Documents required for MSP application | Immigration document such as a study permit |
| Coverage outside of BC | May be eligible for up to 3 months of coverage outside of BC |
| Maintaining MSP status | Notify Health Insurance BC of any changes in status, such as receiving a study permit extension or leaving BC for more than 6 months |
| Extending MSP coverage | Submit proof of maintained status, copy of International Confirmation of Graduation letter, and copy of PGWP or other immigration status document |
| Waiting period for MSP coverage | Up to 3 months from the date of arrival in BC |
| Temporary health insurance options during the waiting period | iMED health insurance, Global Campus Health Plan, or other private insurance plans |
| Fees | International students must pay a monthly healthcare fee of CAD 75 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria for MSP renewal
To be eligible for the Medical Services Plan (MSP) as an international student in British Columbia (BC), you must be a resident of the province for at least six months. This includes international students who are study permit holders.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has resided in Canada for at least the past 12 months, you might also be eligible for supplementary benefits. If you have questions about enrolment with Fair PharmaCare, contact MSP.
If you are on "maintained status", waiting for your post-graduation work permit application to be processed, you may request temporary MSP coverage. To do so, you must provide Health Insurance BC with the following:
- Receipt of your IRCC application submission for your new permit, dated before your study permit expiry date, to demonstrate your maintained status.
- A copy of your International Confirmation of Graduation letter to demonstrate that you are no longer enrolled as an international student.
- A copy of your PGWP or other immigration status document once you receive it so that your MSP can be formally extended.
If you are a part-time student, UBC employee, visiting instructor, postdoctoral fellow, or other non-student affiliate and need temporary hospital and medical coverage, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for information about "non-student" medical insurance.
If you will be outside of Canada for more than six months in a calendar year, contact MSP by phone to confirm your eligibility.
International Students: A Global Perspective for Everyone
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Temporary health insurance options
International students in Canada are not covered by free universal health care and must arrange for health insurance for the duration of their studies. The healthcare system in Canada is segregated, with each province individually governing its health insurance. If you purchase health insurance in one province, your member card will only be valid in that region.
If you are a new international student at UBC, you are likely to be covered by iMED health insurance for your first three months in Canada. This will cover the three-month waiting period for MSP. Returning international students whose iMED insurance policy has expired and who are not re-enrolled for iMED are advised to purchase private temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
If you are a part-time student, UBC employee, visiting instructor, postdoctoral fellow, or other non-student affiliate and need temporary health insurance, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for information about “non-student” medical insurance plan options.
If you are waiting for your MSP to be reinstated, you can get temporary basic health insurance through the Global Campus Health Plan.
If you are travelling outside of your province of study, you should consult with your health insurance provider to determine if you will be covered. If your health insurance does not cover travel, you may purchase private health insurance to cover medical expenses incurred during travel.
Pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands: Free for International Students?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Required documents for renewal
To renew your MSP as an international student, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. If you have "maintained status", you can legally stay in Canada and are eligible for MSP. Maintained status applies if you have applied for a new immigration document before your current one expires, you remain in Canada, and you will not receive a new immigration document before the old one expires.
If you are a part-time student, UBC employee, visiting instructor, postdoctoral fellow, or other non-student affiliate, you must contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for information about "non-student" medical insurance plan options.
If you are eligible, you must submit an application for renewal. The easiest way to apply is to submit an online application. If you decide to submit a paper application by mail, consider using a secure mailing method such as Canada Post Xpresspost.
The following supporting documents are required for renewal:
- A cover letter
- Photocopies of your Canadian status document (valid for 6 months or more), such as a study permit, visitor record, or work permit. If you do not have one of these documents, you can use an entry stamp in your passport as your status document.
- If you are requesting temporary coverage, you should check the MSP Temporary Coverage Sample Letter (pdf) for guidance on what to include.
International Students: Can You Get a California Real ID?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to apply for renewal
If you are an international student in British Columbia (BC), you must enrol in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) if you plan to stay in the province for six months or longer. This mandatory public health insurance plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services.
How to Apply for MSP as an International Student:
- Complete the application form: You can apply for MSP online or by submitting a paper application by mail. The online application only takes a few minutes to complete. You will need to provide personal information and upload a digital image of an immigration document, such as a study permit.
- Apply as soon as you arrive in BC: It is important to note that you cannot apply for MSP before arriving in the province. There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, so it is recommended to apply as soon as possible after your arrival.
- Consider temporary health insurance during the waiting period: During the three-month waiting period for MSP coverage, you may need temporary health insurance. New international students are often covered by iMED health insurance for their first three months in Canada. Returning international students whose iMED insurance has expired should consider purchasing private temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
- Provide proof of enrolment: Once you have enrolled in MSP, you will receive a confirmation email or letter. Keep this documentation as proof of your enrolment. International students are required to provide proof of MSP enrolment to their educational institution.
- Apply for a BC Services Card: After enrolling in MSP, you will receive a letter in the mail. Take this letter to an ICBC driver licensing office, along with two pieces of identification, to apply for your BC Services Card. This card will allow you to access healthcare services in BC.
How to Renew or Extend Your MSP Coverage:
- Maintain your status in Canada: If you are waiting for a post-graduation work permit or extending your study permit, you must maintain your status in Canada to continue your MSP coverage. This means applying for a new immigration document before your current one expires and remaining in the country.
- Notify Health Insurance BC of status changes: If your status in Canada changes, such as receiving a study permit extension or post-graduation work permit, notify Health Insurance BC. This will impact your MSP coverage and billing.
- Apply for an extension online: If you are extending your stay in Canada, you must apply to extend your MSP coverage online. Submit the required documentation, including proof of your new immigration status, to avoid a lapse in coverage.
- Consider temporary coverage options: While waiting for your MSP extension, you may request temporary MSP coverage. Provide Health Insurance BC with documentation demonstrating your maintained status and any changes to your student or immigration status.
Remember, it is essential to maintain valid health insurance coverage throughout your studies in BC. The above steps will guide you through the process of enrolling in and renewing your MSP coverage as an international student.
Understanding Tax Filing: An International Student's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Maintaining status and avoiding fees
International students in British Columbia (BC) who plan to stay for six months or longer are required by law to enrol in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). This mandatory public health insurance plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. Failure to enrol in MSP could result in being blocked from registering for courses and becoming ineligible for any International Letter of Verification.
To enrol in MSP, international students must apply as soon as they arrive in BC. The application process involves submitting the BC MSP enrolment form online or by mail, along with supporting documents such as proof of identity and immigration status. There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, during which most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance. Returning international students whose iMED insurance has expired should consider purchasing temporary health insurance plans like the Global Campus Health Plan.
It is important to note that MSP does not cover all medical costs. For example, dental care, optometry, and physiotherapy are not included in the plan. If you require additional coverage, you may purchase insurance from a private company. When visiting another province in Canada, it is recommended to check with Health Insurance BC to determine if you need extra coverage, as different provinces have their own health insurance plans with varying eligibility criteria for international students.
International Students Driving in Michigan: Is It Allowed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If you are an international student in British Columbia (BC), you must renew your MSP by providing Health Insurance BC with the following: the receipt of your IRCC application submission, a copy of your International Confirmation of Graduation letter, and a copy of your PGWP or other immigration status document.
If you forget to renew your MSP, you will be liable for any medical costs incurred during the lapse in coverage. Hospitals will charge you for service, and you will need to approach MSP to sort it out by getting your card and coverage for your treatment.
International students must pay a monthly health care fee of 75 CAD per month.
