Douglas Olsen
If you are an international student planning to study in British Columbia (BC), you will need to familiarize yourself with the Canadian healthcare system. Healthcare in Canada is provided by individual provinces and territories, so the exact details of coverage vary depending on where you live and your immigration status. International students in BC are eligible for BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP), a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in BC for 6 months or longer. Applying for MSP allows you to benefit from the healthcare available to all BC residents, including basic medical care within Canada, such as physician and hospital services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for MSP | International students who are physically present in BC for at least six months in a calendar year with a valid study permit |
| MSP coverage | Basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services |
| MSP application | Online or by mail |
| MSP application processing time | 3 months |
| Temporary health insurance for international students | iMED |
| MSP fee | $75 per month |
| MSP coverage extension | Contact MSP |
| BC Fair PharmaCare plan registration | Same time as MSP application or separately |
| BC Fair PharmaCare plan coverage | Prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services |
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What You'll Learn
Enrolling in BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Upon submitting your online application, you should immediately see an option to download a PDF confirmation. Save this file for your records and submit it to your educational institution to satisfy any medical insurance requirements. You may also need to provide proof of enrolment in MSP to your educational institution, such as a PDF of your application or a letter from Health Insurance BC confirming your coverage.
There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, which includes the balance of the month in which you arrive in BC, plus two full calendar months. During this waiting period, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance, which provides basic health insurance. If you are a returning student or are otherwise ineligible for iMED, you will need to purchase private temporary health insurance.
It is important to keep your personal information up to date during the registration process and to notify Health Insurance BC if you graduate or stop studying in BC. Additionally, you may want to register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program, which can provide additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services.
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Temporary health insurance options
International students in British Columbia (BC) are required to enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) if they are living in the province for six months or longer. There is a three-month waiting period for MSP coverage to begin, and during this time, it is recommended that students have temporary private health insurance.
IMED
IMED is a temporary basic health insurance plan for new international students. It provides coverage during the three-month waiting period for MSP. iMED is also available for the full duration of the program for one-term exchange students or Visiting International Research Students (VIRS).
Global Campus Health Plan
The Global Campus Health Plan is a private temporary health insurance option that can be purchased to cover the three-month waiting period for MSP. This plan is recommended for returning international students whose iMED insurance policy has expired and who are not re-enrolled in iMED.
David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS)
David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) offers "non-student" medical insurance plan options. This may be a suitable option for part-time students, UBC employees, visiting instructors, postdoctoral fellows, or other non-student affiliates who need temporary hospital and medical coverage.
It is important to note that international students in BC are required to have basic health insurance for the duration of their studies. The above-mentioned temporary insurance options can help bridge the gap during the MSP waiting period or for specific categories of students who are not eligible for MSP.
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Required documents for MSP application
To sign up for medical insurance as an international student in British Columbia (BC), you must enrol in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP is BC's provincial health insurance plan, and anyone living in BC for six months or longer is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the monthly healthcare coverage fee.
- A valid study permit: International students in BC must have a valid study permit for at least six months of the year. This is to be submitted along with the application.
- Immigration document: You will need to upload a digital image of an immigration document, such as your study permit, to complete the application.
- Proof of enrolment: You may be asked to provide proof of enrolment in MSP, such as a PDF file confirming your online MSP application or a clear photo of an official letter from Health Insurance BC confirming your MSP coverage.
- Receipt of IRCC application: If you are applying for a new permit, you will need to provide the receipt of your IRCC application submission dated before your previous permit expired.
- International Confirmation of Graduation letter: You must provide a copy of this letter to demonstrate that you are no longer enrolled as an international student and will no longer be billed the international health fee for MSP.
- PGWP or other immigration status document: A copy of this document is required once you receive it so that your MSP can be formally extended, and you can be issued a new BC Services Card.
- Proof of previous income: If you wish to register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program, which provides additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services, you must provide proof of previous income based on taxes filed in Canada two years ago.
- Social Insurance Number (SIN): You need to provide a SIN to apply for the BC Fair PharmaCare program.
- Family members' Canadian status document: If your family members are arriving in BC at a later date, you must include photocopies of their Canadian status documents (valid for six months or more) in the application.
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Healthcare services access with a BC Services Card
If you are an international student in British Columbia, you are required by law to enrol in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) if you are living in the province for six months or longer. MSP is BC's provincial health insurance plan, which covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services.
To apply for MSP, you can submit an application online or by mail. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a letter of instruction. Take this letter and primary and secondary photo ID documents, such as your driver's license or BCID card, to an ICBC driver licensing office. You will then be issued a BC Services Card.
It is important to carry your BC Services Card with you at all times, along with a digital or paper copy of your valid study permit or work permit. Your BC Services Card will not have your photo on it unless you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In that case, you will need to submit a separate application to the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC).
In addition to MSP, it is recommended that most students register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program, which provides additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. To be eligible for PharmaCare registration, you must provide proof of your previous income based on taxes filed in Canada two years ago.
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Additional health coverage options
International students in British Columbia (BC) have several health coverage options beyond the mandatory provincial health insurance plan, the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). Here are some additional coverage options:
- Temporary health insurance: If you are a new international student, you will need temporary health insurance during the three-month waiting period for MSP coverage. iMED is a basic health insurance plan that provides coverage during this waiting period. It is also an option for one-term exchange students or Visiting International Research Students (VIRS). If you are a returning international student whose iMED insurance has expired, you may need to purchase other temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
- Extended health insurance: You may purchase extended health coverage to supplement the basic coverage offered by MSP. Many schools offer extended health insurance packages, and some institutions even require students to purchase these packages.
- Private health insurance: If you are not eligible for MSP, you must purchase private health insurance for the duration of your stay. This is also an option if you want coverage for more medical costs, as MSP does not cover all expenses, such as dental care or prescription drugs.
- BC Fair PharmaCare: This program provides additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. Registration may be required for prescription coverage through the AMS/GSS Health and Dental plan. Since coverage is based on income, you will need to provide proof of previous income based on taxes filed in Canada two years ago.
- Supplementary Benefits: If your income is low, you may be eligible for MSP Supplementary Benefits, which will pay for part of some medical services.
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Frequently asked questions
MSP stands for Medical Services Plan, which is BC's provincial health insurance plan.
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.
You can apply for MSP online or by submitting a paper application by mail. You will need to provide an immigration document such as a study permit in order to complete the application.
The MSP Health fee for international students is $75 per month.
MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. However, it does not cover all medical costs, such as dental care.
