Lori Meadows
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of British Columbia (BC) who stay in the province for six months or longer. This includes international students, who are required to have medical insurance coverage throughout their studies. While MSP premiums were discontinued in 2020, international students are charged a $75 health-care coverage fee per month. There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, during which most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | All residents of BC who stay for over six months, including international students with study permits, are eligible for MSP. |
| Cost | The MSP health fee for international students is $75 per month. |
| Coverage | MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. It does not cover dental care. |
| Waiting Period | There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. |
| Application Process | International students must apply for MSP as soon as they arrive in BC. The application can be completed online and requires proof of enrolment in MSP, such as a confirmation letter or PDF file. |
| Temporary Coverage | During the waiting period, international students are typically covered by iMED health insurance. Returning international students may need to purchase private temporary health insurance. |
| Cancellation | If students are outside of Canada for more than six months, they may need to cancel their MSP coverage. |
| Dependents | Dependent family members of study permit holders are also eligible for MSP and may be included on the same application. |
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What You'll Learn
International students in BC must enrol in MSP
International students in British Columbia (BC) must enrol in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in BC for 6 months or longer. This includes international students, who are required to have medical insurance coverage throughout their studies.
If you are a study permit holder, you must pay the plan's health-care coverage fee of \$75 per month. You will be billed by the BC government, and you can pay online. Your family members will also need to enrol in MSP and pay the fee unless they hold work permits or are visitors.
To enrol in MSP, you must complete an application form and submit it online or by mail. You will need to provide a digital image of an immigration document, such as a study permit. There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, including the balance of the month in which you arrive in BC, plus two full calendar months. To cover this waiting period, new international students are typically covered by iMED health insurance for their first three months in Canada.
Once your application is processed, you will receive an MSP card, or BC Services Card, by mail. This card indicates your coverage period and should be taken to all medical visits. You can use this card to access health care services, including most physician and hospital services. If you do not enrol in MSP, you will be responsible for paying for medical expenses independently.
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MSP costs $75 per month for international students
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of BC who stay for six months or longer. This includes international students, who are required to have medical insurance coverage throughout their studies.
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. For example, if you arrive in BC on August 25, your MSP coverage will begin on November 1. To cover this waiting period, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance for their first three months in Canada.
Once enrolled in MSP, you will receive a BC Services Card, which will be mailed to the address provided in your application. This card will indicate your coverage period and should be taken with you to all medical visits. It is important to note that MSP does not cover all medical costs, such as dental care, and you may need to purchase additional insurance from a private company.
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MSP coverage begins after a 3-month waiting period
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who resides in British Columbia (BC) for 6 months or longer. This includes international students, who are required by law to enrol in MSP if they will be living in BC for 6 months or more.
There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. This includes the balance of the month in which you arrive in BC, plus two full calendar months. For example, if you arrive in BC on August 25, your MSP coverage will begin on November 1. During this 3-month waiting period, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance, which is provided for their first 3 months in Canada. Returning international students whose iMED insurance has expired and who are not re-enrolled are advised to purchase private temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
It is important to note that you cannot apply for MSP before arriving in BC. You must apply for MSP as soon as you arrive, and you will need to provide proof of enrolment, such as a PDF confirmation of your online application or an official letter from Health Insurance BC. Your family members will also need to go through the same 3-month waiting period and should consider purchasing temporary private health insurance.
If you are an international student studying in BC for less than 6 months, you are not eligible for MSP and must ensure you have private health insurance for your entire stay.
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MSP does not cover all medical costs
In British Columbia (BC), 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. However, it's important to note that MSP does not cover all medical costs.
MSP offers coverage for essential medical treatments, but there are certain services that are not included in the plan. For example, regular dental services like cleanings and fillings are not covered by MSP, and individuals will need to pay for them out-of-pocket or use insurance unless it's an emergency dental treatment at a hospital. Similarly, prescription drugs are typically not covered by MSP, and residents may need to purchase additional insurance to access these medications.
Another area where MSP has limitations is vision care. While MSP covers eye exams for children under 19 and seniors over 65, as well as individuals with specific medical conditions, routine eye exams for adults aged 19 to 64 are generally not included unless they are deemed medically essential. Maternity and prenatal care are covered by MSP, including check-ups, ultrasounds, and home births. However, the cost of a private room is not included in MSP coverage and would require additional insurance.
It's worth noting that MSP supplementary benefits provide partial payment for certain medical services obtained in BC, such as massage therapy and chiropractic services. These benefits may also provide access to other income-based programs. Additionally, there is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, and new arrivals to BC are advised to purchase temporary health insurance, such as iMED or the Global Campus Health Plan, to cover this waiting period.
In conclusion, while MSP provides crucial coverage for basic medical care in BC, it does not cover all medical costs. Individuals may need to purchase additional insurance or pay out-of-pocket for certain services, including dental care, prescription drugs, and routine eye exams for adults. Understanding what is and isn't covered by MSP is essential for navigating the healthcare system in BC and ensuring that individuals have the necessary healthcare protection in place.
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International students must have medical insurance throughout their studies
International students in British Columbia (BC) must have medical insurance throughout their studies. The province'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, who are required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the plan's healthcare coverage fee. The fee for international students of all ages is $75 per month.
There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, including the month of arrival and the subsequent two full calendar months. To cover this waiting period, new international students are typically covered by iMED health insurance for their first 3 months in Canada. Returning international students whose iMED insurance has expired and who are not re-enrolled are advised to purchase private temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
Once enrolled in MSP, students will receive an MSP card, also known as a BC Services Card, which they must take to all medical visits. This card indicates the student's coverage period, which should match the expiration date of their status in Canada, such as their study permit. If a student requires medical care before their card arrives, they may have to pay at the time of treatment and then request reimbursement from MSP once their card has been received.
It is important to note that MSP does not cover all medical costs. For example, it does not include dental care or certain medical services such as massage therapy and chiropractic services. To cover these additional costs, students can purchase supplementary insurance from a private company.
If international students are studying in BC for less than 6 months, they are not eligible for MSP and must ensure they have private health insurance for their entire stay.
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Frequently asked questions
No, MSP is not free for international students. The MSP Health fee for international students of all ages is $75 per month.
You can apply for MSP online or by completing and sending the BC MSP enrolment form. You will need to provide proof of enrolment, such as a PDF of your application or a photo of an official letter from Health Insurance BC.
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.
Yes, MSP is mandatory for all residents of BC who stay for longer than six months, including international students with study permits.
