Janice Lozano
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of British Columbia (BC) in Canada who live in the province for 6 months or longer. This includes international students, who are required to pay a monthly fee of $75 per month. There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, during which international students must obtain private medical insurance to cover any medical emergencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | Yes, for international students living in British Columbia (BC) with a valid study permit for at least 6 months |
| Waiting period | 3 months |
| Coverage | Basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services |
| Cost | $75 per month per family member |
| Opt-out | Yes, by completing and signing an Election to Opt Out Statement to the Ministry of Health annually |
| Temporary health insurance during the waiting period | iMED, Global Campus Health Plan, Guard.Me |
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What You'll Learn
- International students in British Columbia (BC) are required by law to enrol in MSP if they live in BC for 6 months or longer
- There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins
- International students must obtain private medical insurance to cover the MSP waiting period
- International students have to pay a monthly health fee of $75 to contribute to and benefit from BC's health-care coverage
- International students must provide proof of MSP enrolment to avoid being blocked from registering for courses
International students in British Columbia (BC) are required by law to enrol in MSP if they live in BC for 6 months or longer
International students in British Columbia (BC) are required by law to enrol in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) if they live in the province for 6 months or longer. The MSP is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of BC, including international students. It is important for international students to have health insurance to benefit from the healthcare available to all BC residents.
The MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. It is important to note that there is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. During this time, international students must obtain private medical insurance to cover any medical emergencies. This can be done through plans such as iMED health insurance or the Guard.Me More Enhanced health insurance plan.
Once enrolled in MSP, international students will be invoiced for a health fee. The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee of $75 charged to all international students studying in BC on a valid study permit for at least 6 months. This fee contributes to the sustainability of BC's healthcare system and ensures that international students have access to necessary medical services.
To enrol in MSP, international students must provide a copy of their status in Canada, such as their study permit, and proof of a residential address. It is important for international students to maintain their MSP coverage throughout their studies, as failure to do so may result in issues with course registration and eligibility for verification letters. Overall, by enrolling in MSP, international students in BC can ensure that they have access to the necessary healthcare services during their time in the province.
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There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins
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. It covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services.
To cover the 3-month waiting period for MSP, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance for their first 3 months in Canada. Returning international students whose iMED insurance policy has already expired and are not re-enrolled for iMED are advised to purchase private temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan.
If you are absent from BC for more than 6 months, you may need to re-apply when you return to the province and go through the 3-month waiting period again. Be sure to get temporary health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan, for your waiting period.
It is important to note that international students studying on a valid study permit for at least 6 months of the year in British Columbia are required to pay a health fee to contribute to and benefit from BC's health-care coverage. This fee is mandatory for all international students and ensures their access to necessary medical services.
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International students must obtain private medical insurance to cover the MSP waiting period
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of BC who live in the province for 6 months or longer. This includes international students, who are required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the health-care coverage fee.
There is, however, a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. This includes the balance of the month in which the student arrives in BC, plus two full calendar months. For instance, if an international student arrives in BC on August 25, they will be eligible for MSP coverage starting on November 1. To cover this 3-month waiting period, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance for their first 3 months in Canada.
Returning international students whose iMED insurance policy has expired and who are not re-enrolled for iMED are advised to obtain private temporary health insurance to cover the MSP waiting period. This is also the case for family members of international students, who will need to purchase a temporary private health insurance plan such as iMED or the Global Campus Health Plan.
Private medical insurance covers emergency medical care, including ambulance services, hospital treatment, doctor's appointments, prescription medicine, and emergency dental services.
It is important to note that international students must provide proof of MSP enrolment to avoid being blocked from registering for courses at their educational institution. Additionally, international students who do not have their MSP card may be charged for medical services and will need to approach MSP to sort out coverage and reimbursement.
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International students have to pay a monthly health fee of $75 to contribute to and benefit from BC's health-care coverage
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. It is an important part of benefiting 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.
International students who are enrolled in the MSP with a study permit valid for six months or longer will be invoiced for the health fee. The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee of $75 charged to all international students studying in British Columbia on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year. This includes K-12 and post-secondary international students. The ISHF ensures that international students both contribute to and benefit from BC's publicly funded health-care system. The ISHF is an individual-based fee and applies to each family member enrolled in the MSP who possesses a valid study permit, regardless of family size, income, or secondary immigration status.
International students are only able to enrol in MSP after they arrive in Canada and are able to provide a copy of their status in Canada (a copy of their study permit) and proof of a residential address. There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins: this is the balance of the month in which the student arrives in BC, plus two full calendar months. To cover the 3-month waiting period for MSP, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance for their first 3 months in Canada. 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.
Students who choose not to participate in BC's provincial health-care plan must complete and sign an Election to Opt Out Statement to the Ministry of Health annually. Only adult international students who formally opt out of provincial health coverage through MSP are exempt from paying the health fee.
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International students must provide proof of MSP enrolment to avoid being blocked from registering for courses
The British Columbia (BC) government's Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for all residents of BC who live there for 6 months or longer. This includes international students, who are required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the health-care coverage fee.
There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins, so international students must obtain private medical insurance to cover the waiting period. For instance, at UBC, most new international students are covered by iMED health insurance for their first 3 months in Canada, while at VCC, new international students are enrolled in the guard.me More Enhanced health insurance plan for their initial 3 months.
To enrol in MSP, international students must provide a copy of their status in Canada (a copy of their study permit) and proof of a residential address. They will then receive a BC Services Card, which is a government-issued ID with their name and Personal Health Number, required to use MSP benefits.
International students enrolled in the MSP with a valid study permit for 6 months or longer will be invoiced for the health fee, which is $75 per month. This fee supports the sustainability of BC's health-care system and ensures access to necessary medical services for all residents, including international students.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, MSP is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in British Columbia for 6 months or longer. International students are required to have medical insurance coverage throughout their studies.
The MSP health fee for international students of all ages is $75 per month.
The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services, some medical exams, and surgeries.
