MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN (MSP)
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a provincial health insurance program that covers the cost of medically-necessary hospital and doctor services for BC residents.
Who is eligible?
It is only for eligible B.C. residents who are either permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
Certain other individuals, such as some holders of Study and/or Work Permits which are issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and are valid for a period of six or more months — may be deemed residents and therefore be eligible to the MSP.
BC Residency Requirements:
-
Must be a citizen of Canada or lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence or hold a work/study visa with the intention of residing in Canada
-
Must have a home address in BC
-
Must be in BC at least 6 months a calendar year (if you leave Canada for more than 6 months, you will need to re-apply for MSP)
-
Cannot be under a tourist/visitor visa in BC.
What type of identification is required for application?
Accepted ID’s for:
1. Canadian Citizens: Canadian Birth certificate, Canadian Citizenship card, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Passport.
2. Permanent Residents: Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
3. Temporary Document Holders: Work Permit, Study Permit, or Working holiday permit (with letter of employment).
When to apply?
All residents of B.C. must register with MSP, you should register as soon as you arrive.
If you don’t apply to MSP, you won’t have medical coverage. Medical costs can be very high in BC so it is advised that you should buy private medical insurance for this time. Not being covered by MSP will mean that any doctor visits, prescriptions or medical procedures will require payments.
How to register for MSP?
1. Online - The application for MSP takes about 15 minutes to complete using this form here. Prior to starting your application, please make sure that you have digital uploads of documents that will support your name and immigration status of all those applying with you.
2. Apply by Mail - You can apply through mail using the paper application form. To download the application form, use this link.
Note 📝
To be eligible for coverage with British Columbia’s health care plans, your spouse/child must be a resident of this province.
What is covered/not covered my MSP?
MSP pays for basic, medically required health costs - some doctor visits, some medical tests, and treatments. However, MSP does not provide coverage for the following:
services that are deemed to be not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery dental services, except as outlined under benefits; routine eye examinations for persons 19 to 64 years of age; eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances; prescription drugs (see PharmaCare); acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry services (except for MSP beneficiaries receiving supplementary benefits); preventive services and screening tests not supported by evidence of medical effectiveness (for example, routine annual “complete” physical examinations, whole body CT scans, prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests); services of counsellors or psychologists; medical examinations, certificates or tests required for: driving a motor vehicle employment life insurance school or university recreational and sporting activities immigration purposes Note 📝
As of January 2020, MSP no longer requires a premium monthly fee. MSP coverage extends to those on work visas as well, ensuring they receive necessary medical care. However, foreign students are required to pay for their health insurance separately.
Suggested Prompts
How might changes in immigration policies affect a person’s eligibility for MSP in BC?
In what ways could the MSP coverage impact the overall healthcare access and outcomes for residents?
What are the potential challenges or barriers for newcomers in understanding and applying for MSP, and how can they be addressed?
Module Comments 0 Analytics Settings
Introduction & Onboarding (Pre-Program)
MODULE
Welcome to NexGen - Custom International Acceleration Program
MODULE
What is Launch?
MODULE
The Launch Team
MODULE
Important: Book Your Compliance & Expectations Call
Resources
MODULE
What to Expect
TASK
Join Launch’s Slack Community
RESOURCE
Disco
RESOURCE
LaunchHub
RESOURCE
LaunchPad Calendar
MODULE
Topical Modules
MODULE
Payment Support
RESOURCE
Main Start-up Visa Program Website
RESOURCE
Get Connected to Our Network
Timeline & Catch Up Calls
MODULE
NextGen - Custom Timeline
MODULE
Company Milestones
MODULE
Catchup and Feedback on Deliverables and Updates
MODULE
NexGen Deliverables
The Startup Visa Immigration Process
MODULE
Immigration - Workshop & Office Hours
MODULE
Immigration Webinar Slides
Incorporation Process
MODULE
Incorporation - Workshop
MODULE
Incorporation Webinar Slides
MODULE
Hire an Incorporation Lawyer
NexGen - Monthly Company Update
MODULE
Important: Monthly Company Update
July Programming
DELIVERABLE
Team Member Chart
DELIVERABLE
Incorporation Certificate
DELIVERABLE
Capitalization Table
DELIVERABLE
Proof of Funds
DELIVERABLE
Monthly Company Update
August Programming
DELIVERABLE
Company Description
DELIVERABLE
Lean Canvas
DELIVERABLE
Pitch Deck
DELIVERABLE
Monthly Company Update
September Programming
DELIVERABLE
Due Dilligence
DELIVERABLE
Immigration Language Test
DELIVERABLE
Immigration Medical Exam
DELIVERABLE
Letter of Support Request Form
DELIVERABLE
Monthly Company Update
October Programming
DELIVERABLE
Immigration Deliverable: IMM Form 5475
DELIVERABLE
Final Documents Submission
DELIVERABLE
Permanent Residency and Work Permit Submission Dates
DELIVERABLE
Monthly Company Update
MODULE
Thanks for Submitting Your Deliverables!
Important - Monthly Company Update
DELIVERABLE
Monthly Company Update
Wrap Up & Next Steps
MODULE
Congratulations!
MODULE
Next Steps
Resources: Lifestyle Module
MODULE
Lifestyle Module
MODULE
Workshop: Housing and Real Estate
MODULE
Housing: Choosing Where to Live in Vancouver
MODULE
Housing: Choosing Where to Live Around Vancouver
MODULE
Housing: Accommodation and Rental
MODULE
Bank Account: Opening a Bank Account in Canada
MODULE
Education: Childcare
MODULE
Education: Schooling System in Canada
MODULE
Education: Types of Education Available
MODULE
Transportation: Drivers Licence
MODULE
Transportation: Ride-Sharing
MODULE
Transportation: Public Transportation
MODULE
Government Support: Spouses
MODULE
Government Support: Dependents and Children
MODULE
Health Care: The Health Care System in British Columbia
MODULE
Health Care: BC Services Card
MODULE
Health Care: Medical Services Plan (MSP)
MODULE
Health Care: Pharmacare
MODULE
Employment for Spouses and Dependents: Workshop with Pat Chaisang of Isempower
MODULE
Employment for Spouses and Dependents: Resume and Interviews
MODULE
Employment for Spouses and Dependents: Jobs Portal
MODULE
Employment for Spouses and Dependents: CO-OP
MODULE
Employment for Spouses and Dependents: Transferring Credentials to Canadian Employment
MODULE
Employment for Spouses and Dependents: Registering for SIN Number
MODULE
Lifestyle: Community
MODULE
Vancouver Festivals
MODULE
Lifestyle: Telecommunication and Internet
MODULE
Lifestyle: Groceries and General Store
Resources: Non-Dilutive Sources of Funding in Canada
Resources: Fundraising in North America
NexGen - Offboarding