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Updated on September 25, 2024
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Learn how newcomers to British Columbia can access health insurance through BC’s MSP). We’ll also explain the details of the British Columbia healthcare landscape, and show how to navigate the system once you’ve arrived.
One of Canada’s main draws for immigrants is its policy of universal healthcare. Everyone, from citizens to some temporary residents, is entitled to healthcare that is nearly free. Despite it being a country-wide policy, each province administers its healthcare differently.
Like many other provinces, British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan requires an application plus a waiting period before you become eligible for coverage. That’s why we usually recommend that newcomers to Canada obtain private health insurance, to cover them during the period before their MSP coverage begins.
Get started right now with a , a trusted partner of 鶹ӳý.
First things first, BC’s MSP has a wait period, which means that you are not likely to be covered for your first few months in BC. It’s up to three months, since the wait period is ‘the balance of the month in which residence in British Columbia is established, plus two months before benefits can begin.’
For individuals who are covered and who have secured a British Columbia health card, the Medical Services Plan covers the cost of medically necessary services performed by doctors, and in some cases, midwives. It also covers:
Even if you’ve been in British Columbia for decades, it can still be challenging to determine what the MSP covers, and what must be paid out of pocket. Generally, anything that is medically necessary or diagnostic is covered.
Procedures that are not medically necessary (such as most cases of wisdom teeth removal, or cosmetic nose jobs) are not covered.
The MSP may also pay a portion of some such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic services. But eligibility for these supplementary services is limited.
To use these benefits, you must apply for them separately, and prove your eligibility through requirements such as your net annual income level, First Nations status, or immigration status.
All legal residents of British Columbia are to apply for provincial healthcare. To be considered a legal resident of BC, the following criteria need to be true for you:
Additionally, the following individuals may also be eligible for British Columbia health care:
Some IEC participants may be eligible for coverage by BC’s MSP health insurance, but there are eligibility requirements that may be hard to meet (depending on your work arrangement).
To be eligible for BC’s MSP while you are on a work permit through Canada’s International Experience Canada, you must:
You will need a letter from your employer confirming the above eligibility criteria have been met or a copy of your contract to apply for MSP.
Find out more on the .
You will need to have IEC health insurance even if you may be eligible for BC’s MSP.
People who are legal residents of British Columbia on maintained status have been eligible for MSP coverage since 2022. To be eligible for MSP while on maintained status, you will need to show that you:
It is worth noting that your coverage will only extend for six months. You will need to apply for another period of coverage if your MSP enrolment ends and you are not (yet) a permanent resident of Canada.
Not eligible for BC’s MSP or in need of additional coverage while you wait to become a permanent resident? Get a , a trusted partner of 鶹ӳý.
BC has a wait period for new residents to become eligible for provincial health insurance.
Unlike other provinces where you have to wait before you become eligible to apply, British Columbia encourages newcomers to . The required coverage waiting period is then completed while your application is processing.
Applying for health insurance in British Columbia is easy, but requires eligible individuals to first obtain a Photo BC Services Card. This card, which can be combined with a driver’s license or used as a stand-alone ID card, must be obtained from an .
Quick Tip: While it’s convenient to have your BC driver’s licence and healthcare card combined, having two separate cards can help you meet your ‘two pieces of photo ID’ requirements for certain applications. This can be really helpful for newcomers who don’t have a Canadian passport or other photo ID.
Once you have your BC Services Card, the rest of the healthcare application process is easy. You can either apply , or send in your application through the mail. Completing the online form takes less than 15 minutes.
Once you have applied, your health coverage will activate when you have completed the required . For many people, the waiting period is two months, not including the month in which you became a resident. The date that you become a resident is dependent on a variety of factors, including your immigration status.
If you have extenuating circumstances, you may of the coverage waiting period.
Depending on your immigration status, it could take several months to establish residency in British Columbia, plus a further two months of the standard coverage waiting period. Being without health insurance coverage for that length of time is never a good idea.
Accidents happen, and sudden illnesses can arrive with very little warning. If you don’t have private insurance coverage during this time, you will be forced to pay the cost of treatment out of pocket. For many newcomers to Canada, this type of large and unexpected expense can easily overwhelm their finances.
Instead of leaving yourself vulnerable, invest in private insurance before you arrive in Canada. This insurance should cover you and your family during your first months in the country. 鶹ӳý has recently partnered with , where newcomers can apply and get approved in minutes. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll only pay for the insurance you need.
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