To submit claims, visit www.gov.bc.

ca/mspbcresidentforms Studying Outside British Columbia Hospital Benefits COLLECTION & USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION

Medical
for the Out-of-Country Claim form, which can be printed Residents who leave B.C. temporarily to attend school Hospital benefits are provided to all residents of B.C. who Personal information is collected under the authority of the Online: www.gov.bc.ca/contactmsp
and mailed with your original receipts to HIBC at the address on or university may be eligible for MSP coverage for the duration are enrolled with MSP. For information contact your local Medicare Protection Act and section 26 (a), (c) and (e) of the
the form. of studies, provided they are in full-time attendance at a By Phone:
health authority. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA)
recognized educational facility. Use our toll-free automated service 24 hours a day, 7 days
Health services provided outside Canada often cost more than

Services
For patient care quality concerns, please contact for the purposes of administration of the Medical Services a week from anywhere in North America to obtain general
the amount paid by the Ministry of Health. Sometimes the More information on eligibility while studying outside B.C. Plan. Information may be disclosed pursuant to section 33 of
difference is substantial. In addition, some items/services that 1 866 952-2448. information about PharmaCare, MSP and supplementary
is available online at www.gov.bc.ca/leavingbctemporarily. FOIPPA.
may be a benefit in B.C. are not covered outside the province. benefits. We encourage you to use this service during evenings
Permanent Move from British Columbia Ambulance Service

Plan
The Ministry of Health does not subsidize fees charged for If you have any questions about the collection and use of your and on weekends when access is most readily available. If your
ambulance service obtained outside British Columbia. It is important to contact HIBC before leaving B.C. Ambulance Service is not an insured benefit; however, personal information, please contact: question is related to your MSP coverage or of an urgent nature,
or submit a Permanent Move Outside BC form online the Province subsidizes fees for beneficiaries. Please note a customer service representative will be available to assist you
We advise you to buy additional health insurance to supplement that fees for services required while outside the province are Health Insurance BC
at www.health.gov.bc.ca/exforms/msp/7063.html. between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday, except
your basic coverage before you leave the province, even if you Chief Privacy Office
Within Canada – Benefits are provided for the balance of the not subsidized and can range from several hundred to several statutory holidays.
only plan to be away for a day. A private insurance company PO Box 9035 Stn Prov Govt
month you leave the province plus two months. Upon arrival, thousand dollars.
or travel agency can advise you about extra coverage to pay Victoria, BC V8W 9E3 Lower Mainland: 604 683-7151
for any difference in fees and can provide benefits not covered you should immediately apply to the health plan of your new For fee information visit www.bcehs.ca/about/billing/fees or call 604 683-7151 (Vancouver) Rest of B.C.: 1 800 663-7100
by MSP. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, please home province or territory. or contact BC Emergency Health Services: or 1 800 663-7100 (toll-free) By Mail:
mention this when purchasing additional insurance as most Outside Canada – Benefits are provided for the balance of the
policies will not cover treatment of that condition outside By Mail: By Phone: For prescription drugs: For MSP and supplementary
month you leave the province. LEGISLATION
British Columbia. PO Box 9676 Stn Prov Govt Victoria: 250 356-0052 PharmaCare benefits:
Cancelling Benefits Victoria BC  V8W 9P7 Toll-free: 1 800 665-7199 This brochure provides a general outline. All information PO Box 9655 Stn Prov Govt Medical Services Plan
LEAVING CANADA TO OBTAIN MEDICAL SERVICES If you will no longer be a resident, you must notify HIBC of your is subject to change in accordance with the provisions Victoria, BC  V8W 9P2 PO Box 9035 Stn Prov Govt
If you are leaving Canada to obtain medical services, date of departure, indicate the reason for cancellation, and of the Medicare Protection Act and Regulations and the Victoria, BC  V8W 9E3
the B.C. specialist must write to HIBC (see General Contact provide your new address. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) Hospital Insurance Act and Regulations. If a discrepancy exists Note: When submitting a form by mail, use the specific
Information section) and provide information regarding The program provides travel cost discounts for beneficiaries who between this brochure and the legislation, the legislation mailing address on the form.
For more information on absences or moving from
the medical necessity for a referral outside of Canada. need to travel outside their communities for physician referred will prevail.
B.C., download a copy of the Leaving B.C. pamphlet at
Non-emergency services that are undertaken without prior non-emergency specialist medical care. For more information,
www.gov.bc.ca/leavingbctemporarily. Alternatively, MSP INVOICING AND PAYMENTS
approval from MSP cannot be considered for payment. visit www.gov.bc.ca/travelassistanceprogram or phone HIBC SERVICE BC
contact HIBC or your community Service BC office. For payment of outstanding MSP premiums, contact
Travel costs and accommodation are the responsibility (see General Contact Information section).
of the patient. Additional information is available online Service BC delivers government’s information and services to Revenue Services of British Columbia at 1 877 405-4909 or
OTHER HEALTH SERVICES BENEFITS the public. Offices located throughout B.C. can provide you with visit www.gov.bc.ca/revenueservicesbc.
at www.gov.bc.ca/outofcountrymedicalbenefits. PRIVATE INSURANCE
Laboratory Services MSP forms, help you apply for coverage and /o  r supplementary
ABSENCES FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA Private insurance companies may provide coverage for services/
For information on laboratory service amounts that are not paid by the Ministry of Health. Ask your
benefits, and answer questions about your MSP account. MSP FORMS
Temporary Absences benefits under the Laboratory Services Act, Visit www.servicebc.ca or the blue pages of your telephone
employer, union or pension plan whether they administer an }} Complete and submit an application for MSP enrolment
To maintain eligibility for MSP coverage, an individual visit www.gov.bc.ca/laboratoryservices. directory to find the nearest office in your community.
extended benefits plan. online at gov.bc.ca/MSP/applyforhealthcare
must continue to meet the residency requirements (see Who Is
Eligible? section). Prescription Drugs }} Download and print paper forms at
www.hibc.gov.bc.ca
Private insurance companies may also cover persons
In some circumstances, while temporarily outside the province PharmaCare provides assistance with the purchase of many gov.bc.ca/mspbcresidentforms
who are not eligible for provincial health care benefits.
for work or vacation, individuals may retain eligibility for prescription drugs and certain other benefit items. PharmaCare }} Request forms be faxed to you by calling 250 356-0998
coverage during an “extended absence” of up to 24 consecutive does not provide out-of-province benefits. }} Contact HIBC by phone
months, once in a 60 month (five year) period. For information visit www.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare, contact your }} At a Service BC office – visit servicebc.ca for nearest office
More information on eligibility during an extended absence is local pharmacy, or contact HIBC.
available online at www.gov.bc.ca/leavingbctemporarily.
HLTH-MSP-010120
MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN (MSP) supported by a beneficiary who is the person’s parent or you left your employer, please contact HIBC (see the General In the case of a divorce, the former spouse is no longer SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFITS }} The services of counsellors or psychologists;
The Medical Services Plan pays for medically required services who stands in place of the person’s parent. Contact Information section). eligible for coverage on your account and must apply For those who qualify based on annual net income, MSP will }} Routine eye examinations for beneficiaries between
of physicians and surgeons and for dental or oral surgery when A dependent post-secondary student may include a student for separate coverage. contribute $23 per visit for a combined limit of 10 visits each the ages of 19 and 64; and
medically required to be performed in a hospital. MSP also enrolled in full-time studies at a trade school, technical school or WHEN DO BENEFITS BEGIN? calendar year for the following services, when performed in }} Chiropractic, physiotherapy, naturopathy, massage therapy,
provides coverage for other health benefits – see Additional high school. New residents or persons re-establishing residence are eligible CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS British Columbia: ** acupuncture, and non-surgical podiatry services for persons
Benefits section of brochure for details. MSP is administered by for benefits after completion of a wait period that consists of HIBC must be notified immediately of any change }} acupuncture; not receiving supplementary benefits.
Health Insurance BC (HIBC). REQUIREMENT TO ENROL/RENEW ENROLMENT the balance of the month of arrival in B.C., plus two months.
of name or address. The fastest way to update your }} chiropractic;
For more information, visit www.hibc.gov.bc.ca. Residents of B.C. are required by law to enrol themselves and Application should be made immediately after arrival. You Hospital, ambulance and laboratory services, as well as
must be in B.C. when applying. If the application is late, the account is by submitting one of the change forms }} massage therapy;
their dependents in MSP. Existing BC Services Card holders are prescriptions are covered under other Ministry of Health
effective date of benefits will be determined by HIBC. If absences online at www.gov.bc.ca/mspbcresidentforms. }} naturopathy;
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? expected to renew enrolment by the card expiry date specified programs (see Other Health Services Benefits section).
Residents of British Columbia are eligible and are required to on their BC Services Card. from Canada exceed a total of 30 days during the wait period, Account changes can be completed online with the }} physiotherapy; and
enrol themselves and their dependents with MSP. Under the eligibility for benefits may be affected. MSP Account Change form or a Group Change Request (if you }} non-surgical podiatry. OUT-OF-PROVINCE BENEFITS
Under the Medicare Protection Act, it is an offence to use another
Medicare Protection Act, a resident is defined as a person who: person’s personal health number (PHN) or knowingly allow your Benefits During the Wait Period are covered under a group plan administered by your employer, MSP will help pay for unexpected insured services you receive
union or pension office). Visit gov.bc.ca/MSP/supplementarybenefits to apply for
}} Is a citizen of Canada or is lawfully admitted to Canada PHN to be used by someone else. Contact HIBC immediately if Persons moving from other parts of Canada should arrange outside Canada and for any insured services you receive
supplementary benefits online.
for permanent residence, your PHN has been lost or if you suspect it has been misused. for coverage with their former medical plan during the wait Address changes can be completed online with the elsewhere in Canada, provided that the services are medically
}} Makes his or her home in B.C., and period. New or returning residents arriving from outside Address Change BC form or the Permanent Move Outside BC required and performed by a qualified medical doctor.
HOW TO ENROL Canada should contact a private insurance company for
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
}} Is physically present in B.C. for form. Surgical podiatry services are a benefit for all beneficiaries. Reimbursement will not exceed the amount payable had the
You must complete two steps to enrol in MSP. coverage during this period.
However, if a podiatrist is opted out, he/she may charge patients same services been performed in the province. Any excess cost
»» At least six months in a calendar year Step 1: If coverage is available through your employer,
(January 1 – December 31) or
BENEFITS PROVIDED more than is insured by MSP. Patients receiving surgical podiatry is the beneficiary’s responsibility.
union or pension plan, contact their office for an Application BC SERVICES CARD
»» A shorter prescribed period, MSP provides the following benefits: services may be responsible for operating room or surgical suite Most physicians in other Canadian provinces and territories
for Group Enrolment form. Otherwise, an Application for Your personal health number will be printed on your
Enrolment can be completed and submitted online at BC Services Card. Your BC Services Card will expire and }} Medically-required services of a physician, or of a specialist fees; surgical supplies; and service charges over and above what (except Quebec) will bill their own medical plan directly for
and includes a person who is deemed under the regulations
gov.bc.ca/MSP/applyforhealthcare, using step-by-step will need to be renewed. (such as a surgeon, anaesthetist or psychiatrist) when is insured by MSP. services provided to you if you present your valid BC Services
to be a resident, but does not include a tourist or visitor to
British Columbia. instructions. Paper forms can be found: referred by a physician; Medically required eye examinations are a benefit for all Card. When travelling in Quebec or outside Canada, you may
If you have questions about the BC Services Card, be required to pay for insured services and seek reimbursement
Certain other individuals, such as some holders of study and /or }} Online at gov.bc.ca/mspbcresidentforms – complete, sign go to www.gov.bc.ca/bcservicescard. }} Maternity care by a midwife, physician or by a specialist beneficiaries. Eye examinations for routine refractive services
and submit to HIBC; when referred by a physician; are not a benefit of MSP for patients aged 19-64. This applies to later from MSP. Claims for medical care must be submitted
work permits valid for a period of six or more months, may be
}} By phoning HIBC – see the General Contact Information services provided by both optometrists and ophthalmologists. within 90 days of the date of service and hospital claims must be
deemed to be residents. For more information on eligibility, visit: CHANGES AFFECTING COVERAGE }} Diagnostic services, including x-rays, provided at approved
www.gov.bc.ca/mspeligibility. section; or submitted within six months of the date of discharge.
Certain changes can affect your coverage; for example, diagnostic facilities when ordered by a physician, podiatrist,
}} At a Service BC office – visit servicebc.ca for the office marriage or a change in family size. If you are on a self- dental surgeon or oral surgeon; BENEFITS NOT PROVIDED BY MSP
Dependents
nearest you. administered MSP account, notify HIBC. If you are on an MSP does not provide coverage for the following:
Dependents must qualify as residents and they include }} Dental and oral surgery when medically required to be
a beneficiary’s:* If you are a new or returning resident, you are required to account administered by your employer, union or pension plan, performed in a hospital; and }} Routine physical examinations performed for reasons other
provide photocopies (do not send originals) of documents to you must notify their office.
1. Spouse, either married to, or living and cohabiting in a }} Surgical podiatry. than medical necessity;
support the legal name and Canadian citizenship or immigration Children are no longer eligible for coverage on a parent
marriage-like relationship with the beneficiary (and may be of }} Medical examinations, certificates or tests required for
status of all persons listed on your application. or guardian’s account as dependents when they:
the same gender), or life insurance, a driver’s licence, school, immigration,
Step 2: Obtain your BC Services Card by visiting an Insurance }} Marry or live and cohabit with another person employment, etc.;
2. Child, who is a minor, who does not have a spouse and who
Corporation of BC (ICBC) driver licensing office. To find an ICBC in a marriage-like relationship;
is supported by the beneficiary, or }} Cosmetic surgery for the alteration of appearance;
driver licensing office near you, please visit icbc.com.
3. Dependent post-secondary student, who is older than 18 and }} Turn 19 years of age, unless they are in full-time attendance }} Restorative or other dental work performed in a
When coverage through an employer, union or pension plan at a recognized post-secondary institution and are
younger than 25 years of age, who is in full-time attendance dental office;
ends, MSP will automatically set up a self-administered plan for
at a recognized post-secondary institution, and who is supported by the parent or guardian. Coverage can }} Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances;
you. If you have not heard from HIBC within 60 days of the date
continue to age 25 for dependent post-secondary students.
*  A beneficiary is a resident enrolled in MSP. **  Patients may be charged an additional amount if the practitioner’s fee is
higher than the amount payable by MSP.