Medical Insurance

Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the provincial healthcare provider of British Columbia. All BC residents – including Temporary Residents such as international students-are required to have and maintain valid medical insurance coverage. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) insures medically-required services provided by physicians. This includes supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures.

Read the summary of benefits

Learn about premiums (cost)

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada

1. Residents of British Columbia are required to have coverage under the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
2. Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents moving to BC from another Canadian Province or Territory must notify the Provincial Health Plan from their Home Province regarding your move to BC. Depending on the circumstances of your move to BC, you may receive the option to continue insurance from your home Province while you are a full time student in BC, or alternately, you may apply for BC MSP.

Note: Canadian and Permanent Residents moving to BC from another country must apply for the BC MSP upon arrival in BC, and you will have a three month waiting period before your MSP coverage begins. Therefore you must also purchase Private Medical Insurance for your first three months in BC. See the information above regarding where you can purchase private medical insurance.

International Students

1. Enrolment for MSP is not automatic. Students who will enrol for MSP should submit the MSP application shortly after arrival in BC.
2. Upon arrival in BC there is a 3-Month waiting period before MSP coverage can begin, so students applying for MSP must purchase private medical insurance for at least their first three (3) months in BC

What should I do if I need to see a doctor but don’t have my CareCard yet?

If you have already submitted your application, you will be covered immediately after the waiting period. This works even if your Care Card has not arrived.

You might have to pay at the time you receive health care. Be sure to keep your receipt, and request reimbursement from MSP once your card arrives. During the waiting period for MSP, when you visit the Urgent Care, Emergency Department in a hospital or have inpatient services (lab, radiology and other procedures), you may show a copy of your study permit to receive a reduced rate.

BC Medical Services Plan

PO Box 1600 Victoria, BC Canada V8W 2X9 | Telephone: 604 660-2421

health.gov.bc.ca/msp/info