All residents of British Columbia are required to have valid medical insurance coverage in case of accident or illness. BC Medical Services Plan, or BC MSP, is the provincial healthcare provider for residents in British Columbia. Enrollment with the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is mandatory for all eligible residents of British Columbia (BC).
Proof of valid medical insurance coverage is required for all students at Alexander College. Without valid medical insurance, students are not able to register for courses.
If you are a domestic student or an international student and already enrolled with BC MSP, you will need to send a copy of your BC CareCard or BC Services card to your Enrolment Advisor (EA) or to the Registrar’s Office.
To find the contact information of your EA, check the Application status page of your MyAC student portal.
Alternatively, you can email the copy of your medical insurance to the Office of the Registrar.
If you are not yet enrolled with BC MSP, or you require assistance with replacing a lost card or renewing expired coverage, contact the Office of the Registrar (Registration unit). We can assist you to apply online.
Accidents and unexpected illness can occur at any time, and having insurance coverage is the best way to protect yourself and your family. International students should obtain medical insurance before travelling to Canada.
For newcomers to BC there is a 90-day waiting period to begin MSP coverage (i.e. MSP coverage becomes effective 90 days after arrival in BC), therefore it is required to purchase temporary private medical insurance for the interim, in case of emergency.
Alexander College is not liable for medical, dental, or any other health-related expenses incurred by students.
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 enrol 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.
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 or may not be covered by your previous provincial health insurance while you are a full time student in BC, please contact the Office of the Registrar (Registration Unit) to confirm your coverage and eligibility for the 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
Enrolment for MSP is not automatic. Students should submit the MSP application shortly after arrival in BC.
Upon arrival in BC there is a 3-Month waiting period before MSP coverage can begin, therefore students are required to obtain temporary private medical insurance (e.g., Guard.me) to ensure coverage during their first 90 days in Canada. This 90-day waiting period is required by the BC government in order to process the student’s application for BC MSP and is governed by the BC MSP Act. The BC MSP card becomes effective 90 days from the date of arrival 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 9035 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC Canada V8W 9E3 | Telephone: 604 683-7151
While waiting for the provincial health insurance, students are required to purchase private medical insurance.
In an effort to make it easy for international students to buy affordable medical insurance, Alexander College has made arrangements with a local insurance provider (Guard.Me) to offer its students high quality and low cost health insurance designed for international students.
Read the benefits summary or purchase insurance online by visiting Alexander College’s page on the Guard.Me website.
The Guard.Me website is also useful in locating a clinic or medical service that accepts private insurance: www.guard.me/alexandercollege
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
