Eligibility for BC Health Care Services

• Overview of Service
• Purpose of Service
• Prerequisites for Service
• Supporting Documentation
• Support

Overview of Service

Authorized organizations and health care providers who deliver health services are able to search for clients' Personal Health Numbers (PHNs), confirm client eligibility for publicly funded health care, update person demographics, and assign PHNs, where required.
A description of each business services can be found here:
Search for a Personal Health Number (PHN)

• Name Search

Assign a Personal Health Number (PHN)

• Record Newborn
• Record New Person

Confirm Client Eligibility for BC Health Care Services

• MSP Coverage Status Check
• PHN Inquiry
• Record Death

Person Demographics

• Get Person Demographics
• Update Person Demographics
• Record Document
• Update Person Address
• Validate Address

Purpose of Service

The service is available 24 hours, each day, and provides:

• Name search capability for easier confirmation of patient/client identity and retrieval of PHNs;
• A faster and more effective way to determine a patient's eligibility for publicly funded health care services;
• A centralized method to verify and update patient demographics;
• The ability for hospitals to issue PHNs to newborns, at birth;
• Reduced staff time in reconciling rejected MSP claims;
• Determine third-party billing arrangements for clients associated with the RCMP or Armed Forces; and,
• Increased potential in identifying third-party patient responsibility and revenues.

Prerequisites for Service

To qualify and register for these services:

1. Your computer must be running a web browser with a cipher strength of 128-bit. Internet Explorer (version 6.0, or higher) is the recommended Ministry standard for web-based services.
2. Read Eligibility, Demographic & PHN Assignment Overview (PDF .9 Mb).
3. Register for services by sending an e-mail request to hlth.hnetconnection@gov.bc.ca
4. Upon Ministry approval, you will receive a Ministry of Health Data Access Agreement (DAA), for your completion, signature and return, if applicable.
5. Install a Ministry issued Digital Certificate, as described in the Access Administrator's Guide (PDF 0.5 Mb).

Supporting Documentation

• Introduction to healthnetBC Web Business Services (PDF 62 Kb).
  This provides a demonstration package with a sample set of business services.
• Access Administrator Support Guide (PDF 0.9 MB)
  Note: The Access Administrator is the person who will be the primary contact within your Organization for all questions and concerns about User access.
• Health Authority User Guide - Eligibility, Demographics & PHN Assignment (PDF 1.6 Mb)
• Training Scenarios - Eligibility, Demographics & PHN Assignment (PDF 0.12 Mb)

Support

For further information or support, please contact the Ministry of Health Helpdesk:
Phone: 1-250-952-1234 or toll free 1-888-764-2323
E-Mail: HLTH.HnetConnection@gov.bc.ca