Eligibility
To qualify for Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage, you must be a resident of B.C. A resident is a person who:
- is a citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant) of Canada;
- makes her or his home in British Columbia; and
- is physically present in British Columbia at least six months in a calendar year.
Certain other persons, such as some holders of study and/or work permits issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are deemed to be residents, but tourists or visitors to B.C. do not qualify. More information on eligibility is available on the MSP website.
Dependent - includes a spouse and children who are B.C. residents.
Spouse - a resident who is either married to or is living and cohabiting in a marriage-like relationship with the applicant and may be of the same gender as the applicant. (Note: in the case of divorce, the former spouse is no longer eligible for coverage as a dependent and must apply for separate coverage.)
Child - a resident who is the legal ward or child of the applicant, is supported by the applicant, is neither married nor living and cohabiting in a marriage-like relationship, and is either age 18 or younger or age 19 to 24 and attending school or university full-time.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility status, contact us for assistance.
Required Documents
Your application for Medical Services Plan (MSP) must include photocopies of documents that verify the Canadian citizenship or immigration status of each person to be enrolled.
Acceptable documents may include:
Canadian Citizens:
- Canadian Birth Certificate
- Citizenship Card
- Passport
- Any documentation from a Canadian Vital Statistics department that verifies Canadian Citizenship
Permanent Residents:
- Record of Landing
- Permanent Resident Card (front and back)
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence document
Temporary Citizenship & Immigration Canada Document Holders:
- Temporary Resident Permit
- Work Permit
- Study Permit
Group Coverage
If your health coverage is administered by your employer, union or pension plan, they will register for MSP on your behalf.
First Nations and Inuit Residents - Basic Medical Coverage
MSP is the provincial government program that provides basic medical benefits. For example, MSP pays for medically required services of physicians and surgeons. All residents of B.C. are required to enrol with MSP - only those (adults) who formally opt out of all provincial health care programs are exempt. Generally, Status Native and Inuit residents enrol through Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
More information on Basic Medical Coverage is available on the Ministry of Health website.
Application Status
Due to call volumes and high volumes of applications received by Health Insurance BC, unless you have a medical emergency and have been resident in B.C. for more than 2 months, please wait at least 30 days before calling about your application status.
