Enroll in BC's Health Plan (MSP)

Description

The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is BC's public health insurance. It covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and medically required services. If you plan to stay in BC for more than 6 months, you are expected to enroll — and the sooner you apply, the sooner your coverage starts.

In person N/A

online only

Online 10–15 min

to apply. Coverage starts after the waiting period.

What to do

1. Go to hibc.gov.bc.ca and open the MSP enrollment page

2. Fill in your personal information and BC address

3. Prepare your passport and study or work permit for verification

4. Submit your application

5. Look for the option to apply for Fair PharmaCare at the end of the form — it takes one extra minute and helps with future prescription costs

6. Save your confirmation number and note the date you applied — this helps you track when your coverage starts

Warnings

You won't be covered right away — apply as early as possible

BC has a waiting period: the month you arrive plus 2 full calendar months
Arriving on the 28th still counts as your full arrival month — you and someone who arrived on the 2nd become eligible on the same date
The wait is counted from the day you settle in BC, not from your application date — but coverage cannot start until your enrolment is approved, so apply right away

You must have coverage during the waiting period

MSP does not cover you while you wait — you are responsible for finding alternative coverage
International students are usually covered by their school's health plan during this time
Work permit holders should check if their employer offers coverage or purchase private insurance

As a student you may end up paying for two health plans

MSP itself is free — monthly premiums were eliminated in 2020 — but it covers only doctor visits and hospital care: no dental, no prescriptions, no glasses
Your school's extended health plan covers the rest and is worth keeping even after MSP kicks in
Check with your school if you can opt out of the basic part of their plan once MSP starts to avoid paying twice
The cost you actually pay is your school's plan fee, charged with tuition each term — check the amount and what it covers so you don't pay twice for the same thing

Tips

Apply on your first or second day

Your wait period is set by the month you arrive, but coverage can only start once your enrolment is approved — and processing takes weeks. It takes 10 minutes online, so do it in your first days.

What MSP covers

Doctor visits, specialist referrals, hospital stays, and medically required surgeries. It does not cover dental, vision, prescriptions, or ambulance rides — those require additional coverage.

BC Services Card comes after MSP

Once your MSP enrollment is confirmed, you can apply for a BC Services Card — your main government photo ID in BC. This is a separate step but depends on MSP enrollment.

For students

Your school's health plan is your primary coverage during the MSP waiting period. Make sure you know what it covers and how to use it — check your school's international student services page for details.

For workers

Ask your employer early on if they offer health benefits. Some employers cover the MSP waiting period through a private plan. If not, look into short-term private health insurance.

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