BC Medical Services Plan

Enrolment

International students must submit a Medical Services Plan (MSP) enrolment application when they arrive in BC.

Once approved, you will receive a Non-Photo BC Services Card with a personal health number (PHN), which will allow you to access medical services. You will also receive a letter from Health Insurance BC confirming the effective date of your MSP coverage.

Learn more about eligibility and enrolment.

You are not eligible for MSP if you will be in BC less than 6 months.

How to apply for BC MSP

Watch our step-by-step tutorial below for detailed instructions on applying for BC MSP.

Coverage

There is a waiting period before your MSP coverage begins. The waiting period includes the balance of the month you arrive in BC plus two months.

For example:

if you arrive in BC in April, your coverage will begin on July 1
if you arrive in BC in May, your coverage will begin on August 1

Once your MSP coverage takes effect, you may be eligible to opt out of the guard.me@UVic plan.

Fees

There is a $75 monthly health fee for international students. You will receive an invoice with instructions for how to pay your monthly health fee.

International students are not eligible for financial assistance with MSP premiums.

Extending your coverage

Your MSP coverage expires when your study permit expires. This date appears on your study permit and your BC Services Card.

You need to extend your study permit before you can renew your MSP coverage. Start this process at least four months before your study permit expires to avoid a lapse in your MSP coverage.

If you receive your new study permit and:

your BC Services Card has not expired or has been expired for less than 6 months, submit an MSP Account Change Request to extend your MSP coverage, or
your BC Services Card has been expired for more than 6 months, contact Health Insurance BC by phone for more information

Effective May 1, 2022, eligible individuals living in BC with Maintained Status who are waiting for a study or work permit extension may be eligible for temporary MSP coverage.

If your study permit and MSP have expired while your study permit extension application is being processed, you may be able to temporarily extend your MSP coverage.

Opting out

If you are moving to BC from another Canadian province or territory, contact Health Insurance BC by phone and ask to speak with an enrolment specialist about your options.

Leaving BC

Use the following links if you plan to leave BC:

leaving BC temporarily and want to keep your MSP
leaving BC permanently and need to cancel your MSP

Need help?

Contact Health Insurance BC if you have questions about MSP.