As a new immigrant to BC, one of your first jobs should be to apply for a BC health card. This card is your record of your BC Personal Health Number (or PHN) and is proof of your eligibility for free healthcare under BC’s Medical Services Plan (known as MSP).
You will need to provide your health card whenever you need to access healthcare. You will also need this when registering with a family doctor. You should apply for a BC health card as soon as possible.
In this post, we will give you an overview of the Canadian and BC healthcare systems and explain in simple terms how to apply for a BC health card.
For more information on Canadian health care and other provincial health cards, refer to our article on applying for health cards in Canada.
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Canada’s excellent healthcare system provides free primary care to eligible residents. Healthcare is publicly funded and administered at the provincial level. The provincial systems operate similarly, but there is some variation in coverage.
Your provincial plan will also provide basic coverage while travelling within other provinces and territories. However, if you move province permanently, you will need to re-register for healthcare with your new province.
The following sections fully explain the steps to apply for a BC health card, but some basic facts about the process are provided below:
To apply for a BC health card (also called a BC Services Card) is a 2 stage process. The first stage is to submit your application for the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
The second stage is to attend an ICBC Driver Licensing Office to provide details for your BC Services Card. Your BC services card (which also acts as your BC Health Card) will then be mailed to you.
The quickest method is to submit your application online. According to the BC website, this will take around 15 minutes. You will be required to complete an online form and upload copies of your documentation.
Alternatively, you can fill out an application form and mail it with copies of your ID to Health Insurance BC, Medical Services Plan, PO Box 9678 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9P7.
To complete the process of applying for a BC health card, you must visit an ICBC driver licensing office. At this appointment, you will need to:
Then wait for your card to be mailed to you.
MSP WILL cover you for medically necessary healthcare services such as:
Some supplementary benefits are available to those in BC on a low income. To access these benefits, you will need to submit a separate application. If accepted, you will be eligible for partial payment of services such as:
MSP generally WON’T cover you for the following services:
Many Canadians have private supplementary insurance for medical services that aren’t covered by the provincial plan. Employers often provide supplementary health overage in employee benefit packages, or you can acquire your own coverage.
Once you receive your BC Services Card, you can register with a family doctor. You are free to register with any doctor in your area that is accepting new patients. Some options for finding a doctor would be:
Are health cards free in Canada?
Health cards in Canada are provided free of charge to citizens, permanent residents and some temporary residents. A health card is proof of eligibility for free healthcare in Canada. This includes hospital and doctor visits and essential medical treatment.
Can I have health cards in two provinces?
You can’t have health cards in two provinces in Canada; only one province or territory at a time may provide health insurance. When you apply for your new health card, they notify the previous province/territory.
Can I use my health card in another province?
Except Quebec, all territories and provinces have signed an Interprovincial Billing Agreement. This covers you for basic insured hospital and physician services when travelling in Canada. In most areas of Canada, your health care card will be accepted as proof of coverage.
If travelling to Quebec, you must pay any medical costs and then claim reimbursement after returning to your home province.
Does my health card cover me in the US?
Your provincial health insurance may provide limited coverage when you travel in the US. The level of cover varies according to province, and your province is unlikely to pay the total cost. You will also need to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement to your home province.
Do you need private health insurance in Canada?
Private health insurance in Canada is not mandatory, but it can be beneficial for certain services. Private health insurance can cover services excluded from the universal healthcare system, such as prescription drugs, dentistry and cosmetic surgery. In addition, private health insurance plans are available for foreign citizens living in Canada.
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