Health Insurance BC
What's Covered Under the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
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Last updated: July 2026. MSP program details are subject to change. Always confirm current coverage with the BC Ministry of Health.
Health Insurance BC: Summary of Benefits
The following is a brief summary of Health Insurance BC (British Columbia’s provincial healthcare plan) coverage and benefits.
Health Insurance BC administers the provincial health insurance plan, which consists of:
Medical Services Plan (MSP): mandatory coverage for all BC residents and dependents, covering medically necessary services from physicians and midwives.
Pharmacare: covers prescription drugs and certain medical supplies.
Fair Pharmacare: the most common Pharmacare plan, providing income-based assistance for prescription costs.
Is MSP Free in BC?
Yes. As of January 1, 2020, British Columbia eliminated MSP premiums for everyone. You no longer pay a monthly bill to be covered under the Medical Services Plan, no matter your income or family size.
Enrollment in MSP is still mandatory for every BC resident and their dependents. You need to register with Health Insurance BC and keep your account up to date.
If you had unpaid MSP premiums from before 2020, those older balances are still owed. If you think you might have an outstanding balance, Health Insurance BC can help you sort out payment options.
What The Medical Services Plan Covers
Residents pay a monthly premium (based on family size and income) which pays for part of their healthcare costs. Note: amendments to the BC Medicare Protection Act (effective October 1, 2018) insure that residents receive healthcare based on need and not the ability to pay. For more information click here.
What’s Covered by MSP
Medically required services of physicians and midwives.
Dental or oral surgery if medically required (must be done in a hospital).
Routine eye examinations for patients under 19 or older than 64 years old. Eye exams for residents 19-64 ONLY covered if deemed medically necessary.
Maternity care done by a midwife or physician.
Eye exams that are required medically and are performed by either an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Diagnostic services (including x-rays and/or laboratory services) when ordered by a registered physician or supplementary healthcare worker such as a midwife, podiatrist or surgeon.
Surgical podiatry services (if a podiatrist is opted out of the plan there may be charges not covered by MSP).
Supplementary health benefits (e.g. paramedicals such as chiropractors, acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy etc.) MAY be covered IF you are receiving some form of premium assistance. See the BC Supplementary Benefits web page for more information.
What’s Not Covered by MSP
Any services that are not considered medically necessary (e.g. cosmetic surgery).
Routine and restorative dental services (e.g. cleanings, fillings, extractions and exams).
Physical examinations if not medically necessary (e.g. tests for driving a vehicle, life insurance, immigration, etc.).
Routine eye examinations for patients aged 19-64.
Ambulance services (although in-province ambulance transportation is subsidized, thereby decreasing cost to BC residents). For ambulance fees click here.
Eye glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and other medical equipment.
Counsellors and psychologists.
Pharmaceutical drugs (unless you qualify for assistance via one of the Drug Programs, see below).
Paramedicals such as chiropractors, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapists, naturopathy, etc. Note that you MAY qualify for coverage if you are enrolled in some assistance programs (e.g. MSP Premium Assistance, Income Assistance, residents of long-term care facilities, etc.).
MSP Supplementary Benefits: What's Covered and Who Qualifies
MSP doesn't pay for massage therapy, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, acupuncture, or naturopathy for most residents. But if you qualify for MSP Supplementary Benefits, you can get partial coverage for these services.
To qualify, you generally need to be receiving MSP Premium Assistance based on income, or fall into a specific group such as income assistance recipients, residents of long-term care, or people receiving certain provincial benefits. Eligibility is based on your adjusted net income from the prior tax year, so you'll need to file taxes and consent to CRA sharing that information with Health Insurance BC.
If you qualify, MSP covers a combined total of up to 10 visits per calendar year across these supplementary services, at a set amount per visit. Anything beyond that, or if you don't qualify, comes out of pocket unless you have a private health plan that includes paramedical coverage. This is one of the more common gaps people fill with a private health and dental plan, since massage, physio, and chiropractic visits add up fast without it.
BC PharmaCare
BC Pharmacare offers some of the most comprehensive drug programs in Canada (most of these plans require active enrolment in MSP).
If you do not qualify for any of the programs below then you do not qualify for prescription drug coverage. These drug plans are as follows:
Plan G: For Psychiatric Medications. Coverage for some psychiatric medications for low-income residents.
Plan P: For the BC Palliative Care Drug Program. Coverage for medications, medical supplies and other equipment used for palliative care in the resident’s home.
Plan W: For First Nations Health Benefits. Coverage for prescription drugs, medical supplies, etc. Funded by the First Nations Health Authority.
BC Smoking Cessation Program: Nicotine replacement therapy plan for residents who want to quit smoking. For full details on what is covered click here.
BC Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS: A government resource that tries to improve the health of British Columbians with HIV via the development, monitoring, and dissemination of HIV-related research and treatment programs.
Fair Pharmacare: The largest plan which is subsidized and based on family net income. Pharmacare assists with paying eligible drug costs.
Plan B: For Permanent Residents of Licensed Residential Care Facilities. Covers the cost of eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies.
Plan C: For Recipients of B.C. Income Assistance. Full coverage of eligible prescription costs for residents who are receiving income assistance.
Plan D: For Cystic Fibrosis. Coverage for digestive enzymes and other products in the Cystic Fibrosis Formulary.
Plan F: For Children in the At Home Program. Community-based care for severely handicapped children who would otherwise have to get institutional care.
New to BC? Here's the MSP Waiting Period
If you're new to British Columbia (moved from another province or new to Canada), there's a three-month waiting period before your MSP coverage kicks in.
Day 1
Arrive in BC, apply for MSP right away
Month 1-3
Waiting period, arrange private coverage
Month 3
MSP coverage becomes active
The good news is you don't have to wait to apply. Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in BC. Your three-month wait runs while your application is being processed, so applying early doesn't cost you anything and gets your coverage started sooner.
During that waiting period, you're responsible for your own medical costs if something happens. A single ER visit or urgent care appointment without coverage can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars. This is exactly the gap private health insurance is designed to fill for newcomers, and it's worth setting up before you need it, not after.
If you're moving from another Canadian province, check with your old province's health plan too. Some provinces continue your coverage for a period after you leave, which can help bridge the gap until BC's MSP takes over.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. MSP premiums were eliminated on January 1, 2020. You still need to enroll, but you no longer pay a monthly fee.
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Most new residents and newcomers to Canada face a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. You can and should apply as soon as you arrive since the wait runs during processing.
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Only if you qualify for MSP Supplementary Benefits based on income or a specific eligibility category. Even then, coverage is limited to a combined 10 visits per year across physio, massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, and naturopathy.
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Fair PharmaCare is BC's main prescription drug assistance program. It's based on household net income and helps cover eligible prescription costs once you've paid a deductible, which is also income-based.
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Most people do. MSP covers medically necessary doctor and hospital care, but it doesn't cover most prescription drugs, routine dental, vision care, or full paramedical services. A private plan fills those gaps.
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Health Insurance BC (HIBC) is the government body that administers MSP, PharmaCare, and related programs. MSP is the actual health coverage program itself.
MSP vs. Private Health Insurance: Comparison Table
MSP covers the basics: doctor visits, hospital stays, and medically necessary procedures. It doesn't cover a lot of the things people actually spend money on every year, like prescription drugs, dental work, vision care, and paramedical services beyond the limited supplementary benefit.
| Service | Covered by MSP | Typically needs private insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor and specialist visits | Yes | — |
| Hospital stays and surgery | Yes | — |
| Prescription drugs | Only via Pharmacare, income-based | Yes |
| Routine dental care | No | Yes |
| Vision care and eyewear | Limited (under 19 / over 64 only) | Yes |
| Massage, physio, chiropractic | Limited, income-based, 10 visits/yr | Yes |
| Ambulance | Partially subsidized | Yes |
| Mental health counselling | No | Yes |
Most people in BC end up with both: MSP for the essentials, and a private plan to cover the day-to-day costs MSP leaves out. If you want to see what that would cost you, compare Manulife vs. Blue Cross plans or get an instant quote to see your options.
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