In the province of British Columbia, public health coverage for citizens, permanent residents, and (under certain conditions) temporary residents is provided through the government health insurance program known as the Medical Services Plan (MSP). This program covers the most basic medical services—such as family doctor visits, hospital stays, and certain emergency services—free of charge and funded by the government. Registration in this program is required in order to receive the BC Services Card. Services covered by MSP include:
Prescription Drugs (PharmaCare)
- Income-based coverage with three components: Deductible, Co-payment, and Family Maximum.
- Available to all residents enrolled in MSP who authorize income verification through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Coverage applies to families, not just individuals. A family may include a single adult, a married or common-law couple, a single parent with dependent children, or a couple with dependent children.
- PharmaCare covers:
• Insulin, needles, and syringes for people with diabetes
• Certain ostomy supplies
• Designated permanent prosthetic appliances
• Orthotic devices for children
Ambulance Services
- Ambulance fees are not covered under the MSP.
- Coverage may be available through third parties, such as Workers’ Compensation or private insurers.
Dental Benefits
- No coverage for routine dental care.
- Limited coverage for dental and oral surgeries that are medically necessary and performed in hospital.
- Additional coverage may be available under the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Eye Care Services
- Annual eye exams are covered for:
• Children aged 0–19
• Seniors aged 65 and older - Medically required eye exams are covered for individuals aged 19–64, when provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Hospital Services
- Coverage includes standard ward rooms in public hospitals only.
Hearing Aids
- No standard coverage for hearing aids under MSP.
Medical Supplies & Equipment
- Insulin pump funding is available for eligible children with Type 1 diabetes.
- Coverage includes insulin pump reservoirs for patients with diabetes of all ages.
- May also cover certain orthoses, artificial limbs, and ostomy supplies. Consult the Ministry of Health for British Columbia for full details.
Nursing and Home Care Services
- Coverage is needs-based, determined through a formal assessment of the patient’s situation.
Paramedical Services
- MSP provides $23 per visit for a combined annual limit of 10 visits for the following services:
• Chiropractic care
• Massage therapy
• Naturopathy
• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Non-surgical podiatry
- Surgical podiatry services are covered for all MSP beneficiaries.
Out-of-Country Coverage
- No coverage for unexpected medical services provided by non-physician healthcare providers.
- In-patient hospital care outside Canada is reimbursed up to $75 per day.
However, it’s important to note that Medical Services Plan (MSP) does not cover all health-related expenses. Another major drawback of the public healthcare system is the long wait times for certain procedures, especially non-emergency surgeries. As a result, many patients are forced to turn to private options or use complementary insurance that allows for quicker access to specialists and healthcare services.
In such cases, having a valid complementary insurance policy tailored to your personal or family health needs not only brings greater peace of mind but also provides crucial financial support when facing unexpected medical costs or specialized care.
At Rahimian Insurance, we rely on our specialized knowledge in the insurance field and years of experience in the Canadian market to carefully assess your situation and offer the most suitable options with the clearest terms. All you need to do is to complete and submit the form below.
