Settling in BC: Questions and Answers

The Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP) pays for most health costs, such as doctors, most medical tests, and treatments. Some health costs are not covered by MSP, such as dentists and physiotherapists. MSP might cover some unexpected medical services while you are temporarily absent from BC. The cost of medical care outside BC or Canada can be higher than the amount covered by MSP. Visit the Ministry of Health’s website for more information about exclusions and limitations about medical benefits covered by MSP.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Medical Services Plan – Benefits
• Government of British Columbia: Medical Benefits Outside of B.C. 

Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums were eliminated as of January 1, 2020. You are eligible for medical benefits under MSP at no cost to you if you are a citizen or permanent resident and you are physically present in BC at least 6 months of the calendar year. All BC residents must by law enrol in the MSP.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Medical Services Plan – Premiums

You should register for the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP) as soon as you arrive in British Columbia. All residents must register for MSP. There is a waiting period, which means that you will not get MSP coverage for up to three months. You can apply for MSP coverage, Supplementary Benefits and Fair PharmaCare for you and your family using the BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage. You can apply online or by submitting a paper form. After you apply, you will receive a letter about your MSP enrolment.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Medical Services Plan – How to Apply

The BC Services Card is a secure government-issued identification card that eligible residents of British Columbia can use to access provincially funded health services under the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP). There are three versions of the card: BC Driver’s Licence and Services Card, Photo BC Services Card, and Non-Photo BC Services Card. BC Services Cards expire every five years and need to be renewed before the expiry date. You do not need to pay for the BC Services Card.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: BC Services Card

PharmaCare and Fair PharmaCare help residents of British Columbia with the cost of eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies and pharmacy services. They provide assistance through several drug plans. To be eligible for PharmaCare, you must be enrolled in the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP). Once you have PharmaCare coverage, any portion of your prescription covered by PharmaCare is calculated at the time of purchase. You pay only the costs not covered by PharmaCare. Assistance through the Fair PharmaCare plan is based on income from the last two years. The lower your income, the more help you receive. There is no cost to register. If you are a new resident of British Columbia, you can register for Fair PharmaCare when you register for the Medical Services Plan (MSP). All family members on the same MSP account will be registered together.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: BC PharmaCare Plans
• Government of British Columbia: Patient Information Sheets – Fair PharmaCare Plan
• Government of British Columbia: Forms for BC Residents – Fair PharmaCare Registration

The Healthy Kids Program provides coverage for basic dental treatment, optical care and hearing assistance to children in low-income families who are not receiving income assistance, disability assistance or hardship assistance. Children in families eligible for Medical Services Plan (MSP) Supplementary Benefits are eligible for the Healthy Kids Program.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Healthy Kids Program
• Government of British Columbia: Medical Services Plan – Supplementary Benefits

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is a program that pays for medical services for a short period of time for some refugees and refugee claimants. It is not designed to replace provincial health insurance and does not provide the same extent of coverage as the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP). Refugees and refugee claimants may be eligible if they cannot afford to pay for medical services and are not covered under MSP or private health insurance. After receiving coverage under MSP, refugees and refugee claimants may still be eligible for partial benefits under the IFHP program for up to 12 months after arrival in Canada.

For more information:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Interim Federal Health Program 

Some employers offer extended health care benefits to their employees. These benefits are designed to help promote the continued health and wellbeing of staff. Benefits include coverage for a wide range of services not included under the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia, such as prescription drugs, vision care, emergency medical care while traveling, sessions with registered clinical psychologists and massage therapists, and medical equipment purchases.

The Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP) does not cover all medical costs. If you do not have extended health care benefits through your job, you can buy extra insurance from a private company. MSP only provides coverage for emergency hospital care when traveling outside Canada, with a limit of $75.00 a day in Canadian funds. You should consider additional private health insurance when traveling abroad. There are three types of private health insurance agency: for-profit, not-for-profit and co-operatives. In B.C., Pacific Blue Cross is the dominant non-for-profit private insurer. If you are new to BC and don’t have any medical coverage, you should get short-term private health insurance while you wait for your Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP) coverage to begin.

For more information:

• A Guide to Supplementary Health Insurance  
• Pacific Blue Cross

The Provincial Health Services Authority provides free interpretation services in over 200 languages. The services include: on-site interpreting (Lower Mainland only); virtual health visit interpreting (e.g. Zoom); video remote interpreting (e.g. using iPad); and over the phone interpreting. The services are provided to health-care professionals who work for any agency or service under the BC health authorities. Doctors and other health care professionals are not required to use the interpreting service and they might not even don’t know that these services exist. You should consider mentioning the interpreting services to your doctor or health care provider if you need this service.

For more information:

• Provincial Health Services Authority: Interpreting 

A Community Health Centre (CHC) is a non-profit, publicly funded health services centre. Family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dieticians, dental hygienists, health promoters, community health workers and other care providers and health program staff all work as a team to deliver care and support.

For more information:

• British Columbia Association of Community Health Centres

Many communities have Public Health Units. Public Health Units are medical offices where nurses and doctors give free health care information. They are experts in immunization, communicable disease control, maternal and pregnancy health, early childhood development, speech therapy, audiology, nutrition, dental health and other public health topics. You will need your BC Services Card to visit a Public Health Unit.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Find a Public Health Unit or Community Health Centre

If you do not have a family doctor, you can go to a walk-in clinic. You do not need an appointment. These clinics have nurses and doctors who see patients in the order that they arrive. Service hours vary and can change at any time. Some are open late and many are open seven days a week. Most large communities have walk-in clinics. You can find the walk-in clinic(s) in your community on the HealthLinkBC website.

For more information:

• HealthLinkBC: Find Services – Walk-in Clinics

If you have a serious accident or suddenly get very sick, you should go to the emergency department of a hospital. Many emergency departments are open 24 hours a day. If you are taking prescription medicine, you should bring it with you. There is at least one hospital in every community. You can find the hospital(s) in your community on the HealthLinkBC website. You do not have to pay for hospital costs if you are covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia.

For more information:

• HealthLinkBC: Find Services – Hospitals

You should only call for an ambulance if there is a health emergency and you need immediate medical assistance. If you need an ambulance, call 9-1-1. In some small communities, the emergency phone number is not 9-1-1. Your settlement agency, town Hal, or police department can tell you the number. You can also find it online. Search for “emergency number” and your community’s name. Ask for an ambulance. The ambulance will take you to the emergency department of a hospital. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia will not pay for the ambulance. If you go in an ambulance, you do not have to pay right away. You will get a bill later. If you have a low income, you may receive financial assistance.

For more information:

• WelcomeBC: Healthcare – Emergencies
• HealthLinkBC: Dealing with Emergencies

You must have a doctor’s prescription (written permission) to buy most prescription drugs (medicines). Pharmacists can assess and treat many common minor ailments and prescribe contraception free of charge. If you are prescribed medication from your medical doctor, you need to take it to a pharmacist to have it processed. Most medical clinics have a pharmacy located in the same building or nearby. You can also find pharmacies in large supermarkets or drug stores. You will need your BC Services Card the first time you fill your prescription. The pharmacist will explain how often and how long you must take the medicine. PharmaCare may pay for some of the cost for prescription drugs you buy in British Columbia.  Pharmacies also charge a dispensing fee for each prescription they dispense. PharmaCare covers up to $10.00 in dispensing fees. If a pharmacy charges higher than a $10.00 dispensing fee, you will need to pay the difference.

For more information:

• HealthLinkBC: Medications
• HealthLinkBC: Find Services – Pharmacy Services

You can buy some medicines without a prescription. These are called non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs. They are usually for less serious problems, such as common colds or headaches. If you have a question about non-prescription drugs, you can ask the pharmacist.

For more information:

• HealthLinkBC: Over-the-Counter Medicine Precautions

If you are traveling overseas with a prescription or even over-the-counter medications, you should plan ahead. Prior to your trip, you should consult with your physician to identify your healthcare needs. Usually you are permitted to bring a single course of treatment or a 90-day supply, whichever is less based on the directions for use. Your prescription medicines and even some over-the-counter medication might be illegal at your destination. You should consider visiting the government website of your destination to make sure your medication is legal in that country. Be mindful that being authorized to possess or produce marijuana under the Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations does not allow you to carry marijuana in or out of Canada.

For more information:

• Government of Canada: Travelling with medication 

There are different ways to find a dentist in British Columbia. You can ask family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers and other people if they can recommend a dentist who is accepting new patients. You can contact your local settlement agency – they may be able to tell you about a dentist who speaks your language. There are also some websites that provide information about dentists in different communities. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia will not pay for dental services, only medically required dental surgery performed in a hospital. The British Columbia Healthy Kids Program helps low-income families with the costs of basic dental care for their dependent children under the age of 19.  

For more information:

• British Columbia Dental Association: Dentists Accepting New Patients
• Government of British Columbia: Healthy Kids Program

In most communities in BC, there are many optometry clinics that offer a wide range of optometry services including: regular eye exams for health and vision problems, diagnosis and treatment of eye disease, emergency treatment for eye accidents, prescription glasses or other devices for specialized vision needs, etc. You can contact your local settlement agency – they may be able to tell you about an optometrist who speaks your language. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia will not pay for optometry services except medically required eye examinations. However, the British Columbia Healthy Kids Program helps low-income families with the costs of prescription eyewear for their dependent children under the age of 19.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Optometrists 
• Government of British Columbia: Healthy Kids Program

Mental illnesses can take many forms, just as physical illnesses do. They can reduce your ability to cope with daily life. They can affect people of all ages, ethnicities, religions, occupations, levels of income, and levels of education. About 1 in 4 Canadians experience mental illness at some point in their life. There are many different types of mental illness. Within each mental illness, people may have very different symptoms and challenges. However, symptoms are just one piece. Access to services, support from loved ones, and the ability to participate in communities play a big part in the way people experience mental illnesses. Culture, background, and personal beliefs also shape the way people understand mental illnesses. Examples of mental illnesses include: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis and schizophrenia. If you or someone you know is experiencing any symptoms, talk to your doctor or contact the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (do not add the area code before the number).

For more information:

• heretohelp: We’re here to help
• Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH): Information in Languages Other Than English
• BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

People can have an addiction to many different types of legal and illegal substances, such as alcohol, caffeine, illegal drugs, over-the-counter medication, prescription drugs and tobacco. It can become a problem if it begins to affect any part of your life, such as relationships with family and friends, physical, social or mental health, employment, finances, safety or legal status. Addiction can affect anyone – people of all ages, ethnicities, religions, occupations, and levels of income and education. Many people develop an addiction to cope with life’s problems.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Mental Health and Substance Use
• HereToHelp: Get Help Now
• MentalHealth.ca: Addictions – Organizations/Services and Info Sheets

Moving to a new country can be challenging – adjusting can be difficult. You may feel extremely sad or upset, or may even think about suicide. In British Columbia, many communities have crisis centres to help people in emotional crisis, such as depression, suicidal thoughts or family and marriage problems. If you are in a crisis, you should call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or call or text 9-8-8.

For more information:

• Crisis Centre BC
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Support Services Directory
• Government of British Columbia: Crisis and Information Lines

The Government of British Columbia offers a variety of programs and services for people with disabilities. TheBC211 website is the best way to find up-to-date listings for disability services in BC. You can search for disability services in your community. The Disability Alliance of British Columbia also provides one-to-one assistance, programs and advocacy for people with all disabilities.

For more information:

• Government of British Columbia: Services for Persons with Disabilities
• BC211: Find Services by Topic – Disabilities 
• Disability Alliance BC: Programs