Healthcare

The Government of B.C. has a health insurance program called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It pays for medically required doctor visits, medical tests, and treatments. Medically required health services are services that are needed to diagnose, prevent, or treat a medical problem. MSP will not pay for all health costs. For example, you usually pay for dentists, optometrists, and physiotherapists yourself. See a list of services MSP does not pay for.

It is important to know that not everyone in B.C. is covered by MSP. MSP is for:

• B.C. residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• B.C. residents who are government-assisted refugees
• international students with study permits
• some people with work permits for 6 months or more.

Find out if you are eligible for MSP.

Enrolment

All eligible B.C. residents must register (enrol) with MSP. You need to apply to register for MSP. On your application, make sure you write your name exactly as it appears on other official documents.

You should register for MSP as soon as you arrive in B.C. You may have to wait up to 3 months for your application to be processed. If you do not have MSP, you should buy private medical insurance. If you need medical care in B.C. and you do not have MSP or private medical insurance, you will have to pay all medical costs yourself. These costs can be very high.

For more information, or to register for MSP, contact Health Insurance BC.

Supplementary benefits

If your income is low, you may be eligible for Supplementary Benefits. MSP Supplementary Benefits will pay part of some medical services. These include:

• acupuncture (using thin needles to help with pain and other health problems)
• chiropractic care (treatment for muscles, joints, nerves, and spine that doesn’t use drugs or surgery)
• massage therapy (pushing and pulling on muscles to reduce pain and improve muscle health)
• naturopathy (a type of medicine that uses natural things, like plants and food, to help you heal)
• physical therapy (exercises and treatments to help you recover from injuries and move better)
• non-surgical podiatry (care for foot and ankle problems that doesn’t involve surgery)

You may qualify for Supplementary Benefits if you have lived in Canada for the last 12 months as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. To apply, fill out an application form and send it to Health Insurance BC.

International student health fee

International students must pay a monthly health fee. This fee applies to all international students enroled in MSP with a study permit valid for six months or longer. This includes K-12 and post-secondary students.

Learn how to pay the international student health fee.

Out-of-province coverage

You may want to buy extra health insurance if you visit another province in Canada. Check with Health Insurance BC to see if you will need extra coverage before travelling.

Private insurance

If you want coverage for more medical costs, you can buy insurance from a private company. You may need to have private health insurance if you are in Canada on some visitor visas, such as the temporary resident visa, the parent super visa, or the grandparent super visa. Visit Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for more information.

When you go to a medical appointment, you will have to pay for the service. Ask for the receipt and send it to your insurance company. They will send you some or all of the money you paid. Some medical offices will send the bill directly to your insurance company. This is called “direct billing”. Ask questions and make sure you understand how the bill will be paid.

Temporary health care coverage

The Interim Federal Health Program provides limited, temporary health coverage for resettled refugees, protected persons, refugee claimants and their dependents, victims of human trafficking or domestic violence, and some other groups. The program is for people who are not eligible for provincial or private health coverage. It includes basic health care services such as visiting the doctor, going to the hospital, emergency medicine, emergency dental (teeth) care, some eye care, and more. 

People qualified for the Interim Federal Health Program must visit health care providers who are registered with the program. See a list of registered health care providers.

You will need a BC Services Card to use health care services in B.C. To get your BC Services Card, follow these steps:

1. Apply for MSP online, by mail, or in person:

• Apply online or by mail 
• To apply in-person, visit a Service BC location near you.

2. Visit an ICBC driver licensing office

After you send your MSP documents and enrolment form, you will receive a letter in the mail. Take this letter and 2 pieces of ID to an ICBC driver licensing office.

Find out what kind of ID you need to bring.

Find an ICBC office near you.

Children under 19, people 75 and older, and people with study and work permits do not have to visit an ICBC office. They will receive a BC Services Card without a photo. Learn more about the non-photo BC Services Card.

A BC Services Card with a photo is safer. If your card is lost or stolen, no one else can use it. If you would like a card with a photo, visit an ICBC driver licensing office. 

Finding a family doctor or nurse practitioner

It may be hard to find a family doctor or a nurse practitioner who can take you as a patient. Keep looking and ask people you know for suggestions.

Register on the Health Connect Registry to get a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your community. The Health Connect Registry registration website is only in English. You can get translation help for free. HealthLink BC offers translation in over 130 languages. Call 8-1-1 and say the name of your language in English (for example, “Punjabi”). Someone will speak with you in your language and help you to register.

Here are some other ways to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner:

• Talk with your friends, neighbours, people you work with, or other people in your community. Ask if their family doctor or nurse practitioner is accepting new patients.
• If you are visiting another health care provider, such as a specialist, ask if they know of any family doctors or nurse practitioners who are accepting patients.
• If you are visiting a walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre, ask the doctor or nurse practitioner if they would take you as a patient.
• Talk to people at your immigrant settlement agency. They may be able to help you register to find a care provider.

To find a settlement agency in B.C., visit the links below:

• For permanent residents, including refugees.
• For temporary residents, including refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, and post-secondary international students.

Booking an appointment

Before you go to your health care provider, phone the office to make an appointment (choose a day and a time to meet). Always take your BC Services Card with you when you go to a health care provider. Try to arrive a few minutes early for your appointment. If you miss your appointment, you may have to pay a fee. This fee is not covered by MSP.

Going to a walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC)

If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, or if you can’t get an appointment with them, you may be able to go to a walk-in clinic or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

Doctors and nurse practitioners at walk- in clinics and UPCCs provide same-day non-emergency care for people who need treatment within 12 to 24 hours. This includes conditions such as sprains, cuts, fevers, burns, allergic reactions, and minor infections.

Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to find a walk-in clinic or UPCC near you. Some clinics are open late. Many are open 7 days a week. UPCCs can be busy. You should call the clinic or check the website to learn what is the best time to go.

• Find a UPCC
• Find a walk-in clinic

If you are waiting for your BC Services Card, you can still go to a walk-in clinic. Bring 2 pieces of identification (ID). At least 1 piece of ID must have your photo. You will have to pay for the visit. Keep your receipt. When you get your BC Services Card, you may be able to ask for a refund.

Going to a public health unit

Public health units provide information and resources about:

• prenatal (before birth) and early childhood development
• immunizations (also called vaccinations)
• feeding infants (very young babies)
• education for parents
• hearing services
• speech and language for young children
• eye health
• oral (mouth) health
• mental health for children, youths, and families
• youth clinics and sexual health

To find a public health unit in your area, contact HealthLink BC (search for “Public Health Units”). If you visit a public health unit, bring your BC Services Card with you.

Going to a private clinic

Private clinics provide health services such as physiotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, massage therapy, acupuncture, and naturopathic care. If you go to a private clinic, ask if their services are covered by MSP. If they are not, you must pay with your own money. Make sure you know the cost before you receive service.

For more information about MSP coverage, contact Health Insurance BC.

Going to a hospital

If you get seriously injured, or if you suddenly get very sick, you can go to the hospital emergency department. Many emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you use prescription medicine, bring it with you. The doctor needs to know what medicine you take. People who do not speak English should try to bring someone to help translate.

If you have MSP coverage, you do not have to pay for hospital costs.

Wait times in emergency departments can be different depending on time, location, and how serious your emergency is. The sickest people are seen first, no matter when they come in or how they come in (on their own or by ambulance). Sometimes people arrive after you who must be treated before you. It might not be easy to see why these people are seen first. The emergency department treats the most severe and urgent illnesses and injuries first.

Calling an ambulance

If you have a medical emergency and cannot get to the hospital yourself, call an ambulance. In most places, the phone number is 9-1-1. There might be a different phone number in small communities. Ask your local police department what the emergency number is. You should write down and save emergency numbers.

When you call the emergency number, the operator will ask if you want police, fire, or ambulance. Ask for an ambulance. The operator will ask questions about your problem. They may tell you what to do next. If an ambulance is sent, paramedics will take care of you. They may take you to the hospital emergency department.

MSP does not cover the full cost of going to hospital by ambulance. You will have to pay some of the cost. You do not have to pay right away. You will get a bill later. If you have a low income, you may get help paying the bill. Learn more about billing.

Provincial Language Services

Provincial Language Services can help you get health care in your language. You cannot book this service yourself. Ask your doctor, nurse, or midwife (someone who helps deliver babies) to call the Provincial Language Service to book an interpreter for you.

HealthLink BC 8-1-1 offers health information and advice in more than 130 languages.

Seeing a pharmacist

Pharmacists are health care professionals. They work in pharmacies and hospitals. Doctors and nurses write prescriptions for medications. Pharmacists dispense (provide) the medicine and help people understand how to use it (how much to take and when to take it).

Pharmacists can also change your prescription to a medicine that is easier to take or that costs less. They can renew your prescription if you run out. They can give vaccinations. They can also treat minor ailments, such as pink eye and urinary tract infections, and prescribe contraception (birth control).

You can go into a pharmacy and ask to speak with a pharmacist about any of these things. You do not need an appointment.

In B.C., pharmacies are private businesses. They charge different amounts for drugs, and they also charge different dispensing fees. Compare prices and services before you fill a prescription.

Learn more information about pharmacists.

Buying medicine

You can buy some medicines without a prescription. These are called non-prescription or over-the-counter medicines. They are usually for less serious problems, such as a headache, a cold, or allergies. If you have a question about over-the- counter medicine, ask the pharmacist. You can also call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a pharmacist.

Paying for prescription drugs

There are some medicines you can buy only if you have a prescription. Prescriptions must be written by a doctor, dentist, midwife, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist. You can buy prescription medicines at a pharmacy (drugstore). Some grocery stores have pharmacies.

When you go to a pharmacy, take your prescription with you. The prescription tells the pharmacist what medicine you need and how much to take (the dose). The pharmacist will tell you when to take the medicine and how long to continue (for example, 2 times a day for 1 week).

Search online for a pharmacy. You can also contact HealthLink BC by calling 8-1-1. Download the BC Health Services Locator app.

Registering for PharmaCare and Fair PharmaCare

PharmaCare has 12 plans that help B.C. residents pay for prescription medications, medical devices and supplies, and pharmacy services. Fair PharmaCare is one of these plans.

Fair PharmaCare helps B.C. families pay for many prescription drugs, dispensing fees and some medical devices and supplies. The plan is based on income. The less a family earns, the more help they get.

To learn more, visit the BC PharmaCare page.

Seeing a dentist

Dentists and dental hygienists take care of your teeth. Ask friends or settlement workers to recommend dentists and hygienists. You can also find a dentist near you on the BC Dental Association website.

MSP will not pay for dental services in a dentist’s office. If your employer has dental benefits for employees, it may help you pay some of the cost for treatment in a dentist’s office. Ask your employer about dental coverage. Private insurance and employee benefits may pay for more dental services.

MSP will pay for dental surgery that is done in a hospital. If you need dental surgery, you will be sent to a hospital and MSP will cover the cost. Some public health units have dental clinics. They give free dental checkups and cleanings to young children. They may also have low-cost dental care for older children and adults.

The Canadian Dental Care Program can pay part of the cost for many oral (mouth) health care services. This program provides coverage for children under 18, adults over 65, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate. All other eligible residents can to apply for this program as of 2025. 

Find out what the plan pays for, and if you are eligible to apply.

Healthy Kids Program

If you have children, you may be eligible for the Healthy Kids Program. B.C.’s Healthy Kids Program helps low-income families pay for basic dental care, prescription eyeglasses, hearing instruments (hearing aids and tools to help you hear better), or alternative hearing assistance for children under 19.

Ask your eye doctor, dentist, audiologist, or hearing instrument provider for more information on what is covered. Eligibility for the Healthy Kids Program is based on eligibility for Medical Services Plan (MSP) Supplementary Benefits.

Some health tests or doctor visits may have different costs or coverage. Bring your child’s BC Services Card on your visit. It is important to know all the costs. Ask if there will be any extra charges that are not covered by the Healthy Kids Program.

Seeing an eye doctor

Health professionals who specialize in eye care are called optometrists. Some optometrists have their own clinic, and some optometrists work in stores that sell glasses.

MSP pays for 1 routine eye exam by an optometrist each year for:

• children and youth 18 years and younger
• adults 65 years and older

A routine eye exam is when an optometrist checks to make sure your eyes are healthy, even if there are no signs of a problem.

MSP will also pay for eye exams for people 19 to 64 years old if there is a medical need—for example, if your eye is injured, or if you have an eye disease. MSP does not pay for routine eye exams for people 19 to 64 years of age.

Some employers have benefit plans (health insurance coverage) for employees. These plans might help pay for eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. Ask at your work if there is a benefit plan.

Healthy Kids Program

If you have children, you may be eligible for the Healthy Kids Program. B.C.’s Healthy Kids Program helps low-income families pay for basic dental care, prescription eyeglasses, hearing instruments (hearing aids and tools to help you hear better), or alternative hearing assistance for children under 19.

Ask your eye doctor, dentist, audiologist, or hearing instrument provider for more information on what is covered. Eligibility for the Healthy Kids Program is based on eligibility for Medical Services Plan (MSP) Supplementary Benefits.

Some health tests or doctor visits may have different costs or coverage. Bring your child’s BC Services Card on your visit. It is important to know all the costs. Ask if there will be any extra charges that are not covered by the Healthy Kids Program.

Health is not just about having a strong body. Thoughts and emotions are important, too. Sometimes, people feel sad or angry for no clear reason. They may feel depressed, afraid, or anxious. Without help, these mental health problems can cause a lot of pain and last a long time. They can make it difficult to go to work, go to school, take care of your family, or take care of yourself.

If you are having trouble with your emotions, you can talk to your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you do not have a doctor or nurse, talk to someone at your local settlement agency. A settlement worker can help you find someone to talk to. Do not feel ashamed. Many Canadians get help with their mental health. You do not have to deal with the problem by yourself.

Some people may use substances such as pain medicine, alcohol, cannabis, tobacco (cigarettes), or nicotine vapes to manage painful thoughts or feelings. It is legal for adults to buy and use these substances, but they can have very serious health risks. Your doctor may ask if you use them. To learn more about substance use and health, call HealthLink BC toll-free at 8-1-1.

Most B.C. communities have mental health centres. They can help people with mental health and substance use problems—for example, depression, anxiety, and using alcohol and other drugs.

Visit the B.C. government’s Mental Health and Substance Use website for resources, services, and supports that can help with substance use issues.

Find information and resources related to mental health, well-being, and substance use on HealthLink BC.

Substance use can become a crisis—a problem too big and serious to deal with alone. If you are in crisis, you can contact a crisis line for support. You can speak directly to someone about many problems.

Crisis lines can also give you a referral to a mental health service. Contact the Crisis Line Association of BC.

For more resources, see “Mental health crisis and addiction help and support” in the Resources Directory.

There are a lot of choices you can make to keep or improve physical and mental health for you and your family. HealthLinkBC has information about being active, eating healthy food, quitting smoking, getting vaccinated against dangerous diseases, and more. Learn about the programs available.  

Promoting physical health

Being physically active helps prevent and manage chronic (long-term) disease, such as cancer and diabetes. Keeping your body strong makes it easier to stand, walk, stay balanced, and lift things without help. Physical activity can also help ease pain, depression, and anxiety. 

Visit HealthLink BC for information about getting physically active.

Healthy eating reduces the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. HealthLink BC also has information and links about healthy eating, shopping for healthy food, and more. Learn more in Canada's Food Guide.  

Taking care of your heart is one of the most important things you can do to stay strong and healthy. Eating well and being physically active are part of keeping your heart healthy. Visit HealthLink BC for more information about heart health.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation website has lots of information about healthy eating and how it affects heart disease, blood pressure, and cholesterol (fat in the blood).

Drinking less alcohol

Alcohol is a drug that affects you right after you drink it, and also affects you in the future. If you drink alcohol, you have a higher chance of injury (getting hurt), cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. These negative effects can last for a long time. Learn more about the effects and risks of alcohol at HealthLink BC.

Research shows that any amount or kind of alcohol is bad for your health. It doesn’t matter what kind of alcohol it is—wine, beer, cider, and spirits (liquor or hard alcohol) can all harm your health. The more alcohol you drink, the higher the health risks:

• 0 drinks per week: There are benefits to not drinking alcohol. These include better health and better sleep.
• 1-2 drinks per week: You will likely not have many alcohol-related problems.
• 3-6 drinks per week: You have a higher chance of getting some cancers, including breast and colon cancer.
• 7 or more drinks per week: You have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke (bleeding in the brain).

The amount of alcohol you use is measured in the number of drinks. The size of the drink depends on the type of alcohol. This is how drinks are measured in Canada:

• beer: 341 ml (12 oz.), 5% alcohol
• cider: 341 ml (12 oz.), 5% alcohol
• wine: 142 ml (5 oz.), 12% alcohol
• spirits: 43 ml (1.5 oz.), 40% alcohol

Health experts recommend drinking less alcohol and following Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health.

Quitting smoking or vaping

Smoking tobacco cigarettes means you will have a higher risk of cancer, diabetes, heart failure, and other serious medical problems. B.C. has free services to help you quit smoking.

There are medicines to help you quit smoking. PharmaCare can cover part or all of the cost of some medicines. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor to enrol in BC PharmaCare's Smoking Cessation Program. Learn more about the program and what it covers on the website.

Changing your behaviour is easier if you have a plan. QuitNow provides help by phone, text, or chat. A coach will help you make a plan to quit smoking or vaping. Services are available in 150 languages. Learn more on the website.

Taking preventative health care measures

Immunization

Influenza is a virus. It is also called the flu. It can cause serious illness and even death. Some people get so sick with the flu that they go to the hospital. COVID-19 is also a virus. Both the flu and COVID-19 can be dangerous, and they can spread to other people very easily.

There are immunizations (vaccines) available for the flu and COVID-19. Every fall, before flu season begins, public health offices across British Columbia advertise clinics where you can get a free vaccination to reduce your chances of getting sick. You can also check with your family doctor or local pharmacist.

Learn information about influenza and vaccines.

New COVID-19 vaccines become available as new types of the virus appear. You can be vaccinated for free. If you have already been vaccinated outside B.C., or if you want to register to get a COVID-19 vaccination, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

Your chances of getting sick or making other people sick are lower if you keep clean. Wash your hands regularly, and keep your hands away from your face. Clean and disinfect surfaces that a lot of people touch. Stay home if you are sick. Eat healthy and stay physically active. For extra protection, get the flu vaccine.

Cancer screening

Cancer screening means looking for cancer early, before there are signs that you are sick. When cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and you can get better sooner.

BC Cancer has screening programs to help find breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer. The tests are free for British Columbians who are registered with the B.C. Medical Services Plan.

Talk to a health care provider or visit the BC Cancer website to see if screening is right for you. Learn more about the different screening programs.