Medical Coverage - what you need while you are studying in BC
While you are studying in BC you will need to ensure that you have medical
insurance. If you are in BC for less than six months, private insurance is required.
Private Medical Insurance
Private medical insurance is necessary if you are coming to a BC institution
for less than 6 months. Some students continue to use private insurance if they
are staying for longer than 6 months, and if this is so make sure you find out
all the specific information about your private medical coverage before you arrive.
When you are using private insurance, it is possible that doctors and hospitals
in BC will require you to pay for medical services at the time you are treated
and it is the student's responsibility to seek reimbursement from his or her insurance
company.
When purchasing private insurance it is advisable to compare plans to ensure
that the benefits provide comprehensive coverage. A total coverage of at least
$1 million CAD and a daily bed rate of at least $5000 CAD is recommended.
If you are going to be in British Columbia for longer than 6 months you may
be eligible to receive medical services through the BC
Medical Services Plan.
British Columbia's medical coverage - if you are in BC for longer than six
months
Provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Enrolment in the BC Provincial Government Medical Services Plan (MSP) is required
by law of all BC residents and their dependants. International students who receive,
on entry to Canada, a student authorization that is valid for six or more months,
and who continue to retain such valid authorization qualify as residents. (This
includes students who originally enter Canada as a visitor and later re-enter
Canada with a student authorization issued for at least six months. Students who
initially come to Canada with a student authorization of less than six months
and later extend it beyond six months also qualify for MSP.) A copy of the student
authorization must be provided when applying to MSP and coverage discontinues
when the student authorization expires.
Further information about MSP coverage is available here.
International students coming to study for at least six months are required
to apply for enrolment in MSP as soon as they arrive in BC. (Applying to MSP late
in one's term of residency may result in retroactive charges.) In the case of
new residents, coverage does not take effect until the end of the "waiting
period", which consists of the balance of the month in which residency in
BC is established, plus two months (3 months total). You will need private insurance
for this 3 month period.
Extended Health Insurance Plans
Extended health insurance plans provide coverage over and above basic health
insurance plans. Extended health plans usually provide coverage for services such
as out-of-country medical expenses (travel insurance), prescription drugs, dental
care, and vision care. In order to make a claim on an extended health plan, you
must first have basic health insurance.
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