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How to Apply

Last updated on July 2, 2024

All B.C. residents must enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP). See B.C. Services Card section below for more information on completing MSP enrolment and receiving your Personal Health Number (PHN).

If you are new to Canada, apply for MSP as soon as you arrive. Your coverage may start three months after your arrival date in British Columbia. You should get private health care insurance while you wait.

If you are moving from another province, you should arrange for coverage with your former medical plan during the wait period. If your family is not here yet, they need to keep their existing provincial health care. Once they arrive, you can apply to add them to your plan. The wait period for each family member will begin on their individual arrival date.

Coverage Wait Period: New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. may be eligible for coverage after completing a wait period that consists of the balance of the month in which residence is established, plus two months. For more information, visit Coverage Wait Period.

If your MSP coverage will be under a group plan through your employer, union or pension plan, please contact your group administrator for more information on applying.

If you already have MSP coverage and received a letter notifying you to renew your B.C. Services Card, you do not have to submit a new Application for MSP Enrolment; you only need to renew your B.C. Services Card.  Follow the instructions on the letter to renew your card.

B.C. Services Card

To complete MSP enrolment and obtain a B.C. Services Card adult family members will need to follow the steps below.

  • Most adults 18 years and six months of age and older need to visit a BC driver licensing office. You can book an appointment to visit an ICBC driver licensing office at a location and time that suits you. For more information, please visit icbc.com/appointment. If you are unable to make an appointment, walk-in services are available at all ICBC driver licensing locations. Check the ICBC website for office hours at your desired location.
  • At the ICBC driver licensing office, you will need to:
    • Provide primary and secondary identification documents (visit icbc.com/acceptedID for more information);
    • Declare that you are a B.C. resident; and
    • Have your photo taken.

The B.C. Services Card provides eligible B.C. residents with access to provincial health care benefits. Your Personal Health Number (PHN) will be printed on your card. Individuals under 18 years and six months of age and temporary document holders will automatically receive a Non-Photo B.C. Services Card in the mail from HIBC. If you have questions about the B.C. Services Card, please visit gov.bc.ca/bcservicescard.

BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage

You can apply for MSP coverage, Supplementary Benefits and Fair PharmaCare using the B.C. Application for Health and Drug Coverage. You can apply online or by submitting a paper form.

Once your enrolment in MSP is complete, your applications for Supplementary Benefits and Fair PharmaCare will be processed.

Go to BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage

You can apply for MSP online, in person or by mail. Use the option that works best for you.

If you have questions about how to apply for MSP, contact Health Insurance B.C.

Lower Mainland: 604 683-7151
Elsewhere in B.C.: 1 800 663-7100

Health Insurance BC
PO Box 9035 St Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.  V8W 9E3

CAF members are not eligible for MSP coverage, but spouses and child(ren) of CAF members are eligible if they are residents of B.C. CAF members with one or more eligible family members should all apply together with their family. For more information about CAF enrolment, visit: