Enrolling in the Medical Services Plan (MSP): Guide for Physicians

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To ensure that your applications are processed as quickly as possible, without errors or delays, review the tips and follow the steps below to enrol as a physician in MSP.

To apply for your MSP Billing Number

1. Register and obtain your license

All physicians and surgeons who practice in B.C. must first register and be licensed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

• cpsbc.ca/registrants/current-registrants/registration-and-licensing

2. Complete the Application for MSP Billing Number

• https://gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/2991fil.pdf

Before you start:

You’ll need:

• If you are non-Canadian: a copy of your Work Permit or Landed Immigrant Status papers.
  • canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html
• Your CPSBC College ID Number.
• Your CPSBC registration and licensure details including: date registered, license effective and (if applicable) cancellation date.
• Copies of certificates for specialties and sub-specialties listed on the form:
  • Royal College specialty or sub-specialty: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) certificate. 
    • royalcollege.ca
  • Non-Royal College specialty or sub-specialty: certificate from the university or institution from which each specialty was obtained.

When submitting copies of supporting documents, make sure:

• The complete document is included (both sides and all pages) with no details omitted.
• All details are fully readable.

Note: send only copies of documents; original versions will not be returned.

Every section and field on the form must be completed. If you are unable to find any information or complete any fields, contact HIBC. Incomplete forms will not be processed and will delay your application.

3. Complete the Application for Direct Bank Payment from Medical Services Plan (MSP)

•  gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/2832fil.pdf

Submit the Application for Direct Bank Payment at the same time as your Application for MSP Billing Number. Leave the MSP Payment Number field blank. We will notify you of your billing number after processing your application for payment and use it to set up your direct payment.

Before you start:

You’ll need:

• A blank sample cheque from the financial institution where you bank, encoded with:
  • The transit number (5 digits)
  • The institution number (3 digits)
  • The account number
• Your banking institution name, branch name and address.

4. Submit both Applications to Health Insurance BC

Before submitting, make sure:

• Both forms are signed.
• All form fields are filled in.
• You have included complete copies of all supporting documents.

The most common reasons for delayed or returned applications are that they are unsigned or are missing required information. Without an MSP billing number, you will be unable to submit reimbursement claims for services provided under MSP.

Send your applications to Health Insurance BC:

Fax:    (250) 405-3592

Mail:   Health Insurance BC

           Provider Programs

           PO Box 9480 Stn Prov Govt

           Victoria BC V8W 9E7

Please allow 2-5 business days for HIBC to process your applications. Once processed, you will receive a letter welcoming you to MSP and notifying you of your MSP billing number.

The letter will provide links to online resources and information for physicians in B.C.

After you apply for your MSP Billing Number

1. Explore incentives and benefits available to physicians in B.C.

After enrolling in MSP, you may be eligible for incentives and benefits while practicing in British Columbia. Visit the links below to find out more, and to apply.

Rural Practice Programs

Rural Practice Programs works to improve health services in rural areas of the province, managing key programs such as the Rural Retention program and programs under the Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement. 

• gov.bc.ca/MSP/rural-practice-programs

Medical Services Commission (MSC) Payment Schedule and Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Schedule

The MSC Payment Schedule is the list of approved fees paid to enrolled physicians for insured medical services provided to beneficiaries enrolled with MSP.

The LFP Payment Schedule is the list of approved fees paid to eligible family physicians in BC who register for the LFP Payment Model.

• gov.bc.ca/MSP/paymentschedules

Business Cost Premium (BCP)

The BCP offers a premium on fees for eligible services to help cover the rising rent, lease, or ownership costs of a community-based office.

• gov.bc.ca/MSP/BCP

Enhanced Urgent Care Coverage Program (EUCCP)

The EUCCP is a two-year pilot project to improve the criteria for physicians to claim compensation for urgent services provided to B.C. residents eligible for enrolment in MSP but not enrolled.

• gov.bc.ca/MSP/EUCCP

After you receive your MSP Billing Number

1. Complete and submit the Application for Teleplan Service

• gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/2820fil.pdf

Submit the Application for Teleplan Service at the same time as your Application for MSP Billing Number. Leave the MSP Payee Number field blank. We will notify you of your billing number after processing your application for payment and use it to set up your Teleplan access.

Before you start:

You’ll need:

• The type of facility you will bill for
• Your data centre information (Name and Data Centre Number)
• Billing/Business software details (Software name, vendor and supplier)