MSP Premium Elimination: Jan. 1, 2020
Last updated on January 1, 2020Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums were eliminated as of January 1, 2020. The sections below provide useful information about premium elimination.
Elimination of MSP Premiums
British Columbia (B.C.) residents are no longer charged MSP premiums. The MSP program continues to provide provincially-insured health care benefits for eligible BC residents. Enrolment in MSP remains mandatory for all residents.
B.C. residents must continue to fulfill their MSP obligations under the Medicare Protection Act, including updating their MSP account due to address changes. HIBC and the Ministry of Health offer easy online services to ensure that their MSP account information and address stay current. To update an MSP account, beneficiaries can visit gov.bc.ca/managingyourMSPaccount.
MSP Group Plans Remain Active
Although MSP premiums have been eliminated, MSP Group Plans remain active and continue to administer their member’s MSP accounts. MSP Direct remains available for those who wish to utilize it.
If your organization does not wish to continue to administer MSP for your members, see the Cancelling Your Group Plan section.
Final MSP Premium Invoice
The final monthly MSP premium invoice was distributed to MSP Group Plans in November 2019 for December 2019 premiums. New MSP invoices will be generated only in cases of retroactive account changes or outstanding MSP premiums.
Premium debt owed prior to January 1, 2020 remains a debt payable to the province. Revenue Services of British Columbia will continue to bill for unpaid premiums. For information on how to pay outstanding premiums, visit Pay Your Invoice.
MSP Account Structure
The structure of MSP accounts remains the same. Accounts include an account holder and, if applicable, a spouse and/or children. All new and returning residents are required to complete two steps for MSP enrolment: submit an Application for MSP Enrolment to Health Insurance BC (HIBC); and obtain a BC Services Card by visiting an Insurance Corporation of BC driver licensing office.
Note: as of January 1, 2020, individuals applying for MSP enrolment on group accounts who have not completed enrolment by obtaining a BC Services Card will not be placed on self-administered accounts. All group members will be placed on your group account. Those who have completed enrolment will be placed on the account with active MSP coverage. Those who have not completed enrolment will be placed on the account with pending (inactive) MSP coverage.
For more information on how to apply for MSP coverage, visit Eligibility and Enrolment.
Cancelling Your Group Plan
Cancelling an MSP Group Plan is a significant undertaking which must be carefully considered. If your organization decides to cancel its MSP group(s), you must:
- Submit an MSP Group Plan Termination Form (HLTH 295) to HIBC with at least 90 days’ notice;
- Notify your third-party organizations and technical interface providers as appropriate;
- Notify your group members and confirm that all address and family structure information in MSP is correct before termination of the group plan.
If your group ceases administering MSP coverage, your members will automatically be placed on self-administered plans. HIBC will notify your members when self-administered coverage is established.
For more information visit Group Plan Cancellation.
Supplementary Benefits
MSP supplementary benefits provide partial payment for certain medical services obtained in B.C. (for example, massage therapy and chiropractic services) and may provide access to other income-based programs. To apply for supplementary benefits, those who have not applied in the past for Regular Premium Assistance must submit an Application for Supplementary Benefits. Visit Supplementary Benefits for information about how to apply.