Medical Services Plan
Last updated on May 15, 2024The policies and procedures for enrolling with MSP and receiving payment for the medical services provided to patients vary from one type of practitioner to the next. Find resources and information related to your specific type of medical practice.
Practitioner-Specific Information
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Massage Therapists
- Naturopaths
- Osteopaths
- Physiotherapists
- Midwives
- Nurse Practitioners
- Registered Nurses (Certified)
- Diagnostic Facilities
Claim Submission & Payment
In order to be paid for the services a practitioner has provided to MSP beneficiaries, a claim must be submitted to MSP. Learn more about how practitioners bill MSP, what happens if their claim is refused and what is being done to prevent unethical billing.
Assignment of New Teleplan Data Centre Numbers
Data Centre numbers for practitioner claims are currently defines throughout the MSP Claims system as an alphanumeric character field of five in length, beginning with T, M or V. No later than July 31, 2022, the format of Data Centre numbers will be expanded to include alphanumeric strings starting with other letters.
Learn more about the update here.
Replacement of Service Location Code 'A'
Service Location Code value 'A' (Practitioner’s Office) for practitioner claims was replaced with new codes. Claims submitted with Service Location Code 'A' for services provided will be refused and require a new Service Location Code selection.
Learn more about the update here.
Change to newly issued practitioner and payee numbers value, and specialty codes value: Effective June 1, 2022
Effective June 1, 2022, newly issued practitioner and payee numbers and specialty codes will be issued as alphanumeric values. Existing specialty codes and practitioner and payee numbers issued before June 1, 2022 will remain valid.
Learn more about the change.
Billing Integrity Program
The Billing Integrity Program provides audit services to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and the Medical Services Commission (the Commission).
Opting Out of MSP
Physicians and supplementary benefits practitioners are not required to enroll with MSP. If a practitioner chooses to not enroll, they are allowed to charge patients more for a service than is set out in the applicable Payment Schedule. Learn more about the different choices for opting out.
Referrals for Services Outside of Canada
Sometimes it is in a patient’s best interest to receive medical services outside of Canada. If a B.C. specialist physician recommends medical treatment in another country, the specialist must request provincial coverage. Learn more about this process, including what types of medical services are permitted and how to request coverage.
Contact Us
If you have questions about MSP, contact us.