What Medical Services Are Covered by MSP in British Columbia?

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If a family member feels unwell and needs medical help, what would you do if healthcare were unaffordable? In British Columbia, you don’t have to worry about that because of the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It provides comprehensive medical coverage. Whether it’s a visit for a routine check-up, an emergency, or even special treatments, the MSP will help you get the healthcare you need. But what exactly does MSP cover? How does it benefit senior citizens? Let’s understand!

What Is MSP, and Why Is It Important?

Just as in movies, where superheroes use shields to protect themselves from danger, in British Columbia, that shield protecting you whenever you need medical care is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP).

MSP is the basic insurance program that helps pay for your doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and many other health services. Without MSP, people would have to pay out-of-pocket, which can be really expensive. Thankfully, MSP helps reduce that burden by covering many essential services.

Medical Service Plan

What’s Covered in MSP?

1. Doctor Visits

Have you ever felt sick and needed to see a doctor? The great news is that MSP covers most doctor visits in BC!

MSP will pay for your family doctor’s consultation, which includes:

  • Check-ups
  • Diagnosing illnesses
  • Prescribing medications
  • Referrals to specialists if needed.

2. Visits to Specialists

Yes! If your family doctor refers you to a specialist (like a skin doctor or heart doctor), MSP covers the consultation. However, some tests or treatments may need additional coverage, which we’ll discuss later.

Hospital Stays and Surgeries

If you’ve ever been to the hospital, you know that medical care can get very expensive. Everything adds up, from the doctors to the nurses, the equipment, and even the room where you stay. Fortunately, MSP’s medical coverage takes care of these costs for you.

Here’s what MSP covers when you stay in the hospital:

  • Necessary surgeries (like appendix removal or heart surgery)
  • Diagnostic tests (like X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds)
  • Anesthesia (if you need to be put to sleep for surgery)

Without MSP, surgeries could cost thousands of dollars. It’s a huge relief that MSP takes care of these costs for you.

Does MSP cover all surgeries?
MSP covers medically necessary surgeries. That means surgeries that are needed to treat an illness or injury. Cosmetic surgeries, like nose jobs or tummy tucks that are done for appearance, are not covered.

3. Maternity and Newborn Care

Are you curious about what happens when someone in your family is going to have a baby? MSP ensures that both moms and babies get proper care.

MSP covers:

  • Prenatal care (doctor visits during pregnancy)
  • Delivery (whether it’s a natural birth or C-section)
  • Postnatal care (check-ups after the baby is born)

For example, if a pregnant woman needs regular check-ups with her doctor and eventually gives birth in the hospital, MSP will cover all these services, making sure both mother and baby are healthy and safe.

Now you may ask what about babies after they are born? Once a baby is born, they are also covered by MSP, which means all their medical check-ups, vaccinations, and care are included.

4. Diagnostic Tests

Sometimes, doctors need more information to figure out what’s going on with your health. That’s where diagnostic tests come in. MSP, British Columbia covers a range of these tests to help doctors make the right diagnosis.

MSP covers:

  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests
  • X-rays
  • MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
  • CT scans

These tests help doctors understand your condition better so they can provide the right treatment.

Another query comes to mind, “Are all tests covered by MSP?” 
Yes, most medically necessary tests are covered, but certain tests, like some fertility treatments or cosmetic assessments, may not be included under MSP.

What’s Not Covered by MSP?

Now that you know what MSP covers, it’s important to understand what it doesn’t cover, so you’re not surprised.

Here are a few services that MSP does not cover:

  • Prescription medications (as mentioned earlier)
  • Dental care (like cleanings or fillings)
  • Eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • Cosmetic surgeries
  • Alternative treatments (like acupuncture or homeopathy)

Here’s a big question many people ask: Are prescription medications covered by MSP? Unfortunately, the answer is no! MSP does not cover medications, but there’s another program called PharmaCare that might help.

Supplementary Benefits under MSP in British Columbia

Supplementary Benefits are additional coverage provided through MSP for certain services. These benefits help with partial payments for:

  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic care
  • Massage therapy
  • Naturopathy
  • Physical therapy
  • Non-surgical podiatry

Eligibility for Supplementary Benefits

To qualify for MSP Supplementary Benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in MSP.
  • Be a resident of British Columbia as defined by the Medicare Protection Act.
  • Have lived in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for at least the past 12 months.
  • Not be exempt from paying income tax under any other act.

Eligibility is also based on your net income from the previous year. For most individuals, if the adjusted net income is less than $42,000, they may qualify for Supplementary Benefits. This includes specific groups such as:

  • Income Assistance recipients
  • Convention refugees
  • Inmates of B.C. Correctional Facilities
  • Residents in long-term care receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • Mental Health Clients
  • First Nations individuals who are covered under the BC Medical Plan through the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

Coverage Details

For eligible individuals, MSP provides:

  • $23 per visit for the mentioned supplementary services.
  • You are allowed a total of 10 visits per year for these services combined.

What’s Not Covered?

  • MSP does not cover supplementary benefits if received outside of British Columbia.
  • Many supplementary benefits practitioners opt out of MSP, which means they can charge more than what MSP reimburses. Patients will be informed about the additional charges before the treatment.

Application and Income Verification

To apply for Supplementary Benefits:

  • Complete the BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage: Submit the BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage to apply for MSP, Fair PharmaCare, and Supplementary Benefits all at once.
  • Income Verification: The application requires permission to access your Notice of Assessment or Reassessment from the CRA to verify income.

You only need to apply once if you remain eligible for MSP coverage and file your taxes annually. If your eligibility changes due to changes in income or tax returns, you should update Health Insurance BC.

What is MSP Coverage for Seniors?

In 2024, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in British Columbia will help seniors get the medical care they need. Here’s what it means for them:

  • What MSP Covers: MSP pays for doctor visits, surgeries, and treatments that are necessary for good health. If seniors need to go to the hospital or see a doctor, MSP helps cover the costs.
  • No Monthly Payments: Since January 2020, seniors don’t have to pay monthly fees to get MSP coverage. It’s free for all BC residents.
  • Extra Help for Medicine: While MSP covers doctor visits and treatments, it doesn’t cover everything. Seniors can get extra help from BC PharmaCare (a program that helps pay for prescription medicine). Depending on income, age, or medical condition, PharmaCare may cover part or all of the medication costs.
  • Who Can Get MSP: Seniors who live in BC can apply for MSP through Health Insurance BC (an organization that manages the MSP and PharmaCare on behalf of the government of British Columbia). The process is simple, and they just need to meet the rules for being a BC resident.

Is physiotherapy covered by MSP? 
No, MSP does not typically cover physiotherapy. However, Some exceptions may apply for low-income individuals through MSP supplementary benefits.

Conclusion

So, what medical services are covered by MSP in British Columbia? The short answer is: a lot! From doctor visits to hospital care and surgeries, MSP helps ensure you get the medical services you need without having to worry about huge medical bills. While it doesn’t cover everything (like medications, dental, or vision care), MSP covers most essential services, keeping you healthy and safe.

MSP is there to be your health ally when you need it most. And if you’re looking for physiotherapy in Surrey, reach out to Khalsa Physiotherapy Clinic—we’re here to help you move better and feel better!