Some employers choose to set up a group BC MSP plan and pay the premiums on behalf of their employees. The premiums paid are taxable benefits to the employee, and deductible by the business.

Many employees have questions about what is covered by MSP and what is covered by their supplementary employee benefits plan.

Here is a brief summary of the benefits under BC MSP:

Prescription Drugs 

• Pharmacare subsidizes eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies.
• The program is from the B.C. government and is based on family income.
• Pharmacare will pay up to 70% for individuals under 65 and 75% for individuals over 65 after annual deductible.
• Deductible is based on family income.
• Visit the Pharmacare website for more information.

Dental Checkups & Treatment  

• Coverage for some surgical and dental procedures performed in a hospital. Healthy Kids program provides basic dental care to eligible children.

Vision Care 

• Individuals under 18 and over 64 years of age: coverage for eye examinations.
• Individuals over 19 and under 64 years of age: no coverage unless there is a medical condition.
• Healthy Kids program provides basic vision care to eligible children.

Hospital Stay 

• Coverage for basic ward accommodation, normal hospital in-patient services and certain hospital out-patient services.

Registered Specialists

• Individuals who qualify for premium assistance and their families: $23 towards the cost of each visit, for a combined maximum of 10 visits for certain specialties.
• Surgical Podiatry is covered.

Homecare & Nursing 

• Fees apply for various services.
• Seniors receiving GIS and War Veteran's allowance: 100% coverage.

Medical Equipment & Supplies  

• Durable medical equipment and orthotics: not covered.
• Prosthetics: Subject to Pharmacare Plan maximums and deductibles.
• Initial Breast Prostheses: Pharmacare plan provides 100% coverage after deductible; replacements are covered every two years, if necessary.

Ambulance Services 

• Partial coverage for ground transportation: $54 for the first 40 km, then 50¢ per km up to a maximum of $274.

Out-of-Province Physician services and Hospital care  

• Coverage (to B.C. maximums), with the exception of Quebec. Quebec services reimbursed at pre-determined rates.

Out-of-Country Physician services and Hospital care  

• Physician emergency services: 100% coverage (to B.C. maximums).
• Hospital in-patient: coverage of $75 per day.
• Out-patient: no coverage.

Hearing Aids 

• No coverage.

This information is provided to give a general overview of possible coverage. Information is subject to change without notice. For detailed benefits and eligibility criteria, please contact your healthcare provider or provincial government.