British Columbia Newcomers' Guide
to Resources and Services

Health Care

In this chapter:

• B.C. health insurance
• Emergencies
• Doctors
• Prescription drugs
• Dentists
• Public health units

B.C. health insurance

The Government of British Columbia has a hospital insurance and a medical insurance plan. These plans are for British Columbia residents only. Canadian citizens, landed immigrants and convention refugees are all eligible.

Registering for health insurance

You do not need to register or pay for hospital insurance. To receive insurance through the Medical Services Plan (MSP), for medical services including doctors’ fees, you must register. If you don’t, you will have to pay for these services yourself, and you may find the cost very high.

It is important to register for medical insurance as soon as you arrive in British Columbia. Phone an MSP office to find out how. In Vancouver, call 604 683-7151. In Victoria, call 250 386-7171 or 250 382-8406. Elsewhere in B.C., call 1-800-663-7100.

After registering, you will not get insurance protection immediately; you will need to complete a waiting period that includes the rest of the month in which you became a resident of British Columbia, plus two months. You should get temporary insurance from a private company for the waiting period. Look in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Insurance Companies – Other Than Life."

When your MSP coverage begins, everyone in your family will get a "CareCard." People 65 years old and older get a special Gold CareCard. Each card has the person’s name and a personal health number. Sign your card, and always take it with you when you visit a doctor or hospital.

Health insurance fees

MSP insurance coverage is not free. You must pay a monthly fee. The costs per month are different if you are:

• a single person
• a family of two
• a family of three or more.

Phone an MSP office to find out about costs.

Some government-sponsored refugees are eligible for free MSP coverage. Check with the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Call Centre or an immigrant settlement agency (see the agency listing in the first chapter).

If you have a job, your payments may be taken off your pay cheque.

What if you don’t have much money? You may be able to pay less money for health insurance if you have lived in Canada for more than one year. Contact an MSP office for more information.

Refugee claimants

Refugee claimants do not have CareCards, but they may need to see a doctor.

If a problem is urgent, refugee claimants can get medical attention for specific conditions with the "Interim Federal Health" paper issued to them by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The Canadian government will pay the costs.

Emergencies

What if you have an accident or suddenly get very sick? You should go to the Emergency Department of a hospital. Many of these are open 24 hours a day. If you need an interpreter, it is a good idea to take a family member or a friend who can speak English.

Calling an ambulance

If you need an ambulance, call 911 or the emergency phone number in your area. This number is usually at the front of the telephone book.

Ask for an ambulance. The ambulance will take you to the Emergency Department.

MSP will not pay for an ambulance. If you go in the ambulance, you will have to pay for it. You don’t have to pay right away.

Hospital costs

You don’t have to pay for hospital costs if you are a permanent resident. If you are a refugee claimant, you must get the "Interim Federal Health" paper from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada office to go to a hospital. The Canadian government will pay the hospital costs.

Types of doctors

There are two types of doctors in British Columbia: family doctors and specialists.

Family doctors take care of most medical problems. You can also talk to your family doctor about family planning, nutrition, and emotional problems.

Specialists treat special health problems, such as heart disease.

If you are sick, go to a family doctor first. Your family doctor may refer (send) you to a specialist. If you think you need to see a specialist, you must talk to your family doctor first.

Finding a family doctor

How can you find a family doctor?

• Ask your friends, neighbours, or other people in your community.
• Talk to people at an immigrant settlement agency. You may be able to find a doctor who speaks your language.
• Some hospitals have a list of doctors who are taking new patients.
• Look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under "Physicians and Surgeons."

Making an appointment

Before you go to the doctor, you should telephone the doctor’s office for an appointment. Always take your CareCard with you when you visit a doctor.

Prescription drugs

You must have a doctor’s prescription (written permission) to buy prescription drugs (medicine) at a pharmacy (drugstore). The pharmacist will explain how often and how long you must take the medicine.

You can buy some drugs without a prescription. These are called nonprescription drugs or "over-thecounter" drugs. These are usually for less serious problems, such as colds or allergies. If you have a question about over-the-counter drugs, ask your pharmacist.

Pharmacare program

Pharmacare is a B.C. government program. If you are a permanent resident of British Columbia and have MSP coverage, Pharmacare may pay for some of the cost of prescription drugs you have bought in B.C. You can find out more about Pharmacare from your pharmacist, or you can call Pharmacare. In Vancouver, call
604 682-6849. In Victoria, call 250 952-2866. Elsewhere in B.C., call 1-800-554-0250.

Dentists

Check with friends, immigrant settlement agencies, or the Yellow Pages to find a dentist. Call the dentist’s office to make an appointment.

MSP will not pay for regular dental services. If you have a job, your employer may have a dental plan that you can join. Under the Healthy Kids Program, children under age 19 whose family is in receipt of premium assistance through MSP will be eligible for limited dental coverage if the family is not covered by an employer. Ask your dentist for more information.

Some public health units have dental clinics. They give free dental checkups and cleanings to young children and low-cost dental care to older children and adults.

To find out what dental services are available in your community, look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book under public or community health. For Vancouver, look up "dental clinics" in the Cities and Municipalities section.

Public health units

Many communities have public health units. These are medical offices where community health nurses and doctors give free health care information to families.

If you have a serious health problem, a public health nurse may be able to help you in your home. These nurses can also help women prepare for a new baby and visit them at home after the baby is born. They will also give immunizations to babies and children against diseases, such as polio and measles.

To find a health unit in your area, look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book. Look for the "Health Authorities" section. It is after the Government of British Columbia listings and before the Municipal Government listings. You can also call the Health Information Line. In Vancouver, call 604 683-7151. In Victoria, call 250 952-1742. Elsewhere in B.C., call 1-800-465-4911.

Emotional problems

Sometimes immigrants have emotional problems. They may feel homesick, afraid, forgetful, or hopeless. If you feel upset, talk to your doctor, or a counsellor at an immigrant settlement agency.

What if someone needs more help than this? There are Mental Health Centres in most B.C. communities. People at these centres can help. To find the mental health centre nearest you, look in the White Pages of the telephone book under "Mental Health Centres."

Eye exams and eyeglasses

If you need an eye examination, talk to your family doctor or look in the Yellow Pages under "Optometrists."

Under the Healthy Kids Program, children under age 19 whose family is in receipt of premium assistance through MSP will have basic eyeglasses paid for if the family is not covered by an employer. Ask your optician/optometrist for further information.

Go to next page: Chapter 5, Money and Banking

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