Services Not Covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) (2024)

Services Not Covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) (1) Last updated on January 23, 2020

MSP does not provide coverage for the following:

  • services that are deemed to be not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery;
  • dental services, except as outlined under benefits;
  • routine eye examinations for persons 19 to 64 years of age;
  • eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances;
  • prescription drugs (see PharmaCare);
  • acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry services (except for MSP beneficiaries receiving supplementary benefits);
  • preventive services and screening tests not supported by evidence of medical effectiveness (for example, routine annual "complete" physical examinations, whole body CT scans, prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests);
  • services of counsellors or psychologists;
  • medical examinations, certificates or tests required for:
    • driving a motor vehicle
    • employment
    • life insurance
    • school or university
    • recreational and sporting activities
    • immigration purposes

Note: The Ministry of Health provides funding through regional Health Authorities for hospital programs, mental health and addictions services, and residential/assisted living. For information about ambulance services, see B.C. Ambulance Service. For information about assistance with prescription drug costs, go to PharmaCare.

Extra Billing

Extra billing involves charging an MSP beneficiary or their representative for a benefit covered by MSP, or for any matter related to the rendering of a medical necessary benefit, unless otherwise permitted by the Medicare Protection Act or by the Medical Services Commission. Benefits covered by MSP are charged directly to MSP. More information can be found on “Additional Fees and Charges” page:

Contact information

If you have questions about what services are covered by MSP, contact Health Insurance BC for more information.

Office
(604) 683-7151 (Lower Mainland)

Office
1-800-663-7100 (Elsewhere in B.C.)

Mailing

Health Insurance BC

PO Box 9035 Stn Prov Govt

Victoria, B.C. V8W 9E3

Services Not Covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Medicare and MSP? ›

MSP: Coordinates benefits when an individual has multiple sources of insurance to determine the primary and secondary payer. Medicare: Provides health coverage primarily for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

What is the full form of MSP in medical terms? ›

Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) is the term generally used when the Medicare program does not have primary payment responsibility - that is, when another entity has the responsibility for paying before Medicare.

Does BC MSP cover dermatology? ›

Am I covered? If your doctor has referred you to one of our dermatologists, The Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) covers the consultation and follow-up appointment fees for five months. After six months, you'll need another referral.

Is wart removal covered by MSP? ›

Request a consultation now! Please note: we do not treat plantar warts (foot warts) using lasers at our clinic, nor internal genital warts at all. Also, laser wart removal is not covered by MSP, nor most private insurance carriers.

What does Medicare not cover? ›

Generally, most vision, dental and hearing services are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. Other services not covered by Medicare Parts A and B include: Routine foot care. Cosmetic surgery.

What is an MSP plan? ›

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) help people with limited income and resources pay for some or all of their Medicare premiums and may also pay their Medicare deductibles and co-insurance.

What is MSP diagnosis? ›

Multisystem proteinopathies (MSPs) are rare genetically heterogenous disorders manifesting with inclusion body myopathy (IBM), neurodegeneration [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/ frontotemporal dementia (FTD)], and Paget disease of bone (PDB), 1 , 2 co‐existing in the same individual or co‐segregating in the same ...

What does MSP stand for in credentialing? ›

The Certification Commission of NAMSS (CCN) has created a new toolkit for medical services professionals (MSPs) to advocate for certification to their leadership.

What does MSP stand for in HR? ›

Short for Managed Service Programme or Managed Service Provider, an MSP is where you outsource some or all of your company's contingent recruitment to an external provider.

What is one thing not covered by the BC Medical Services Plan? ›

Using your MSP insurance

MSP does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care such as eye examinations or corrective lenses, or travel.

Are cortisone injections covered by MSP? ›

Medication costs are not covered by the BC Medical Services Plan. There is a modest medication fee of $10- $40 payable at injection appointments for standard medications such as local anesthetic and cortisone. Our fees were chosen to take into account those under financial hardship.

What medical services are not covered in BC? ›

Accessing Health Services Not Covered By MSP: A Resource Guide for BC Seniors. Jewish Seniors Alliance (JSA) recognizes that in BC, our Medical Services Plan (MSP) specifically excludes coverage of dental, vision, hearing, and other services such as physio, massage, podiatry, and assistive devices.

Does BC MSP cover dental? ›

MSP is the provincial insurance program that pays for required medical services. These include medically necessary services provided by physicians and midwives, dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital, eye examinations if medically required and some orthodontic services.

Is foot care covered by MSP in BC? ›

Preamble and Payment Schedule: Podiatry Services

Surgical podiatry services will be an insured benefit for all beneficiaries of the MSP where such services are medically necessary. The Plan does not pay a podiatrist for taking x-rays.

Does BC MSP cover ambulance? ›

While ambulance service fees are not an insured benefit under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) or the Canada Health Act, fees are heavily subsidized for persons with a valid BC Care Card who are covered by MSP (known as MSP beneficiaries).

Is MSP considered Medicaid? ›

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a Medicaid-administered program that can assist people with limited income in paying for their Medicare premiums. Depending on your income, the MSP may also pay for other cost-sharing expenses.

What is the difference between a Medicare Advantage Plan and a cost plan? ›

But unlike Medicare Advantage plans, a cost plan offers policyholders the option of receiving coverage outside of the network, in which case the Medicare-covered services are paid for through Original Medicare.

What are the two types of Medicare? ›

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

What are 3 types of Medicare Advantage plans? ›

On this page, we've compiled information on the 3 types of Medicare Advantage plans:
  • Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
  • Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
  • Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

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