Care coverage extension for long-term vacationers

VICTORIA – Amendments introduced today to the Medicare Protection Act will create authority to set regulations that would allow British Columbians who take longer-term vacations out of the province, such as “snow birds”, to stay on holidays for an extra period of time.

“The Canadian Snowbird Association requested that we extend the six-month residency requirement for Medical Services Plan coverage. Our government listened to them, and we are making the change to permit more flexibility,” said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid.

The maximum time a resident can stay out of the province without losing Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage is six months. Changes to the Medicare Protection Act create new regulation making powers related to residency requirements. It is proposed that a new regulation will allow B.C. residents who are outside of Canada for holidays for six months to have an additional 30 day absence and still maintain their MSP beneficiary status.

“There are many British Columbia seniors who enjoy winters away each year, and this change makes it possible to allow them some extra time away without worrying about losing their MSP coverage,” said Ralph Sultan, Minister of State for Seniors.

The provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador also permit residents to be out of the province for more than six months and still maintain their health-care coverage.