Have you recently hired some employees from outside of Canada? These new foreign workers are a major asset to your team. So naturally, you want to ensure that you’re doing your best to take care of them. It can be confusing to know where to start in obtaining coverage for your new employees. That’s why we’ve broken down how you can set up extended health coverage for foreign workers in five simple steps.
Step 1: Choose your Plan
The Foreign Workers plan takes the place of British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) while they complete BC’s waiting period.
Choose the plan best suited for your employees’ needs (Individual, Single Parent, Family) and the maximum amount of coverage. You can purchase the coverage within 30 days of the arrival of your new employees. But it’s best to set it up before your employees arrive in Canada so they are covered from the day they land.
Step 2: Complete Visitors to Canada Plan Application Form
Have your new employees complete the Visitors to Canada Plan Application Form as soon as they are hired.
Step 3: Complete MSP Application for Enrollment
Have your new employees complete the MSP Application for Enrollment. You can have them complete this form at the same time as they complete the Visitors to Canada Plan Application form. The new employee will also need to provide identification as indicated on the enrollment form.
Step 4: Mail the Completed MSP form to Health Insurance BC
Mail the completed MSP form to the address below and BC’s MSP will process the application for provincial health coverage. Contact MSP for the status of the application at 1-800-663-7100:
Health Insurance BC, Medical Services Plan, PO Box 9678 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9P7
Step 5: Mail Final Documents to our Office
Mail all other documents, including a cheque (payable to BCCA Employee Benefit Trust) for the coverage amount, to our office:
BCCA Employee Benefits, 4401 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6G9.
After you have mailed all the necessary documents and everything has gone through without a fault, we’ll send you your employees’ travel policy booklet with a certificate number. Coverage will begin the first day they arrive in Canada. If you purchased coverage after they arrived, coverage will begin 72 hours after payment is received. You may choose to enroll your new employee into your regular benefit plan once they have received MSP coverage. If you do not currently have a benefit plan for your employees, contact our trusted advisers to discuss your options.
