Posted by Wanda
MSP Premium Changes
MSP Premium Rate Changes effective Jan. 1, 2018
In January 2018, MSP premium rates and the Regular Premium Assistance program are changing.
Health Care
Overview
One of the main health care plan differences between Sask and Vancouver Island is BC’s requirement to pay a monthly premium by those eligible for the services.
The cost is 2016 $136.00/couple but it is going up to$156.00/couple in 2017. If the age of you or your spouse is over 65 you can claim a $3000.00 yearly tax exemption.
The second difference is the overall health care “Report card ranking” which ranks BC an “A”. This makes it the top ranking province in Canada and in the top three ranking globally (on par with Sweden and Switzerland).
Saskatchewan ranks a “D” which puts it second from the bottom (along with Manitoba and just one above the US).
BC/Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island Health Authority is responsible for health care on the island. Unlike Regina, those we talked to had no trouble finding a family doctor, and dentists are plentiful (13 in Duncan alone). There are modern urgent care centres in Ladysmith (10 km away), Chemainus and a regional hospital in Duncan (18 km away).
There is an extensive system of laboratories in BC and a province wide electronic system to deliver lab results to doctors directly. In most cases results are available the same or next day.
MSP Medical Services Plan
MSP has a website that does an excellent job linking residents to the most current information regarding the plan.
MSP Medical Services Plan – Click here to view
Overview PDF of BC MSP – Click to view
Waiting period – Click to view
How to Apply (online link to application) – Click to view
eHealth
eHealth – BC has been transitioning since 2009 toward an online record administration system, which will allow authorized health professional access to an online lifetime personal electronic health record of every individual in BC.
PharmaCare
PharmaCare Assistance (extra coverage for catastrophic drug costs, no premiums are paid for this) and all eligible British Columbians are encouraged to register for the plan.
BC’s Fair PharmaCare plan provides B.C. families with coverage for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies, based on their net income. Fair PharmaCare also ensures that B.C. residents, regardless of income, are protected from catastrophic drug costs.
Saskatchewan
Sask Health Services
Saskatchewan offers residents universal health service with no premiums, however wait times for surgery and tests in this province are notoriously long. It is more difficult to keep doctors and nurses in this province so hospitals and health centers are quite often short staffed. Finding a new physician is challenging as many Sask doctors are no longer accepting new patients.
Sask Health Benefits – Click here to view
Saskatchewan eHealth (Sask’s online record administration system) is in the works but the province has only been transitioning to this system since 2011.
For more Saskatchewan eHealth information – Click here
Other Comparison Links
Provincial and Territorial Ranking – Source The Conference Board of Canada
“B.C. is the top-placing province, scoring an “A” on the health report card and ranking third overall, after Switzerland and Sweden.”
“Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia do poorly and get overall “D” grades on health.”
“Saskatchewan ranks second-to-last among the provinces, 24th overall, and like Manitoba, better than only one peer country, the United States.”
“B.C. is the healthiest province in Canada; Ranked 3rd in the world”
Fraser Adventure . com 