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MSP extends to temporary residents for COVID-19 related claims

MSP expands to cover virus

Temporary foreign workers, international students and all uninsured patients in British Columbia will now have immediate access to MSP coverage for COVID-19 related claims.

Grassroots organization Sanctuary Health member Omar Chu says they are thrilled with the B.C. Government’s recent decision, as they've been lobbying for the Ministry of Health to make the changes for a long time. 

Many private insurers are not offering COVID-related care for temporary foreign workers, and therefore the Ministry felt it was essential to make MSP accessible for everyone to get that care, says Chu. 

"We were extremely worried for many people who were uninsured, who didn’t know what to do if they were to need healthcare during this time... there was an initial sense of confusion about what this means and will people have care? Certainly, there was some relief that a stream that has been built for uninsured people, but we’re still committed to fighting to make sure that actually works for people and that they actually have the care that they need."

The new COVID-19 stream means that if someone who is uninsured is directed by 811 or another medical professional to get COVID-related care, the province will cover those medical expenses.

There will be no coverage for any care not directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which Sanctuary Health wants to see changed. 

"We're calling for full coverage for people who are currently uninsured because it shouldn’t be on medical professionals to be considering what’s COVID-related care or not. They don’t have time to do that - they just need to make the best decision."

Chu says this must be taken into consideration, as well as questions like whether patients are covered for conditions that could decrease their immunity to COVID or place an extra burden on the hospital system during this time.

"For example, someone comes in with asthma - is treating the asthma that considered COVID-related care? Because if they were to receive COVID later, it would impact their chances. It's not clear." 

The three-month wait period for access to MSP in British Columbia has also been waived, ensuring that workers who have just arrived in Canada or been here less than three months can get immediate access to care.

"It looks like for as long as the province considers this a crisis they will waive the three-month wait period and provide people care upon arrival. We hope that continues, and we will push for that to continue beyond the current crisis because we don’t think it’s a good policy."

UBC infectious disease specialist Dr. Srinivas Murthy, who is leading a national research effort to improve clinical management of COVID-19, says this is a step in the right direction. 

“There is no ‘us’ against ’them’ in a pandemic. As B.C. and the world try to control the spread and mitigate the effects of COVID-19, it is vital for us to understand that our health is dependent on each other. Barriers to healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations, only increase risk.

"Covering COVID-19 related care is a good step forward but it should not stop there. It is important for preventative and primary care to be accessible to everyone too," Murthy said. 



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