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15 health services that are free with MSP in BC

Fifteen services BC residents with MSP generally do not pay for, from doctor visits and 811 to screening, vaccines and interpreters, plus the common items that are not free.

Updated 2026-10-13

The short answer

In BC, valid MSP coverage does more than pay for doctor visits. Pharmacist assessments, several screening programs, flu shots, smoking-cessation products and phone interpreting are also free to the patient. The 15 items below are grouped by type; check each official page for current eligibility.

Doctor visits and tests

  1. Visit fees at family doctors, walk-in clinics and UPCCs (urgent and primary care centres).
  2. Emergency care and hospital stays.
  3. Lab tests, X-rays and ultrasounds ordered by a doctor.

Phone and pharmacy

  1. Call 811: nurses 24 hours a day, pharmacists from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., dietitians on weekday daytimes.
  2. Pharmacists can assess and prescribe for 21 minor conditions, such as urinary tract infections, pink eye, acne and shingles. BC residents pay no fee for the in-person assessment.[1]
  3. More than 60 prescription contraceptives, including the pill, injections, IUDs and implants. Bring your BC Services Card to the pharmacy.[2][3]

Cancer screening

  1. Cervix screening: ages 25–69, every 3 to 5 years; you can request a self-collection kit to use at home.[4]
  2. Mammograms: ages 40–74 can self-book at 1-800-663-9203 without a referral, but must name a health-care provider to receive the results.[5]
  3. Colon cancer FIT test: ages 50–74, every two years. If you have no family doctor, BC Cancer lists online clinics that can issue the requisition.[6]

Vaccines, quitting smoking and rescue medication

  1. Flu shot: free for BC residents aged 6 months and older.[7]
  2. Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges: no prescription needed, one course a year of up to 12 weeks.[8]
  3. Naloxone (the rescue medication for opioid overdose): available at many pharmacies.[9]

By age, condition and language

  1. Routine eye exams: paid by MSP for people 18 and under and 65 and over. Some optometrists charge extra, so ask when booking.[10]
  2. Common diabetes drugs: insulin, metformin, gliclazide, empagliflozin and others are fully covered through Plan NP since March 2026. Ozempic is not included.[3]
  3. Medical interpreting: free in hospitals, emergency departments and UPCCs; family doctors and specialist clinics can also use the province's phone interpreting service.[11]

What is not on the free list

ItemStatus
Shingles vaccineNot publicly funded in BC; two doses. Older HealthLink BC material (2019) gives about $150 per dose; confirm the current price with a pharmacy [13][15]
PSA prostate screening (no symptoms)Paid out of pocket, about $35 [14]
Dental care, eyeglassesNot covered by MSP
Physiotherapy, massage, acupunctureHouseholds with adjusted net income under $42,000: MSP pays $23 per visit, up to 10 visits a year across all types [12]
This summary reflects information as of October 2026. Eligibility, age ranges and drug lists can change, so rely on the official BC government, BC Cancer and HealthLink BC pages. In an emergency call 911; for health advice call 811.

Sources