Do you charge interest on late payments?
	How are MSP Premiums billed and when are they due?
	What are the payment options?
	What should we do if we disagree with the MSP Premium charges?
	We would like to add new employees to our account; how do we do that?
	Why were we charged interest? Our payment was cashed before the due date.
	If we are unable to pay right away, can we have more time?
	We have some lower income employees; do they qualify for the Premium Assistance subsidy?
	I would like to set up an MSP group plan for my employees. How can I do this?
	The wait times for processing paperwork seem to long. Is there an alternative?
	I did not receive a notice. Do I have to pay interest?
	We sent in an application/change form. Can we confirm if it has been processed?
	How do we contact you?

Answers:

Do you charge interest on late payments?

Late payments to pay direct accounts DO NOT accrue interest. Late payments on Group accounts accrue interest based on the rate dictated by the Financial Administration Act.

How are MSP Premiums billed and when are they due?

Businesses receive monthly invoices detailing current premiums and adjustments for their employees. Group invoices are generally mailed during the last week of the month.

What are the payment options?

There are several ways for your business to pay MSP Premiums. Please see Make a Payment to view a list of the payment options.

What should we do if we disagree with the MSP Premium charges?

We would like to add employees and/or employee dependents to our account; how do we do that?

Please visit the Ministry of Health website, MSP Coverage for Group Administrators (opens in new window).

You can also contact HIBC directly:

Phone:

1-877-955-5656 or 604-683-7520

Mail:

Ministry of Health
PO BOX 9482 STN PROV GOVT
VICTORIA BC  V8W 9W6

Why were we charged interest? Our payment was cashed before the due date.

If we are unable to pay right away, can we have more time?

Interest will be charged on all group accounts except for Groups that are government sponsored. Government sponsored accounts are those such as the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Health and Welfare Canada, the Federal and Public Service, publicly funded hospitals and schools boards.

There is no allowance for late payments without receiving interest charges.

Section 32(1) of the Medicare Protection Act reads as follows:

"If a person makes an agreement

1. to pay all or part of another person's premiums, or
2. to collect premiums from another person for remission to the commission,

that person MUST pay premiums to the commission in the manner and at the times specified by the commission."

We have some lower income employees; do they qualify for the Premium Assistance subsidy?

The employee MAY qualify. You can review the income thresholds for Premium Assistance as well the application forms by visiting www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium.html#assistance (opens in new window)

I would like to set up an MSP group plan for my employees. How can I do this?

Information for setting up a group account can be found on the Ministry of Health website (opens in new window).

The wait times for processing paperwork seem to be long. Is there and alternative?

Yes. MSP Direct is an online business service that allows group plan administrators to do adjustments to accounts through electronic rather than paper processes. This reduces turn-around times from weeks to seconds and keeps premium billings current. For additional information, see MSP Direct.

I did not receive a notice. Do I have to pay interest?

If you have moved recently, we may have your old address on file and the notice may have been sent to that address. However, if you did not receive a notice, or received a late notice, interest continues to be charged.

Please notify us with your new mailing address. When Canada Post returns mail as undeliverable, we do our best to locate your correct address and send another notice.

We sent in a application/change form. Can we confirm if it has been processed?

In most cases, Health Insurance BC can confirm if an unprocessed application or change form has been received. However, please keep a copy of any forms you send to Health Insurance BC for your reference.

Please contact HIBC at 1-877-955-5656 or at 604-683-7520 or in writing at PO BOX 9482 STN PROV GOVT, VICTORIA BC  V8W 9W6.

How do we contact you?

For administrative questions or concerns, contact HIBC at 1-877-955-5656 or at 604-683-7520 or in writing at PO BOX 9482 STN PROV GOVT, VICTORIA BC  V8W 9W6.