Medical coverage for BC residents for up to 2 years absence

Many residents of BC do not realize that their medical coverage may be valid for an absence of up to 24 months, once every 5 years.

Here is the article from the BC Medical website.

Temporary Absence from British Columbia
Residents who will be absent from B.C. for six months or more in a calendar year, should contact Health Insurance BC to confirm continued eligibility and discuss options for continued coverage that may be available during an absence. Please note: having a residential address does not qualify you as a resident for MSP coverage; you must also be physically present in B.C. for six or more months in a calendar year.

You may be eligible to receive coverage for up to 24 consecutive months of absence while temporarily outside B.C. Approval is limited to once in five years for absences that exceed six months in a calendar year.

Yes, we were aware and had made the appropriate arrangements with BC MSP. Many doctors in BC are not even aware of this as I had to educate several of them.

Good to know. Thx.

I realize this an old post, but on I go, I'm from BC and my 2 years are up in Oct. I am 74 and have some health issues. to stay on BC med I suppose I would have to do the 6 month thing. any thoughts?

Yes, you would need to be in BC at least 181 calendar days per year to remain on BC Medical. Some other provinces allow you to be out of the country longer if you are interested in changing your home address but regardless you would still need to go back and forth.