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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
How are MSP Premiums billed and when are they due? |
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Businesses receive monthly invoices detailing current premiums and adjustments for their employees. Group invoices are generally mailed during the last week of the month.
Please see About MSP Billing for more information. |
What are the payment options? |
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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? |
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To review persons on account and premium charges, please contact HIBC at 1-877-955-5656 or at 604-683-7520. |
We would like to add
employees and/or employee dependents to our account; how do we do that? |
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Please visit the Ministry of Health Services 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:
HIBC/Medical Services Group Plan
PO Box 9140 Stn Prov Gov
Victoria, BC V8W 9E5
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If we are unable to pay right away, can we have more time? |
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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 Housing and Social Development, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Health Services and Welfare Canada, the Federal and Public Service, publicly funded hospitals and schools boards.
There is no allowance for late payments without incurring interest charges.
Section 32(1) of the Medicare Protection Act reads as follows:
"If a person makes an agreement
- to pay all or part of another person's premiums, or
- 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? |
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 be long. Is there and alternative? |
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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. |
We sent in a application/change form. Can we confirm if it has been processed? |
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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 9140 STN PROV GOVT, VICTORIA BC V8W 9E5 |
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Interest is charged on all overdue group accounts, with the exception of groups that are government sponsored. Examples of government sponsored groups include the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Federal and Provincial Public Service, publicly funded hospitals and school districts. |
What interest rate is charged? |
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- The interest rate used for calculation of group interest is the prime rate plus 3%;
- It is set by the Financial Administration Act, Interest on Overdue Accounts Receivable;
- The interest rate is amended quarterly, on January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1;
- Interest is compounded monthly.
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What is interest calculated on? |
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Interest is calculated on overdue Medical Services Plan group premiums, premium adjustments and previously invoiced interest. Interest is not charged on NSF and other fees. |
How is interest calculated? |
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Interest is calculated and compounded monthly according to the Financial Administration Act rules and will have an immediate due date that is reflected on the invoice.
Interest appearing on your invoice for the first time is calculated from the first day the premium or premium adjustment charge was overdue up to the date of invoicing. Group plan administrators have 30 days to remit payment of the interest amount to avoid further interest charges.
If payment is not received within the 30 day period, interest begins compounding retroactive to the day the interest was due.
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When does interest appear on our invoice? |
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Interest is charged on all overdue group accounts, with the exception of groups that are government sponsored. Once the amount of interest accumulated is greater than $5.00, it will be shown on the next invoice with an immediate due date (see Example 1 and 2).
Example 1 - interest is calculated and held in the system, but it doesn’t appear on the invoice because the total amount is less than $5.
Example 2 - interest is calculated and printed on the invoice to be collected because the total amount is greater than $5 (add example description above the invoice image)
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What happens if we do not pay within 30 days? |
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Once an invoice has been issued that includes accrued interest, group administrators have 30 days to remit payment of that interest amount as well as any other charges included on the invoice.
If payment is received within the 30 day period, no further interest will be charged;
If payment is not received within the 30 day period, interest begins compounding retroactive to the day the interest was due.
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Why were we charged interest? Our payment was cashed before the due date. |
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Please provide proof that the payment was cashed before the due date and the interest can be waived. Please contact the Accounts Management Branch by fax at 250-405-4413. When sending proof of payment please provide a copy of the cheque, both front and back, providing the bank stamp, date, and account number. |
I did not receive a notice. Do I have to pay interest? |
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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. |
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For administrative questions or concerns, contact HIBC at 1-877-955-5656 or at 604-683-7520 or in writing at PO BOX 9140 STN PROV GOVT, VICTORIA BC V8W 9E5.
For billing enquiries, contact Revenue Services of British Columbia at
1 877 405-4909.
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