Population Data BC provides researchers with the MSP payment data organized by the date services are provided, rather than the payment date. We believe data organized by service date will be more useful and relevant to researchers than data organized by the date payment for a service is made.

Background information from the BC Ministry of Health Services metadata dictionary, 2006

"Established in 1965, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the publicly funded program that pays for medical and health care services on behalf of residents of British Columbia. This includes all medically required services of general practitioners and specialists; laboratory services and diagnostic procedures, including x-rays and ultrasound examinations; and dental and oral surgery when performed in hospital.

British Columbia residents automatically qualify for PharmaCare coverage by registering with the Medical Services Plan. Pharmacare has seven different plans which target specific sub-sets of the population.

Plan A - Senior Citizens

Plan A provides assistance to BC seniors. Residents aged 65 and older who are registered with the Ministry of Health are provided with a gold CareCard. New senior residents to BC receive gold care cards once medical coverage is in effect.