Fees for non-residents and uninsured residents
Every patient visiting a BC hospital is cared for with kindness, compassion and respect. There is a cost to providing health care services, and patients will be billed if not covered by provincial health-care coverage.
The information on this page is for people who do not have British Columbia (BC) or other provincial health insurance. You are required to pay for the health services you receive.
We will bill you for the medical services provided by our care teams. Your family doctor and any specialists you see in Canada will bill you separately for the care they provide. If you were brought to the hospital by ambulance, the BC Ambulance Service will also send a separate bill for their services.
Uninsured Residents of Canada
People living in Canada who do not have any current health care coverage are ‘uninsured’. ‘Current health care coverage’ means you are enrolled with the BC Medical Services Plan (or another province’s plan). Your coverage is current (or valid) the day your coverage begins (effective date). If you receive health care services before this date, then you are ‘uninsured’.
An 'uninsured' person is a:
- BC resident without current BC Services Card (personal health number).
- BC resident without any current health care coverage from another province.
- Resident of another Canadian province without current health care coverage from that province.
- Resident in Canada with valid residency status, from another country (e.g. landed immigrant, holder of certain student visas or work visas, etc.)
- Canadian citizens returning to Canada after being resident of another country.
If you come to the hospital because you hurt yourself at work and did not file a claim with WorkSafeBC for this work-related injury, then you are also considered ‘Uninsured’. You are responsible to pay for your care until WorkSafeBC pays for your care.
Non-Resident of Canada
People who are visitors to Canada are charged ‘non-resident’ fees.
A 'non-resident' person is a:
- Visitor to Canada.
- Landed Immigrant/Canadian Citizen living in another country.
- Resident of another country who is in Canada without valid residency status, such as someone without landed immigration papers, certain student or work visas, etc.
- Refugee claimant who does not have valid “Interim Federal Health Coverage” from the Canadian government.
Types of chargesThis section explains who is responsible for paying different types of care and services. The cost of care is set by the BC Ministry of Health. If you have questions, please call PHSA Revenue Services Department at 604-297-8512.
Emergency and out-patient charges (Schedule A)
If you are treated in the Emergency Department, or an Ambulatory Clinic, a ‘Visit fee’ and a ‘Doctor Fee’ will be charged. These fees are in addition to any other fees for healthcare services or medical supplies provided.
If you are a Quebec resident, you must pay the ‘Doctor Fee’ yourself. Submit your claim to your Quebec Medical Plan to pay you back.
Even if you have health insurance, you must pay for all Emergency and out-patient charges yourself. Submit your claim to your insurance company for reimbursement.
If you come to the hospital two or more times in a day, we charge you each time, unless our services were not available on the first visit.
In-patient charges(Schedule B)
Per diem fees, operating room use, and other fees represent the base amount to cover the cost of your hospital stay. It does not include lab tests, X-ray tests (such as CT scans, MRIs, or basic X-rays), medical supplies, prosthetics, implanted items (such as pacemakers), and other services not covered under the base amount. Should you need services that are more than what is included in the base amount, we will bill you for the extra fees. Also, these fees do not include the fees from the doctor who looks after you. When you come into the hospital, you must read and sign the Patient Intake Form. This includes:
- An ‘Assignment of Benefit’ agreement - This allows us to bill your health insurance company directly (where eligible), who then pays us.
- A ‘Consent to Use Information’- This allows us to give your insurance company medical information about you so they can approve the fees owing to us.
- A ‘Consent to Receive Billing Information by e-mail’ – This allows us to communicate your charges to you by e-mail rather than regular mail.
If we are unable to recover the amount owing from your insurance carrier, you must pay us directly. You will need to submit a claim directly to your insurance company for reimbursement of fees paid.
If you have no insurance, we need either a cash deposit or an imprint of your credit card. You must pay the full amount owing at the end of your hospital stay. If you are unable to do so alternative arrangements such as a payment plan may be available upon request. You may pay in cash or by credit card.
Special procedure charges (Schedule C)
Your doctor may order tests or procedures that are not included in the basic inpatient and outpatient charges. You have to pay for these. This can include lab tests, medical supplies, prosthetics, implanted items (such as pacemakers), X-ray tests (such as a basic X-ray, CT Scan, MRI, angiogram, etc.), and other services.
Schedule C lists some of these special procedures and their costs.
How do I pay?You are asked to pay your fees when you receive hospital services, get a bill from us or set up a payment plan.
Call 604-297-8512 (option 1) to pay your bill with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) over the phone.
Visit the hospital cashier’s office near entrance 93.
• Open hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm
• Phone: (604) 875-2000 Ext 6107
Note: Cashier office is closed during Statutory Holidays and Weekends
