British Columbia’s Office of the Seniors Advocate is urging all seniors in the province to check to see if they are eligible for full or partial payment of their monthly Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums.

The provincial government increased monthly MSP premiums, effective Jan. 1, for millions of B.C. residents.

However, the Office of the Seniors Advocate reminds everyone there is a subsidy available to help pay MSP premiums for low-income seniors across the province.

“Some seniors are paying $900 per year for their MSP and many may qualify for a full or partial subsidy of this amount,” said Isobel MacKenzie, B.C.’s Seniors Advocate last week. “Seniors have one of the lowest median incomes and would likely benefit the most from MSP Premium Assistance, however, many are not aware that they qualify.”

MacKenzie highlighted the lack of awareness on this issue in her 2015 report entitled Bridging the Gaps.

In this report, which randomly surveyed seniors across British Columbia, it was found that overall awareness of MSP premium assistance was low among survey respondents, with only 39 per cent being aware of the program.

Paradoxically, awareness was the lowest amongst those who would most likely qualify – seniors with household incomes under $30,000.

“We must do all the we can to ensure that seniors are aware of and accessing the assistance they are eligible for,” said MacKenzie.

The regular premium assistance program has five levels of subsidies on a sliding scale for individuals and families earning less than $30,000, with those earning under $22,000 paying no premiums at all.

A one-time application must be filled out. Subsequent years are automatically calculated on the information in the recipients’ income tax returns.

Regular premium assistance may also be provided retroactively up to six years from the date of application.

As of Jan. 1, the premiums for those with a net income over $30,000 have increased by approximately four per cent over 2015 premiums, while premiums for those with incomes less than $30,000 will remain unchanged at current levels, said MacKenzie.

To learn more about, and apply for, regular and temporary premium assistance, call toll-free at 1-800-663-7100 or go online and visit www.2gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate is an independent office of the provincial government with a mandate of reporting on systemic issues, monitoring seniors’ services and raising awareness through its toll-free line at 1-877-952-3181.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times