What is HLTH 101?
HLTH 101, the British Columbia Application for Health and Drug Coverage, is Health Insurance BC's form for the B.C. Ministry of Health. On it, B.C. residents can apply for one, two or three programs: the Medical Services Plan (MSP), Fair PharmaCare and Supplementary Benefits. To apply for Fair PharmaCare or Supplementary Benefits you must already be enrolled in MSP or enrol in MSP on the same application. The current edition is HLTH 101 V2 Rev. 2024/08/15. The province also offers the application online at gov.bc.ca/AHDC; this PDF is the mail-in version.
The form has six sections: which programs you're applying for; you, your spouse and up to two children (more on an attached sheet); MSP residency questions and the accepted ID for each person; Fair PharmaCare net income; the Supplementary Benefits adjusted-net-income worksheet; and the declarations, authorizations and consents that you and your spouse sign. It is mailed to Health Insurance BC, Medical Services Plan, PO Box 9678 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9P7.
FileIt asks only the questions for the programs you choose, prints every answer in capitals into the right comb boxes (accented and Central European names included), right-aligns the dollar amounts, and works out Supplementary Benefits lines 3 to 11 for you. Names and birthdates can come from your People records in the FileIt vault, and the finished PDF is saved there. FileIt never submits anything: you print, sign and mail it yourself.
- Who fills it
- The applicant, for themselves, their spouse and their children
- Sent to
- Health Insurance BC, Medical Services Plan, PO Box 9678 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9P7
- Programs
- MSP, Fair PharmaCare, Supplementary Benefits — one, two or all three
- Signatures
- The applicant and the spouse (if any) sign section 6
- Region
- British Columbia
- Edition
- HLTH 101 V2 Rev. 2024/08/15
Who needs to fill out HLTH 101?
- People who have moved to B.C. — from another province or from abroad — and need to enrol themselves and their family in MSP.
- B.C. residents already in MSP who want Fair PharmaCare help with prescription drug costs, based on family net income.
- Lower-income MSP beneficiaries applying for Supplementary Benefits; the form notes you may be eligible if your adjusted net income is $42,000 or less.
- Families with a dependent post-secondary student, for whom section 3 has its own part.
When to use HLTH 101
- As soon as you arrive in B.C. — the form recommends it, because MSP usually begins after a wait period of the balance of the month you move (or return) to B.C. plus two months.
- When you want to add Fair PharmaCare or Supplementary Benefits to existing MSP coverage.
- When you'd rather mail a paper application than apply online.
What you need before you start
- Legal names, genders and birthdates for you, your spouse and your children, and any B.C. Personal Health Numbers (PHN).
- Your telephone number and your current residential address in B.C. (plus a mailing address if different).
- For MSP: a photocopy of one accepted ID for each person showing their status in Canada (such as a birth certificate, citizenship card, passport, permanent resident card, or a study, work or visitor permit); dates of your most recent move to B.C. and to Canada; where you moved from and your previous health number; and details of any absences from B.C. over 30 days.
- For Fair PharmaCare: your and your spouse's SINs and net income (line 23600) and RDSP income (line 12500) from the tax year the program uses — two years ago.
- For Supplementary Benefits: SINs, a photocopy of your (and your spouse's) most recent Notice of Assessment or Reassessment, line 23600 net income, child care expenses (line 21400), the number of children and of people with a disability, and RDSP income.
What’s on HLTH 101
The 2024 edition has 6 pages. FileIt asks for it in 10 parts, and it is signed by Applicant and Spouse:
- Section 1: Programs you are applying forApplicant
- Section 2: You (the applicant)Applicant
- Section 2: Your spouseSpouse
- Section 2: Child 1Applicant
- Section 2: Child 2Applicant
- Section 3: MSP residency questions for your familyApplicant
- Section 3: Dependent post-secondary studentApplicant
- Section 4: Fair PharmaCareApplicant
- Section 5: Supplementary BenefitsApplicant
- Section 6: SignaturesApplicant
How to fill out HLTH 101, step by step
1 Section 1: Programs
Tick one box. If you are not enrolled in MSP: all three programs, MSP and Fair PharmaCare, MSP and Supplementary Benefits, or MSP only. If you are enrolled in MSP: Fair PharmaCare and Supplementary Benefits, Fair PharmaCare, or Supplementary Benefits. The box tells you which sections to complete.
2 Section 2: You, your spouse and your children
Legal last, first and second names, gender (M, F or X), birthdate and PHN for each person, plus your telephone number and addresses. There is room for two children; tick the box and attach a sheet for more. The form asks for capital letters only.
3 Section 3: MSP enrolment
Absences from B.C. of more than 30 days since your move, and any planned in the next 6 months; whether you are a full-time student; Canadian Forces membership or release from the Forces or an institution. Then for each person: the accepted ID you're sending a photocopy of, whether they've lived in B.C. since birth, their most recent moves to B.C. and Canada, where they moved from, their previous health number, and whether it's a permanent move (B.C. as primary residence for 6 months or longer). A part for a dependent post-secondary student follows.
4 Section 4: Fair PharmaCare
SINs, the tax year, net income (line 23600) and RDSP income (line 12500) for you and your spouse. Coverage is based on family income from two years ago, verified with the CRA; until it's verified you have temporary coverage based on what you enter. A child can only be on one parent's Fair PharmaCare account.
5 Section 5: Supplementary Benefits
SINs and the tax year of your most recent Notice of Assessment, then the worksheet: net incomes (lines 1-3); deductions of $3,000 each for a spouse, for being 65 or older, for a spouse 65 or older, for each minor or dependent post-secondary student (minus half your child care expenses) and for each person with a disability, plus RDSP income (lines 4-10); and adjusted net income (line 11). FileIt calculates lines 3 to 11.
6 Section 6: Signatures
You and your spouse read and sign the declarations for MSP, and the CRA consents for Fair PharmaCare and Supplementary Benefits, then print your names and date them. Tick the box and include a copy of the agreement if someone with power of attorney or another legal representation agreement signs for you. The form says not to change text, cross out text or add comments.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing Fair PharmaCare or Supplementary Benefits without being enrolled in MSP or applying for it at the same time.
- Leaving out the ID photocopies for MSP, or the Notice of Assessment copies for Supplementary Benefits.
- Leaving out a spouse's income for Fair PharmaCare — the form says to include it even if they aren't eligible, don't want to register or live outside B.C.
- The spouse not signing section 6.
- Waiting to apply — MSP coverage only starts after the wait period.
After you fill it out
Print the PDF. You and your spouse (if any) sign and date section 6.
Mail it with the photocopies the form asks for to Health Insurance BC, Medical Services Plan, PO Box 9678 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9P7. The form lists HIBC's telephone numbers: 604 683-7151 (Lower Mainland) and 1 800 663-7100 (rest of B.C.).
Most adults then go to an ICBC driver licensing office to complete enrolment and get a photo BC Services Card; adults with temporary documents, and all children, are mailed a non-photo card. Keep the filled PDF in your FileIt vault, and file the BC Services Cards there when they arrive.
Fill out HLTH 101 online with FileIt
- Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
- Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 117 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
- Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real BC Ministry of Health / Health Insurance BC form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
- Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.
FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.
Start HLTH 101 now — it’s freeHLTH 101: frequently asked questions
What is HLTH 101?
It is British Columbia's Application for Health and Drug Coverage — the form to enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and apply for Fair PharmaCare and Supplementary Benefits, on one application.
Where do I mail the B.C. MSP application?
The form gives Health Insurance BC, Medical Services Plan, PO Box 9678 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9P7.
When does MSP coverage start?
According to the form, MSP usually begins after a wait period of the balance of the month you move (or return) to B.C. plus two months, which is why it recommends applying as soon as you arrive.
Do I need to go to ICBC?
The form says most adults must go to an ICBC driver licensing office to complete MSP enrolment and get a photo BC Services Card. Adults with temporary documents, and all children, don't; they are mailed a non-photo card.
Which income does Fair PharmaCare use?
Your family's net income from two years ago (line 23600 of the CRA Notice of Assessment), verified with the CRA after you sign the consent in section 6.
Who may be eligible for Supplementary Benefits?
The form notes you may be eligible if your adjusted net income on line 11 is $42,000 or less. FileIt works out that line for you from your answers.
Can I apply online instead?
Yes — the form points to gov.bc.ca/AHDC for the online application. FileIt fills in the PDF version for mailing.
Official sources
- Blank form (PDF), published by BC Ministry of Health / Health Insurance BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/101fil.pdf
- Official instructions and guidance: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol
- Edition shown on this page: HLTH 101 V2 Rev. 2024/08/15 (checked 2026-09-28).
FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by BC Ministry of Health / Health Insurance BC or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-28.