Virtual Doctor Visits in BC: Telehealth Guide 2026

A complete guide to virtual doctor visits and telehealth in British Columbia — how it works, MSP coverage, what conditions are suitable, and how to find a virtual care provider on mydoctorbc.ca.

Virtual doctor visits have become a permanent part of healthcare in British Columbia. What started as an emergency measure during the pandemic has evolved into a well-established care option that millions of BC residents now use regularly. Whether you are looking for a convenient way to see your family doctor, need medical advice while searching for a permanent provider, or want to explore virtual-first primary care, this 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about telehealth in BC. What Are Virtual Doctor Visits? A virtual doctor visit (also called a telehealth visit, virtual appointment, or telemedicine consultation) is a medical appointment conducted remotely — by phone call or video call — instead of in person at a clinic. The physician or nurse practitioner assesses your health concern, provides a diagnosis when possible, prescribes medication if needed, orders tests, and makes referrals, all without you needing to be physically present. In BC, virtual visits are provided by family doctors, walk-in clinic physicians, nurse practitioners, and specialist physicians. The format is flexible — some providers use dedicated telehealth platforms with video capability, while others conduct visits by regular telephone call. MSP Coverage for Virtual Visits Virtual doctor visits in BC are fully covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP). When the BC government temporarily expanded MSP billing to cover phone and video visits during the pandemic, the change was later made permanent due to strong patient and physician demand. If you have a valid BC Services Card, your virtual visit is covered at no cost. This applies to visits with family doctors, walk-in clinic doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists. There are no additional fees for the virtual technology itself. You do need a phone (for phone visits) or a device with a camera, microphone, and internet connection (for video visits). What Conditions Are Suitable for Virtual Visits? Virtual visits work well for many common health concerns. The following are particularly well-suited to virtual care: prescription renewals and medication adjustments, follow-up visits after an in-person appointment, mental health check-ins for anxiety, depression, stress, and other concerns, reviewing lab results and test findings, cold and flu symptoms (assessment and treatment plan), urinary tract infection symptoms (assessment and prescription if appropriate), skin concerns (via video, where the doctor can see the affected area), sexual health questions and STI test requisitions, chronic disease management check-ins (diabetes, hypertension, asthma), travel health advice and vaccine recommendations, and questions about symptoms that do not require a physical examination. What Requires an In-Person Visit? Some health concerns cannot be adequately assessed virtually. You should see a doctor in person for any condition requiring a physical examination (e.g., abdominal pain that needs palpation, musculoskeletal injuries that need range-of-motion testing), chest pain or breathing difficulty, new or changing lumps or growths that need to be physically examined, ear examinations, full annual physicals or comprehensive health assessments, and any concern where the doctor determines an in-person examination is necessary. A good virtual care provider will tell you if your concern requires an in-person visit and help you arrange one. How to Access Virtual Care in BC There are several ways to access virtual doctor visits in British Columbia. Through your family doctor: If you already have a family doctor, ask their office whether they offer virtual appointments. Many family practices in BC now offer a mix of in-person and virtual visits. You typically book through the clinic's regular booking process and are offered a phone or video appointment for eligible concerns. Through a walk-in telehealth service: Some clinics offer virtual walk-in services where you can see a doctor without a prior appointment. These are covered by MSP and function similarly to an in-person walk-in visit. Search mydoctorbc.ca for clinics that indicate virtual or telehealth availability. Through your search for a new provider: If you are looking for a family doctor, consider clinics that offer virtual care as part of their practice model. On Find a Doctor BC at mydoctorbc.ca, clinic listings indicate whether virtual or telehealth services are available. This can be particularly valuable if you live in a rural area or have mobility challenges. Virtual Care and the Doctor Shortage Virtual care has become an important bridge for the hundreds of thousands of BC residents who lack a family doctor. While virtual visits are not a complete substitute for having a regular primary care provider, they do allow unattached patients to access medical advice, prescription renewals, and mental health support without relying solely on busy walk-in clinics. If you are currently unattached, you can use virtual care as an interim solution while you search for a permanent family doctor or nurse practitioner. Search mydoctorbc.ca for clinics in your area and register with the Health Connect Registry by calling 8-1-1 or visiting healthlinkbc.ca. Virtual Care vs In-Person: When to Choose Each Choose virtual when your concern is straightforward and does not require physical examination, when you need a prescription renewal, when you want to discuss lab results, when you need a mental health check-in, or when weather, distance, or mobility make an in-person visit difficult. Choose in-person when your concern involves pain that needs physical assessment, when you are due for a physical exam or preventive screening, when you have a new symptom that the doctor has not assessed before, or when your doctor recommends an in-person visit. Tips for a Successful Virtual Visit Prepare in advance. Write down your symptoms, questions, and any medications you are taking. Have your BC Services Card ready. Find a quiet, private space for the call. This ensures you can speak openly about your health concerns. For video visits, ensure your device is charged, your internet connection is stable, and your camera and microphone work. If you have a skin concern, have the affected area visible and well-lit for a video appointment. Be honest about your symptoms. Virtual providers rely on your description more than usual since they cannot perform a physical exam. Ask for a summary. Request that the doctor send a summary of the visit and any prescriptions or requisitions to your pharmacy or email. Helpful Resources Find a Doctor BC — search for clinics with virtual care: mydoctorbc.ca HealthLink BC — 24/7 nurse line and Health Connect Registry: healthlinkbc.ca or call 8-1-1 College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC: cpsbc.ca BC Divisions of Family Practice: divisionsbc.ca Government of BC Health: gov.bc.ca/health Your Next Step Search mydoctorbc.ca for clinics in your area that offer virtual care. If you do not have a family doctor, use virtual care as an interim option while you search and register with Health Connect Registry. Virtual visits are a convenient, MSP-covered way to access healthcare — and they are here to stay.

Virtual Doctor Visits in BC: Telehealth Guide 2026

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