*This is not financial advice, please seek a tax professional for guidance.*

Understanding BC PharmaCare

BC PharmaCare provides financial support for families to help cover the costs of eligible prescription medications and certain medical supplies. These include ostomy, diabetes, contraceptives, nicotine replacement therapy, prostheses, orthoses, (MAiD) program, paxlovid, expensive drugs for rare illnesses and some pharmacy services. This program is designed to ease the financial burden on families based on their income, ensuring that those with lower earnings receive more assistance.

 

How Does Pharmacare Work?

Registered families will pay the full cost of prescriptions until they meet their deductible within a calendar year (January to December). After meeting the deductible:

• Regular Assistance Families: PharmaCare will cover 70% of eligible drug costs.
• Enhanced Assistance Families: Families with a member born before 1940 will receive 75% coverage.

Once the family reaches their annual maximum, PharmaCare pays 100% of eligible drug costs, including many ostomy products, for the remainder of the year.

Both the deductible and family maximum are determined by the family's net income.

Note: Families with annual incomes over $30,000 and ongoing medication costs may qualify for the Monthly Deductible Payment Option for immediate assistance.

 

Financial Assistance for Ostomy Supplies

BC PharmaCare aims to help families afford necessary ostomy supplies, including:

• Ostomy bags
• Skin barriers
• Adhesives and powders

To be eligible for assistance, you must meet the following criteria:

• Registration: Be registered with Pharmacare BC.
• MSP Coverage: Have Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage.
• Tax Filing: Have filed your taxes for the previous year.

Keep in mind that the deductible resets every January.

 

Additional Information on BC PharmaCare

We do direct BC PharmaCare billing for prescription drugs. All other plans for prescriptions not relating to drugs, will need to be submitted manually. For example, a prescription for a 20-30mmHg compression stocking, will require you to pay up front and submit the receipt to your plan. 

For more details, you can explore the following resources:

• BC PharmaCare plans
• Get help paying your Fair PharmaCare deductible
• Fair PharmaCare Plan
• Pharmacare Coverage Plans
• First Nations Health Benefits (Plan W)
• Income Assistance (Plan C)
• Cystic Fibrosis (Plan D)
• Children in the At Home Program (Plan F)
• Psychiatric Medications (Plan G)
• Long-term Care (Plan B)
• Palliative Care (Plan P)
• Medication Management (Plan M)
• Smoking Cessation Program (Plan S)
• British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Plan X)
• Assurance Plan (Plan Z)

 

Other Financial Assistance Options

• Private Insurance: If you have coverage through companies like Blue Cross or Sunlife, you may submit your invoices for reimbursement.
• Veterans, RCMP, WorkSafeBC, ICBC: Specific assistance programs may be available.
• Disability Tax Credit: Explore options at canada.ca.
• Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP): More information is available at canada.ca.

 

Important Note on Wound and Continence Supplies

PharmaCare does not cover wound and continence supplies, but private insurance options are available. Individuals must self-submit invoices for reimbursement.

For further assistance or questions, feel free to reach out to your healthcare provider or local health authority. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and help is available to ensure you receive the support you need.