PharmaCare
Provided by: Ministry of Health (MOH)
Service Description
Assists in paying for eligible medications prescribed by a physician, dentist, midwife, nurse practitioner, optometrist, or podiatrist licensed and practicing in BC; insulin, needles, syringes, and insulin pumps, and insulin pump supplies for all people with diabetes (and blood glucose monitoring strips up to certain annual coverage limits for those who have a Certificate of Training); designated, pre-approved permanent prosthetic appliances; children's orthotic devices; and certain ostomy supplies. Also covers on a case-by-case basis, last resort basis Expensive Drugs for Rare Diseases (EDRD); drugs for rare diseases that have an approximate annual cost of more than $100, 000 per patient; to access patient must obtain application form from their physician. For questions about PharmaCare, customer service representatives from Health Insurance BC (HIBC) are available from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 4 pm Saturdays. PharmaNet is a network that links all BC pharmacies; dispensed prescriptions are entered in order to improve prescription safety and support prescription claim processing. Program administered by HIBC.
Plan I (Fair PharmaCare): Assists families in paying for eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies based on their net income. The lower the family income, the more assistance the government provides toward their prescription drug and medical supply costs. Individuals born in 1939 or earlier qualify for enhanced Fair PharmaCare assistance. Registration by phone or online provides immediate coverage. Individuals covered under Plan D, G, or P, who require coverage for medication or supplies not included in those plans, should register for Fair PharmaCare, as should their family members.
Plan B (Residential Care): Covers the full cost of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies for permanent residents of licensed residential care facilities.
Plan C (Income Assistance): Provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs for BC residents receiving medical benefits and income assistance through Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR).
Plan D (Cystic Fibrosis): Individuals registered with a provincial cystic fibrosis clinic receive 100% coverage of eligible digestive enzymes. Additional items such as nutritional supplements and vitamins are not covered under Plan D but may be covered for the individual under another PharmaCare plan.
Plan F (Children in the At Home Program): Provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies for children enrolled in Ministry of Children and Family Development's (MCFD) At Home Program.
Plan G (Psychiatric Medications): Provides 100% coverage of certain psychiatric medications to patients registered with a mental health centre and who demonstrate clinical and financial need. Includes Methadose (methadone) for maintenance and Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone).
Plan P (Palliative Care): Covers 100% of eligible costs of medications to BC residents who have reached the end stage of a life-threatening disease or illness and who wish to receive palliative care at home. Information is available from physicians, local health authorities, or the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association.
Plan W (First Nations Health Benefits): Provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs and certain medical supplies and pharmacy services, as well as over-the-counter drugs, devices, and some health products. Funded by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
Plan I (Fair PharmaCare): Assists families in paying for eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies based on their net income. The lower the family income, the more assistance the government provides toward their prescription drug and medical supply costs. Individuals born in 1939 or earlier qualify for enhanced Fair PharmaCare assistance. Registration by phone or online provides immediate coverage. Individuals covered under Plan D, G, or P, who require coverage for medication or supplies not included in those plans, should register for Fair PharmaCare, as should their family members.
Plan B (Residential Care): Covers the full cost of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies for permanent residents of licensed residential care facilities.
Plan C (Income Assistance): Provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs for BC residents receiving medical benefits and income assistance through Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR).
Plan D (Cystic Fibrosis): Individuals registered with a provincial cystic fibrosis clinic receive 100% coverage of eligible digestive enzymes. Additional items such as nutritional supplements and vitamins are not covered under Plan D but may be covered for the individual under another PharmaCare plan.
Plan F (Children in the At Home Program): Provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies for children enrolled in Ministry of Children and Family Development's (MCFD) At Home Program.
Plan G (Psychiatric Medications): Provides 100% coverage of certain psychiatric medications to patients registered with a mental health centre and who demonstrate clinical and financial need. Includes Methadose (methadone) for maintenance and Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone).
Plan P (Palliative Care): Covers 100% of eligible costs of medications to BC residents who have reached the end stage of a life-threatening disease or illness and who wish to receive palliative care at home. Information is available from physicians, local health authorities, or the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association.
Plan W (First Nations Health Benefits): Provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs and certain medical supplies and pharmacy services, as well as over-the-counter drugs, devices, and some health products. Funded by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
