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VICTORIA
– The provincial government is
encouraging all British Columbians and their families to register for Fair
PharmaCare if they have not done so already.
British Columbia’s
Fair PharmaCare plan provides financial assistance for eligible prescription
drugs and designated medical supplies to B.C. families based on their net
income. Fair PharmaCare focuses financial assistance on B.C.
families who need it most.
Prior to the launch of Fair PharmaCare in May 2003, many low-income
families were paying more for their drugs than individuals and families with
higher incomes. To date, Fair PharmaCare has lowered the drug costs of
approximately 300,000 British Columbia families. As of June 1, 2007, there were
approximately 1.3 million families registered for the program, out of a total
of 2.2 million families.
For
the past four years since the plan’s launch, a transition period has enabled
patients to be reimbursed for prescriptions dispensed before the date they
registered for Fair PharmaCare if those costs exceeded their Fair PharmaCare
deductible amount. Starting Jan. 1,
2008, PharmaCare will no longer reimburse amounts paid above the deductible
amount that occurred before the date the family registered. PharmaCare will
continue to count a family’s eligible prescription and medical supply costs
towards their Fair PharmaCare deductible amount – but they will not be
reimbursed for expenses prior to registration.
There
are two ways to register:
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Online at www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharme;
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Phone Health Insurance
BC, from the Lower Mainland at 604-683-7151 or from the rest of B.C. toll-free at 1-800-663-7100.
Fair
PharmaCare assistance is available immediately for those who register by phone
or online. There is no charge to register and no premiums to pay. New residents
in the province need to register as soon as they receive their B.C. CareCard
from the B.C. Medical Services Plan.
Registering
for Fair PharmaCare does not affect Ministry of Employment and Income
Assistance coverage. Recipients are advised to register for Fair PharmaCare so
that it is in place should they need it in the future. PharmaCare will continue
to reimburse families and individuals whose level of Fair PharmaCare assistance
is increased partway through the year as a result of a decrease in net income.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 952-1887 (media line) 250 920-8500 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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