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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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VICTORIA – Government is making it easier for British Columbians with high prescription costs to pay their deductibles through a new monthly payment option, Health Services Minister Colin Hansen announced today.
“The Fair PharmaCare Monthly Deductible Payment Option is voluntary and offers predictable monthly contributions spread over a year for families faced with sudden or sustained high drug costs that previously had to be paid up front,” said Hansen. “We expect that up to 100,000 families and seniors in British Columbia will benefit from the new payment option.
“Fair PharmaCare was the first step in allowing all British Columbians to have equitable access to a robust publicly funded prescription drug plan based on a family’s ability to pay. About 280,000 low-income B.C. families and seniors now pay less for their prescription drug costs. We are now taking a second step with the launch of the new monthly payment option.”
The new payment option will particularly benefit families who expect to reach their deductible because of high prescription drug costs. Families are eligible if they: · Are registered for Fair PharmaCare; · Have a deductible greater than zero; and · Do not have private health insurance with a drug plan.
The majority of families who may benefit from this option will be receiving enrolment packages in the mail this week. The program comes into effect Jan. 1, 2005, and enhances BC Fair PharmaCare.
Government created BC Fair PharmaCare in May 2003 to ensure that PharmaCare would remain sustainable into the future and that financial assistance continues to be available to people who need help paying for their prescription drugs. PharmaCare Public drug expenditures in 1993/94 were $372 million and by 2003/04, had risen to $713 million.
More than 1.3 million families are registered for Fair PharmaCare, which is the fastest growing portion of B.C.’s health care budget. Families are responsible for the cost of prescriptions drugs until they reach their deductible. After reaching their deductible, PharmaCare pays the majority of eligible prescription costs and families make co-payments up to an annual maximum based on family income.
People seeking information about the new Fair PharmaCare Monthly Deductible Payment Option can visit the website at www.gov.bc.ca, or call toll-free in B.C. 1-800 387-4977.
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