Fair PharmaCare Plan Registration Guide

What is Fair PharmaCare?

Fair PharmaCare is a BC drug benefit plan that helps residents pay for many prescription drugs, dispensing fees, and some medical devices and supplies. It is administered by the BC government through BC PharmaCare.

Who is eligible?

All BC residents are eligible for income-based Fair PharmaCare coverage if they:

• Are enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
• Consent to PharmaCare checking income with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Coverage is for families, not individuals. A family can be a single person, a married or common-law couple, a single person with dependent children, or a couple with dependent children. If a family has two spouses, both must register. If one spouse is not eligible, their income must be included.

How to register?

1. Register: You can register online, by phone at 1-800-663-7100, or by mail using the paper form. You will need: Personal Health Numbers for all family members, Social Insurance Numbers for adults, net income (line 23600) from CRA Notice of Assessment from two years ago, and RDSP income if applicable (line 12500). Temporary coverage starts the same day you register, based on the income information you provide. If you enter wrong income, contact us right away.

1. Return the consent form within 30 days: After registration, PharmaCare will send a consent form to check income with CRA. Return it within 30 days. If not returned, temporary coverage ends and the deductible is set at $10,000.

How coverage is calculated?

Coverage is based on income. The less a family earns, the more help they get. Each year's coverage is based on income from two years prior.

• Deductible: The amount a family must spend on eligible costs each year before PharmaCare starts to help. Once reached, PharmaCare pays 70% of eligible costs (75% if a family member was born before 1940).
• Family maximum: The most a family will spend per year on eligible costs. After reaching it, PharmaCare pays 100% of eligible costs for the rest of the year.

Eligible costs include drugs and medical supplies covered by PharmaCare, and dispensing fees up to $11 per prescription.

Important notes

• Register once, coverage for life, but income verification is required annually.
• If you have private insurance, you may still get help from Fair PharmaCare.
• Fair PharmaCare does not cover costs from previous years or times when MSP coverage was inactive.
• If family changes (adoption, separation, divorce, death), update coverage information.
• If income drops by 10%, you may apply for an income review.
• If you have trouble paying the deductible, consider the Monthly Deposit Payment Option.

Dependent children and students

A dependent child (as defined by MSP) is: 18 or younger, or 19-24 and in school full time; included on parents' MSP plan; not married or in a marriage-like relationship. Dependents must live with the family. Adults cannot be registered as dependents.

Turning 19

When you turn 19, if you do not qualify as a dependent, you must establish your own MSP account and can get separate Fair PharmaCare coverage right away, or stay as a dependent until the end of the calendar year. The official page suggests waiting until year-end, but contact PharmaCare if unsure.

Taxes Filed form

If you receive a letter asking to confirm you filed taxes, complete the online or paper Taxes Filed form. If the letter refers to a tax year other than two years ago, use the paper form. If you could not file taxes in Canada two years ago, you may use the Proof of Income Affidavit.

Official sources

• Fair PharmaCare plan - Province of British Columbia