Your British Columbia Fair PharmaCare Coverage

The following tables allow you to estimate your new coverage and deductible. Once your family's net income has been verified by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, PharmaCare will provide you with written confirmation of your deductible.

British Columbia Fair PharmaCare Program
Net Annual Family Income	Family Deductible	Portion PharmaCare Pays (once deductible reached)	Family Maximum (after which 100% of costs are covered)
Less than $15,000	None - Government assists you with your drug costs immediately.	70% of eligible prescription drug costs	Equal to 2% of your net income
Between $15,000 and $30,000	Equal to 2% of your net income	70% of eligible prescription drug costs	Equal to 3% of your net income
Over $30,000	Equal to 3% of your net income	70% of eligible prescription drug costs	Equal to 4% of your net income

The deductible and family maximum are based on income bands so they are not exact to the percentages provided. For example, if your family income is $34,500 then a deductible based on exactly 3% would be $1,035. However, families with an income between $31,667 and $35,000 are assigned a family deductible of $1,000.

Example: With a combined net family income of $45,000:

The first $1,300 of family drug expenses in a calendar year is paid by you. The next $450 of MSP approved drug expenses will have 70% of it paid for by Pharmacare. Drug expenses over $1,750 in a year will then be paid 100% by Pharmacare.

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Seniors, who are 65 years or older, receive the following Fair PharmaCare financial assistance:

British Columbia Seniors' Fair PharmaCare Program
Net Annual Family Income	Family Deductible	Portion PharmaCare Pays (once deductible reached)	Family Maximum (after which 100% of costs are covered)
Less than $33,000	None - Government assists you with your drug costs immediately.	75% of eligible prescription drug costs	Equal to 1.25% of your net income
Between $33,000 and $50,000	Equal to 1% of your net income	75% of eligible prescription drug costs	Equal to 2% of your net income
Over $50,000	Equal to 2% of your net income	75% of eligible prescription drug costs	Equal to 3% of your net income

The deductible and family maximum are based on income bands so they are not exact to the percentages provided. For example, if your family income is $19,000 then a family maximum based on exactly 1.25% would be $237.50. However, families with an income between $18,000 and $22,000 are assigned a family maximum of $250.

To qualify for senior PharmaCare financial assistance in the future, you or your spouse must have been born in 1939 or earlier. British Columbians born in 1940 and later who register will be eligible for financial assistance under the new Fair PharmaCare plan.