Fair PharmaCare Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

What if my spouse is not eligible for Fair PharmaCare?

If your spouse is not eligible for Fair PharmaCare coverage, you still need to report your spouse's income when you register yourself and, if applicable, your dependents.

What if my spouse's prescription drug costs are covered by a federal insurer?

Your spouse's coverage by the federal insurer (for example, the Canadian Forces, Veteran's Affairs Canada, the RCMP, or the Non-Insured Health Benefits program), will not change, but you will still need to report your spouse's income when you register.

What if my spouse lives in a residential care facility?

Your spouse's drug coverage is not affected by this plan, however, you will still need to report your spouse's income when you register.

My spouse is the only person in our family born before 1940. If my spouse dies, am I still eligible for enhanced Fair PharmaCare coverage?

You would continue to receive enhanced Fair PharmaCare coverage until the end of the year in which your spouse died. In following years, you would receive the regular Fair PharmaCare coverage based on your net income.

If I have joint custody of a child, in which family should the child be registered?
The child should be registered with the parent on whose MSP account they are included.


What happens when I become 19 years of age?

When you turn 19 years old, you usually must establish your own Medical Services Plan (MSP) account. If you no longer qualify as a dependent for MSP, you can:

  • establish separate Fair PharmaCare plan coverage right away, or
  • remain as a dependent in your family until the end of the calendar year in which you turn 19.

If you still qualify as a dependent for MSP (for example, because you are attending school full-time), you will not need independent Fair PharmaCare coverage until you get your own MSP account.

Important Considerations:

  • To establish separate coverage, call Health Insurance BC. (As you are already registered for Fair PharmaCare, you cannot use online registration to establish separate coverage.)
  • It is sometimes better to wait until the end of the calendar year to establish your own Fair PharmaCare coverage. When you establish your own Fair PharmaCare coverage, your prescription expenses for the year are transferred to your separate coverage and no longer count toward your family's deductible. Health Insurance BC can advise if it is better for you to establish separate coverage right away or wait until the end of the calendar year.

I am a guardian/power of attorney for a friend/family member. How do I register him/her for the Fair PharmaCare plan?

As a guardian/power of attorney, you can register a friend/family member by phone or online. When you return the consent form, include a copy of the Power of Attorney (POA) or other legal documentation indicating your authority to act on the person's behalf.

Can adults be registered as dependents?

No. For Fair PharmaCare purposes, a dependent is:

  • a resident who is the legal ward or child of the registrant, and
  • is supported by the registrant, and
  • is neither married nor living and cohabitating in a marriage-like relationship, and
  • is either 18 years or younger or aged 19 to 24 and attending school or university full-time.

Dependents must be included in your family when registering and they can only be registered with one family.

How can I confirm my deductible?

Use the online Fair PharmaCare Calculator or call Health Insurance BC. Note that we cannot release information about your coverage without establishing your identity.

Can I cancel my registration in the Fair PharmaCare plan?

You can cancel your registration at any time by withdrawing your consent. Write to:

Health Insurance BC
Attention: PharmaCare Services
PO Box 9655 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9P2

Can I register for the Fair PharmaCare plan if I do not provide written consent authorizing the Ministry of Health Services and Health Insurance BC to access my income information? Can I send a notarized copy of my tax return or Notice of Assessment or a letter from a lawyer instead?

To register for Fair PharmaCare, you must provide us with a signed consent form. PharmaCare cannot accept a copy of your tax return or other documents in place of the consent form.

My spouse and I have been separated for a number of years, but we are still on the same Medical Services Plan (MSP) account. How should we register for Fair PharmaCare?

You have two options:

  • You and your spouse can contact Health Insurance BC and establish separate MSP accounts, then register separately for Fair PharmaCare.
  • You can register for Fair PharmaCare as a family and report your combined net income.

Can PharmaCare cancel my Fair PharmaCare coverage?

If you are registered for Fair PharmaCare, your coverage will not be cancelled unless:

  • You withdraw/revoke your consent for your income to be verified annually with the Canada Revenue Agency,
  • You opt out of the Medical Services Plan,
  • You are no longer a resident of B.C., or
  • PharmaCare could not verify your income (be sure to notify us of any change in your family structure that could affect income verification through the Canada Revenue Agency)

If you have concerns about your coverage, please contact Health Insurance BC.