Changes to prescription drug coverage for employees
Effective June 1, 2013, a BC PharmaCare tie-in will be included in the Extended Health Care Plan for employees under Facilities (FBA), Community (CBA), Nurses (NBA) and Paramedical (HSP) bargaining associations. This means that as of this date, reimbursement of prescription drugs by your extended health plan applies only to drugs covered by BC PharmaCare, based on BC PharmaCare price limit maximums.
For more information on this change, and the ways you may be impacted, visit your bargaining association section on the Pacific Blue Cross website:
- Community Bargaining Association (CBA): http://pac.bluecross.ca/cba/ (Please note this link will be available after May 21, 2013)
- Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA): http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/fba/
- Health Sciences Professionals (Paramedical -HSP): http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/hsp/
- Nurses Collective Association (NCA): http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/nca/
To find out if your drug is covered by BC PharmaCare or if an alternative is available, go to: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/benefitslookup/.
Applying For Special Authority
If your drug is not covered by BC PharmaCare and there is no suitable alternative available, your physician can apply for special approval of the drug.
- For a list of drugs eligible for Special Authority approval, visithttp://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/sa/criteria/genericbrandtable.html.
- More information on drugs approved by BC PharmaCare can be found at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/decision.html.
Questions?
For further information or assistance on the BC PharmaCare program, please contact HSSBC Employee Records & Benefits at 604-297-8683/ 1-866-875-5306 or employeeRBsupport@hssbc.ca. You can also get more information from the organizations below:
BC PharmaCare
Phone: 604.683.7157 (1.800.663.7100 outside the Lower Mainland)
Website: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/
Pacific Blue Cross
Phone: 604-419-2600 or 1-877-342-2583
Website: http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/