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April 23, 2003
Members advised to register with new PharmaCare plan
Pacific Blue Cross, the health benefit carrier for BCNU members, is advising all of its members to register with the government’s new PharmaCare plan.
The only people who don’t need to register are those whose family incomes (based on line 236 of 2001 Income Tax returns) are greater than $300,000 per year.
If extended health benefits are capped, or if there is PharmaCare tie-in, members need to protect themselves from unexpected pharmaceutical costs by registering with the new plan.
For example, prior to the implementation of the new PharmaCare plan, Pacific Blue Cross members could claim prescription costs up to a limit, receiving a percentage back as a refund. If the limit was exceeded, PharmaCare would refund 70 per cent.
With the new PharmaCare plan, there is a deductible based on household income. If you are not registered, the deductible will automatically be based on a household income of $300,000 which amounts to $10,000. In other words, you would have to pay $10,000 before PharmaCare would kick in.
The same advice applies to BCNU members who do not receive benefits from Pacific Blue Cross.
Register by May 1, 2003
The government advises registering by May 1, 2003. The information brochure states: "You should register before the new Fair PharmaCare program starts on May 1, 2003. You can, however, register at any time to start receiving financial assistance under the new program. If you do not register, you will not be eligible to receive your maximum PharmaCare financial assistance, so early registration is advised."
To register, call 1-800-387-4977 or register on-line at www.gov.bc.ca In order to register, you must have a social insurance number, birth date, and health care card number for each person in the family, as well as 2001 income tax statements (specifically line 236 on the form) for each person who filed a return.
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