Offloading devices covered by BC PharmaCare

BC PharmaCare helps pay for offloading devices. Offloading devices are foot orthotics and adaptive shoes that help people recover from diabetic and neuropathic foot ulcers and prevent recurrence.

On this page: 

• Who is covered
• How it works
• For more information
• Information sheet (available in 15 languages)

Who is covered

Coverage is available to people who are:

• Diagnosed with a diabetic or neuropathic foot ulcer
• Receiving eligible treatment at an approved B.C. outpatient or ambulatory clinic or from a health authority team of nurses specialized in wound, ostomy and continence (NSWOCs) at long-term care facilities
• Ready to transition to an offloading device
• Covered under Fair PharmaCare, Plan C (Income Assistance and Family Services), or Plan B (Long-term Care)

If you do not have Plan C or Plan B coverage, register for the Fair PharmaCare plan. It’s free. Coverage is based on your income. Register at BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage (AHDC) or call us at 1-800-663-7100. The amount of coverage under Fair PharmaCare depends on whether you have met your deductible and family maximum.

Register for Fair PharmaCare 

How it works

1. You must be treated for your foot ulcer at an approved B.C. outpatient or ambulatory clinic.
2. A clinic nurse or physician decides you are ready to transition to an offloading device within two weeks.
3. The clinic refers you to an orthotist enrolled in PharmaCare. The orthotist can help you apply for PharmaCare coverage for the offloading devices prescribed for you.

For more information

Phone us Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday 8 am to 4pm

• From the Lower Mainland: 604-683-7151
• From the rest of B.C., toll-free: 1-800-663-7100

Online resources

• Register for Fair PharmaCare: BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage (AHDC)
• Approved outpatient and ambulatory clinics: B.C. Health Authority Foot Ulcers Treatment Sites (PDF, 341KB)
• Enrolled orthotists: Pharmacare enrolled orthotic providers in B.C. (PDF, 81KB)

Offloading devices information sheet

The information on this page is also available in multiple languages on the offloading devices information sheet.

Learn about Fair PharmaCare in these languages