Turning 19, income check, cancellation

This page has information about Fair PharmaCare coverage for people turning 19, PharmaCare's income check, and coverage cancellation.

If you've lost a document:

• Request a copy of your confirmation of coverage
• Request a replacement consent form

If you entered the wrong income while registering:

• Contact us right away so we can adjust your coverage

If your family has changed through adoption, separation, divorce, death or other, visit Updating your coverage information

On this page: Turning 19 | Income information | Cancellation of Fair PharmaCare coverage

Turning 19

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

• Get separate Fair PharmaCare coverage right away by contacting us, or
• Stay as a dependent in your family until the end of the calendar year in which you turn 19.

If you qualify as a dependent for MSP (for example, because you are attending school full-time), you will stay on your parent's/guardian's Fair PharmaCare plan.                                            

• To establish separate coverage, contact us
• It is better to wait until the end of the calendar year to establish your own Fair PharmaCare coverage. If you’re not sure if you should wait, contact us
• When you sign up for your own Fair PharmaCare plan, your eligible prescription costs no longer count toward your parents’ deductible; they count towards yours

Your income information

Fair PharmaCare coverage is based on income. Families with smaller incomes receive more coverage than families with larger incomes. For more information, see How your Fair PharmaCare coverage is calculated.

Your deductible and family maximum are set for the calendar year (January 1st - December 31st). They are determined at the beginning of each year.

Income tax returns can be filed as late as April 30th of each year. This means income information from the most recent tax year is not available in time for PharmaCare to determine your assistance for the following year.

The Ministry of Health and the CRA have an agreement that permits PharmaCare to access four items of tax information with your signed consent:

• Line 23600 of your tax return - Net Income: The line provides your net income, as defined by the CRA, and determines your level of Fair PharmaCare coverage.
• Line 12500 - Income from a Registered Disability Savings Plan: This amount comes off your net income when determining your level of Fair PharmaCare coverage.
• Line 30300 - Married Amount: The ministry will use this information to determine the income of your spouse or common-law partner only if:
  • both of you have signed a consent form; and
  • your spouse/common-law partner has not filed a separate income tax return
• GST/HST Credit Application: Used only under the circumstances outlined above for Line 30300

Canada Revenue Agency regulations and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ensure the privacy of your information. Only specially designated Ministry of Health and/or Health Insurance BC staff can access your information, and only for the purpose of determining your Fair PharmaCare level of coverage.

You can find your tax information on your tax return or the Notice of Assessment that the CRA sends you after they have processed your return. Income from a Registered Disability Savings Plan is not reported on the Notice of Assessment. You will have to look it up on your income tax return.

Contact the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 or call your local tax services office for help.

Cancellation of coverage

Your income-based coverage will continue unless:

• You withdraw your consent for PharmaCare to verify your income with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA);
• PharmaCare could not verify your income (likely because you need to file taxes)

Your income-based Fair PharmaCare coverage may end because:

• You did not return the consent form when you registered, authorizing PharmaCare to check your income with the CRA
• You withdrew your consent for PharmaCare to verify your income with the CRA
• PharmaCare could not verify your income (if, for example, you did not file a tax return)
• You left B.C. to live elsewhere, or
• You opted out of the BC Medical Services Plan

If your income-based coverage is cancelled but you are otherwise still eligible for Fair PharmaCare, you will have default Fair PharmaCare coverage with a $10,000 deductible and family maximum.

If you have concerns about your coverage, or wish to reinstate it, please contact us.

Cancelling your Fair PharmaCare coverage

You can cancel your income-based coverage at any time by withdrawing your consent for PharmaCare to check your income. 

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

You will still have default Fair PharmaCare coverage with a $10,000 deductible and family maximum.