Updating your coverage information

This page explains how to keep your Fair PharmaCare coverage up to date, and how to cancel and reinstate coverage.

On this page

• What to know
• Family changes to report
• When coverage ends and how to reinstate it
• Cancelling your coverage

What to know

It is important that you keep your Fair PharmaCare family information up to date. Changes in your family may change your coverage level.

Each member of your family must be registered with Fair PharmaCare before their prescription costs will be covered.

Family changes to report

Contact us as soon as possible after:

• You marry or enter into a marriage-like relationship
• You have a new baby or adopt a child
• You gain primary (51% or more) custody of a child from a previous marriage or relationship
• You separate or divorce
  • Both former spouses should contact us. If you and/or your former spouse experience a drop in income due to the separation/divorce, increased assistance may be available. Children can be included one one family account. Children should be on the same parent's Fair PharmaCare account and MSP account. If your family information changes for your MSP coverage only, we will notify you to confirm your Fair PharmaCare information. Respond promptly to prevent termination of your Fair PharmaCare coverage
• Your spouse dies
  • Your spouse's income is included in the calculation of your Fair PharmaCare coverage until the end of the year. This allows your spouse's prescription costs to count towards your deductible. If this creates financial difficulty, contact us to have your spouse's income removed
• Your spouse becomes a resident in a licensed long-term care facility
  • If your combined income is less than $42,000, after subtracting your spouse's long-term care fees, you can request increased coverage. If prescription costs are a challenge, ask us about qualifying as "separated." This will allow us to exclude your spouse's income when calculating your Fair PharmaCare coverage
• Your child is no longer considered a dependent by the Medical Services Plan (ask if we can set up separate Fair PharmaCare coverage for them)

When coverage ends and how to reinstate it

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)

In some circumstances, your income-based Fair PharmaCare coverage may end. This would be 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 check your income with the CRA
• PharmaCare could not verify your income (for example, if you did not file a tax return)
• You left B.C. to live elsewhere
• 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.

Reinstating your coverage

If you become eligible for coverage again, contact us to reinstate your coverage. You do not need to re-register.

In each case, coverage can be reinstated if you take the needed steps. This might mean filing a tax return, re-enrolling with the BC Medical Services Plan, or providing your consent for PharmaCare to check your income with the Canada Revenue Agency.

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.