7.13 Assurance (Plan Z)

General Policy Description

Plan Z (Assurance) provides 100% coverage of any included product for any eligible beneficiary.

The Full Payment Policy applies to Plan Z. Providers must not charge patients any costs associated with the dispense of fully covered Plan Z benefits.

As of March 1, 2026, Plan NP covers the contraceptives previously covered under Plan Z.

Policy Details

Patient eligibility

All residents of B.C. with active Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage are eligible.

Exceptional coverage

Plan Z coverage is available exceptionally in some situations.

Exceptional Plan Z coverage is processed and activated by Health Insurance BC (HIBC).

Exceptional Plan Z coverage is entered in PharmaNet (usually for 3 months; 6 months for OAT) and a response faxed back to the pharmacy or prescriber. Visit the Plan Z web page for the complete procedure.

Exceptional coverage is available for:

• Mifepristone-misoprostol for:
  • B.C. residents who have completed the Application for Health and Drug Coverage (AHDC), presented their identification at an ICBC driver licensing office and are in the wait period for MSP
  • up to 3 months

• Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for:
  • B.C. residents who have completed both steps of MSP enrolment but are in the wait period, or
  • patients who have public health insurance in another Canadian province or territory
  • up to 3 months
• Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for:
  • B.C. residents who are not yet enrolled in MSP, or
  • B.C. residents who have completed the Application for Health and Drug Coverage (AHDC) and presented their identification at an ICBC driver licensing office but are still in the wait period for MSP
  • up to 6 months
• Tecovirimat for:
  • B.C. residents who have completed the Application for Health and Drug Coverage (AHDC) and presented their identification at an ICBC driver licensing office but are still in the wait period
  • residents of another Canadian province or territory
  • up to 3 months
  • Note: Tecovirimat is dispensed through the Product Distribution Centre only. A pharmacist or prescriber contacts HIBC at 604-682-7120 or 1-800-554-0225 
    Resource: Guidance for the Treatment of Monkeypox (PDF, 370KB)

Resources

• Full procedures for exceptional Plan Z are on the Plan Z web page for health professionals
• Exceptional Plan Z Coverage eForm – Exceptional Plan Z coverage forms for OAT and for National Pharmacare and mifepristone/misoprostol can be submitted in eForms. eForms are simpler and quicker than faxing paper forms
  • Paper versions if faxing:
    • HLTH 5829 – Application for Exceptional Plan Z coverage for OAT
    • HLTH 5499 – Exceptional Coverage: National Pharmacare and mifepristone/misoprostol