Palliative Care Benefits (Plan P)

This page explains BC PharmaCare's Palliative Care (Plan P) for health professionals.

On this page

• Overview
• Eligibility
• How to register a patient

Overview

The BC Palliative Care Benefits program is available to B.C. residents with active MSP coverage, who have reached the end stage of a life-threatening disease or illness and wish to receive palliative care where they are living.

Eligible patients receive:

• 100% coverage of and dispensing fees and prescribed and over-the-counter palliative medications in the Plan P (Palliative Care) formulary
• Palliative medical supplies and equipment through the local health authority, outlined in the Home and Community Care Policy Manual

Eligibility

Coverage is for B.C. residents of any age who:

• Are living in their own home
  • This could be with family or friends, in a supportive or assisted living residence, a hospice unit in a long-term care facility, such as a community hospice bed not covered under PharmaCare Plan B
• Have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or condition
• Have a life expectancy of up to six months, and
• Consent to the focus of care being palliative rather than treatment aimed at cure

Coverage does not extend to patients in acute care.

Plan P coverage is available to new B.C. residents who have not yet qualified for MSP. Find details in PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 7.8: Palliative Care (Plan P)

How to register a patient

1. A physician or nurse practitioner registers individuals for the BC Palliative Care Benefits program using the BC Palliative Care Benefits Registration form (PDF, 389KB).
2. On the form, they confirm indicators of poor and deteriorating health and a life-limiting condition(s) in the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT™).
3. They fax copies of the form to PharmaCare and the local health authority (to assess for medical supplies and equipment).
4. The form is usually processed within 12 hours.

Unsure if your patient is registered? Call the Palliative Care Confirmation Line at 250-405-3612 (medical/nurse practitioners only). You must provide your college ID (not billing number) to receive information.