Psychiatric Medications Plan (Plan G)
Last updated: Jue 28, 2023
The Psychiatric Medications Plan (Plan G) is available to B.C. residents of any age who demonstrate clinical and financial need. The plan covers certain psychiatric medications and drugs for the treatment of opioid addiction.
On this page: General information | Length of coverage | Exceptional coverage | Bridge coverage | Plan G regular and limited coverage benefits
General information
A physician or nurse practitioner (the prescriber) confirms patient eligibility, along with the local mental health and substance use centre, or Child and Youth Mental Health.
- Complete the Application for PharmaCare Plan G form (PDF, 896KB) on the patient's behalf
- Fax to either:
- Local mental health and substance use centre
- Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) centre, or
- Mental health contact at local health authority
For reference:
- List of Mental Health and Substance Use Centres (PDF, 179KB)
- List of Child and Youth Mental Health Services Centres (PDF, 115KB)
Length of coverage
- Regular Plan G coverage: one year at a time—renewable
- Exceptional coverage (for B.C. residents whose MSP coverage is not active yet): 6 months—not renewable
- Urgent Plan G bridge coverage: 3 months—can be provided as many times as needed
IMPORTANT: Please monitor the one-year renewal date for regular coverage, and if possible, contact patients to apply for another year of coverage if needed. PharmaCare currently does not have a way to directly let patients know their coverage is coming to an end.
Exceptional Plan G coverage
Plan G exceptional coverage is:
- For B.C. residents in the wait period for MSP coverage or who are about to apply
- Available for a single 6-month term
- Not renewable—MSP enrolment is required for further Plan G coverage
Complete section E of the Plan G application form:
- Prescriber attests patient has applied for MSP or knows they must apply as soon as possible
- Prescriber signs to certify that the patient knows exceptional Plan G coverage is for 6 months, and that they must enrol in MSP and apply for regular (1-year) Plan G coverage for continued coverages
Residents can apply for MSP at www.gov.bc.ca/ahdc
Plan G bridge coverage
Plan G bridge coverage is available in urgent circumstances. It can be applied for by practitioners in:
- Emergency departments (EDs)
- Rapid Access Addiction Clinics (RAACs)
- Urgent primary care centres (UPCCs)
- Correctional centres (provincial and federal)
For bridge coverage, fill out sections A, B and D of the Plan G Application form and fax directly to HIBC at 250-405-3896. (Plan G forms are normally sent to a mental health and substance use centre for processing before being sent on to HIBC.) The expedited administrative process means Plan G coverage can be activated more quickly.
Plan G bridge coverage is provided for 3 months. To ensure continued coverage, patients should see a practitioner to apply for regular Plan G coverage before the 3-month period is up.
Note: A practitioner may apply for exceptional coverage (i.e., if patient is not enrolled in or is in the wait period for MSP coverage) and bridge coverage for the same patient at the same time with a single form, sent directly to HIBC.
Plan G regular and Special Authority benefits
The table below lists Plan G regular benefits. PharmaCare fully or partially covers these benefits. This list is intended as a general reference only. It may not reflect the most recent changes to the Plan G formulary. Use the PharmaCare Formulary Search to see the most up-to-date list. Click on "Psychiatric Medications" under Select PharmaCare Plan.
Some Plan G drugs are limited coverage and require Special Authority approval. They are on the Special Authority drug list, with "Plan G" indicated next the drug's generic name.
Important: PharmaCare Plan G may not cover all available formulations (e.g., tablet, injection) and strengths (e.g., 5 mg and 10 mg) of the drugs listed below.
If PharmaCare covers a generic version of a drug, PharmaCare generally covers only part of the cost of the brand product. Some generic versions may not be covered under the Low Cost Alternative Program.
| Generic Drug Name | Brand Drug Name |
|---|---|
| alprazolam | Xanax® |
| amantadine | Symmetrel® |
| amitriptyline | Elavil® |
| amitriptyline hydrochloride | PMS-Amitriptyline |
| atenolol | Tenormin® |
| benztropine | Bensylate® |
| bromazepam | Lectopam® |
| bromocriptine | Parlodel® |
| buprenorphine/naloxone | Suboxone® |
| busiprone | Buspar® |
| carbamazepine | Tegretol® |
| chloral hydrate | Noctec® |
| chlordiazepoxide | Librium® |
| chlorpromazine | Largactil® |
| citalopram | Celexa® |
| clomipramine | Anafranil® |
| clonazepam | Rivotril® |
| clonidine | Catapres® |
| clonidine | Dixarit® |
| clorazepate | Tranxene® |
| clozapine | Clozaril® |
| desipramine | Norpramin® |
| dextroamphetamine | Dexedrine® |
| diazepam | Valium® |
| diazepam | Vivol® |
| diphenhydramine injection | diphenhydramine injection USP |
| disulfiram | Antabuse® |
| divalproex | Epival® |
| doxepin | Sinequan® |
| droperidol | Inapsine® |
| escitalopram | Cipralex® |
| fluoxetine | FXT 40® |
| fluoxetine | Prozac® |
| flupenthixol | Fluanxol® |
| flupenthixol decanoate | Fluanxol Depot® |
| fluphenazine | Moditen® |
| fluphenazine decanoate | Modecate Concentrate® |
| fluphenazine decanoate | Modecate Injection® |
| flurazepam | Dalmane® |
| fluvoxamine | Luvox® |
| hydromorphone 8 mg | Dilaudid |
| hydromorphone 8 mg | Pms-hydromorphone |
| hydromorphone 8 mg | Teva-hydromorphone |
| hydromorphone 8 mg | Apo-hydromorphone |
| imipramine | Impril® |
| imipramine | Tofranil® |
| lamotrigine | Lamictal® |
| levodopa / carbidopa combination tablet | Sinemet® |
| levothyroxine | Eltroxin® |
| levothyroxine | Synthroid® |
| liothyronine | Cytomel® |
| lithium carbonate | Carbolith® |
| lithium carbonate | Duralith® |
| lithium carbonate | Lithane® |
| lorazepam | Ativan® |
| loxapine | Loxapac® |
| maprotiline | Ludiomil® |
| methadone | Methadose™, Metadol-D® |
| methotrimeprazine | Nozinan® |
| methylphenidate | Ritalin® |
| mirtazapine | Remeron® |
| moclobemide | Manerix® |
| morphine (24-hour slow-release) | Kadian® |
| nitrazapam | Mogadon® |
| nortriptyline | Aventyl® |
| oxazepam | Serax® |
| paliperidone | Invega® |
| paroxetine | Paxil® |
| pericyazine | Neuleptil® |
| perphenazine | Trilafon® |
| phenelzine | Nardil® |
| pimozide | Orap® |
| pindolol | Visken® |
| pipotiazine | Piportil-L4 Injection® |
| procyclidine | Kemadrin® |
| propranolol | Inderal® |
| quetiapine | Seroquel® |
| risperidone | Risperdal® |
| sertraline | Zoloft® |
| temazepam | Restoril® |
| tetrabenazine | Nitoman® |
| thiothixene | Navane® |
| tranylcypromine | Parnate® |
| trazodone | Desyrel® |
| triazolam | Halcion® |
| trifluoperazine | Stelazine® |
| trihexyphenidyl | Artane® |
| trimipramine | Surmontil® |
| tryptophan | Tryptan® |
| valproic acid | Depakene® |
| venlafaxine | Effexor® |
| yohimbine | Yocan® |
| zuclopenthixol | Clopixol® |
Related links
Opioid use disorder treatment
PharmaCare covers Methadose™, buprenorphine/naloxone, and Kadian® 24-hour slow-release oral morphine for opioid use disorder treatment under Plan G. Read more:
