Drug Benefit Program
Low-income residents eligible for the Supplementary Health Benefits Program would be eligible for the drug benefits program, which covers the cost of their prescription drugs. As well, residents who have drug coverage under their employer-sponsored or third-party insurance plans may also benefit. Once their insurance coverage has been exhausted, those residents can apply to the Drug Benefit Program to receive assistance for the high cost of drugs. Cost sharing and coverage levels will be determined by how much income they earn.
The advantage of having a separate drug benefit program is that drug benefits would be available to all residents, reducing potentially catastrophic drug costs for individuals and families.
Providing both streams of benefits for residents who currently do not have any access will help support better health outcomes and ultimately reduce the financial demands on the acute care services within the health system.