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No matter how old you are or how much you make, all Manitobans are eligible for Pharmacare coverage. This is a provincial drug benefit program that helps Manitobans pay for their costly prescription drugs.
In order to qualify for the Pharmacare Program you must meet the following criteria:
1. You qualify for Manitoba Health coverage.
2. Your prescriptions medications are not paid by other provincial or federal programs, or by private drug insurance programs.
3. The cost of your eligible prescriptions exceeds your Pharmacare deductible.
Your family income and the amount you pay for eligible prescription drugs determine your Pharmacare coverage. Every Pharmacare year beginning April 1st and ending on March 31st, you are required to pay a deductible, or a portion of the cost of your eligible prescription drugs. This deductible is based on your annual family income.
There is a Deductible Estimator web page where you can calculate your Pharmacare deductible: www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare/estimator.html
At the age of 18 years old, each individual will receive his/her own Manitoba Health registration certificate. He/she should then apply for Pharmacare.
After you apply for the Pharmacare program, you will receive a letter stating your deductible (the amount you need to pay before your drugs are free). When you fill a prescription at your pharmacy you need to present your 9-digit PHIN (Personal Health Identification Number), found at the back of your Manitoba Health card so that your eligible prescriptions will be applied towards your Pharmacare deductible. There is a computer tracking system called DPIN (Drug Programs Information Network), which records your drug history to protect you from adverse drug interactions and also keeps track of your deductible. So, no matter which pharmacy you go to, your drug history is recorded.
Not all drugs are covered by Pharmacare, but it covers eligible prescription medications. You can ask your pharmacist, doctor, or even contact Pharmacare to find out if your prescription drug is eligible.
Once you meet your deductible, your eligible prescription drugs will be given to you from the pharmacy free of charge, but paid for by Pharmacare up until March 31st of the year.
There is a limit as to how much of your prescription Pharmacare will cover. You are entitled to have a maximum of 3 months or 100 days supply of your eligible medication. So if you filled a 3-month supply of your blood pressure medicine today, you cannot get another 3-month supply tomorrow. You will have to wait until you almost finish your supply before you can get more.
For more information talk to your pharmacist or contact:
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3M9
Phone: (204) 786-7141
www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare/index.html
Armalyn Tesoro is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. She is currently working as a licensed community pharmacist at Wal-Mart on Ellice and Empress.