For Canadians living with diabetes, being able to afford and have access to
the medications, devices and the supplies that they need to manage their diabetes
is a challenge.
Many Canadians have some form of drug insurance plan that pays for all or part
of their medicines, but if they don't, or the drugs or devices are not
covered by their plan, then it can be a challenge to pay for necessary supplies.
In Canada, private drug plans, government assistance programs and federal tax
credits can help you to afford the supplies that you need. The Canadian Diabetes
Association office nearest you can help you to decide which options you qualify
for and how to access them.
You will need to consider the requirements, like:
- your age
- the province or territory where you live
- whether you need to use insulin or not
- whether you claim social assistance or not.
Private drug plans
Drug plans are paid for by the government, an employer, or by an individual.
These plans offer 'managed' benefits, meaning that the drug benefit company
monitors and tries to manage how and when drugs are used. Drug plans create
a list of prescription and non-prescription drugs that are covered under each
plan. Right now, each provincial and territorial government has its own list,
although the Canadian Diabetes Association is advocating for one national list
that will help to reduce the financial burden of diabetes.
Sometimes these lists include medical supplies, such as syringes, but often
they don't. It can take a long time for some drugs and devices to be added
to the list. This is a problem for people with diabetes, as timely management
of the disease is important. You may need to consider other ways to help cover
your diabetes costs, such as government assistance programs.
Government assistance programs
Some provincial governments offer extra assistance to help offset the high
costs of diabetes. Most programs have special requirements, like a maximum household
income, being 65 or over, or not having other insurance coverage. Most of these
programs are managed by the provincial ministries of health. The Canadian Diabetes
Association office nearest you can help you locate the program in your province,
or you can contact your provincial government directly.
One example of a government program is Monitoring for Health, an Ontario Ministry
of Health program that assists with the cost of supplies if you are taking insulin.
The program is available to residents of Ontario who aren't covered by
other insurance plans. A similar Monitoring for Health program is also available
in Alberta, but for people who are not using insulin.
Tax credits
The cost of diabetes-related medications and devices can also be helped by
federal government tax credits. There are four credits available:
- The Disability Tax Credit (DTC), worth $6,595, compensates
Canadians for time taken (minimum of 14 hours) from daily activities to administer
'life-sustaining' therapy, like insulin. Parents of insulin-dependent
children ages 15 and under are more likely to qualify.
- The Medical Expenses Tax Credit applies when the total
medical expenses are more than 3% of your net income or $1,844, whichever
is less.
- A Refundable Medical Expense Supplement of $750 is available
to working Canadians earning $36,663 or less.
- A Child Disability Benefit of $2,000 may apply to parents
with an insulin-dependent child.
Additional Resources
Drug Benefit Plans by Province
Alberta:
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
P.O. Box 1360
Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3
Telephone: (780) 427-1432
Fax: (780) 422-0102
British Columbia:
Ministry of Health & Ministry Responsible for Seniors
P.O. Box 9050
Station Provincial Government
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Telephone: (250) 952-3456
Fax: (250) 952-2194
Manitoba:
Insured Benefits Branch,
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3M9
Telephone: (204) 786-7101
Fax: (204) 783-2171
New Brunswick:
NB Medicare/Prescription Drug Program
P.O. Box 5100
520 King Street
2nd Floor Carleton Place
Fredericton, NB E3B 5G8
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program
Senior Citizens' Plan
P.O. Box 8070, Postal Station A
St. John's, NF A1B 4A6
Telephone: (709) 753-3615
Fax: (709) 739-2929
Nova Scotia:
Nova Scotia Seniors' Pharmacare Program
P.O. Box 9322, Station A
Halifax, NS B3K 6A1
Telephone: 1-800-544-6191
Ontario:
Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care
Hepburn Block
80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1S2
Telephone: 1-800-268-1153
Fax: 1-416-314-8721
Prince Edward Island:
Health and Social Services Acute Continuing Care
P.O. Box 2000, 16 Garfield St.
Charlottetown, PE C1A 6L9
Telephone: (902) 368-6711
Fax: (902) 368-6136
Quebec:
Ministry of Health and Social Services
1075 Ste-Foy Road
Quebec, QC G1S 2M1
Telephone: 1-800-707-3380
Saskatchewan:
Department of Health
T.C. Douglas Building
3475 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 6X6
Telephone: 1-800-667-7766
For more information about the availability of diabetes supplies, please consult
Access to Diabetes Medication, Supplies and Medical Devices.
For guidelines for claiming a federal tax credit for diabetes supplies, please
visit Medical Expense and Disability Tax Credits and Attendant Care Expense
Deduction.
For more information about how the federal tax credits and benefits apply to
you, visit A User-Friendly 2005 Guide to Federal Tax Credits and Benefits for
Canadians living with Diabetes.
For more information about Catastrophic Drug Plan, refer to the results of
the Diabetes Report The Serious Face of Diabetes in Canada.
| 
