Register for the Family Pharmacare Program
The Family Pharmacare Program is a provincial drug assistance plan that helps families with the cost of prescription drugs. You can register for the program if you don’t have prescription drug coverage or if the cost of your prescription drugs becomes a financial burden.
Use the Family Pharmacare Program Registration Form to get help with the cost of prescription drugs. You can register any time.
The Family Pharmacare program is a provincial drug assistance plan that helps families with the cost of prescription drugs, supplies and related services.
The program offers protection against drug costs for families who have no drug coverage. It also helps families if the cost of the prescription drugs becomes a financial burden to them.
Once you’re enrolled in the program, your Health Card becomes your Pharmacare Card.
There’s no premium or fee to join the Family Pharmacare Program. If you don’t need any prescriptions, you don’t have to pay anything.
If you need prescriptions, you need to pay the full cost until you reach your deductible. The program has annual family copayment and deductible maximums that are set depending on a family’s size and annual income. You can calculate your Family Pharmacare premium using the Family Pharmacare Program calculator.
Benefits
The Family Pharmacare Program pays for drugs, supplies and related services. The Nova Scotia Formulary outlines which drugs, supplies and services are benefits under the program.
Updating your personal information
You need to notify the Family Pharmacare Program and MSI Resident Services if there are any changes to your personal information (like change of address).
Coverage for sensor-based glucose monitoring
You have several options for sensor-based glucose monitoring coverage. Options include the Sensor-based Glucose Monitoring Program, Seniors’ Pharmacare Program, Family Pharmacare Program and Department of Opportunities and Social Development Pharmacare Benefits Program. You can only have coverage under 1 program (compare the programs to determine what program best suits your personal and financial needs).
Eligibility
You can register for the program if you:
- are a Nova Scotia resident
- have a Health Card (the card can’t be expired)
- agree to the Canada Revenue Agency verifying your family income each year
- agree to provide information on the size of your family each year
You’re not eligible for the program if you’re currently getting drug coverage through:
- Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
- Under 65-Long Term Care Pharmacare Plan
- Department of Opportunities and Social Development Pharmacare Benefits Program
Only 1 person per family can apply. A family is defined as:
- single adult (18 or older whether or not you’re living with your parents)
- adult and spouse or partner (a spouse or partner is a person who is married to you or who you’re living with in a common-law relationship)
- adult and all dependant children (a dependant child can only be registered with 1 family at any time); a dependant child is defined as:
- child or legal ward of you or your spouse or partner
- supported by you or your spouse or partner
- 17 or younger
- not married and not living in a common-law (marriage-like) relationship
- adult, spouse or partner and all dependant children
How to register
- Review detailed program criteria in the Family Pharmacare Program Guide.
- Complete the Family Pharmacare Program Registration Form (PDF).
- Check the registration form for details on all required supporting documents.
- Submit your completed registration form and supporting documents.
If you’d like to receive a paper registration form by mail, contact the Family Pharmacare Program.
How long it takes
It should take 1 to 2 weeks to find out if your registration is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
There is no cost to register.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- reviewed detailed program criteria in the Family Pharmacare Program Guide
- Health Card number for each member of your family
- Social Insurance Number for you and your spouse, if applicable
- your spouse available to sign the form, if applicable
Register online
When you submit the form online you need to create an account or sign in. You also need to upload the Family Pharmacare Program Registration Form PDF and any supporting documents.
You can use the Family Pharmacare Program Registration Form (PDF 183 kB) if you’re unable to submit the form online. Send your completed form and supporting documents by mail or fax.
Renewal
You need to renew your registration by 1 April each year. You should get a renewal notice by mail or email. It’s your responsibility to renew on time.