Starting April 1, 2023, the province of British Columbia began fully reimbursing many prescription contraceptives for any resident enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP). The list of covered items includes:
- Copper IUDs
- Hormonal IUDs
- Hormone injection
- Hormone implant
- Oral contraceptives
- Emergency contraceptives (no prescription required)
How does it work?
Under this new program, there is no registration or forms to complete. British Columbia residents simply need to present their prescription and BC Services Card at their pharmacy to receive the products. The Ministry of Health is also expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists to be able to prescribe contraception effective June 1, 2023.
Based on an analysis across GreenShield’s book of business, this change is estimated to save $1.3M during the first year.
More information about the program is available here.
What does this mean for GreenShield plan members?
In alignment with our provincial coordination policy, when our system confirms that both the plan member’s province of residence and the provider’s location are in British Columbia, claims for products eligible under the new program (full or partial) will not be eligible for reimbursement under GreenShield drug plans.
Any claimants currently taking one of the few contraceptive products not covered under the new program have been granted a coverage extension until August 31 and will receive a communication in early June asking them to speak with their pharmacist or prescriber about switching to one of the many fully covered options eligible under the new program.
Questions?
Speak to your account team to learn more about British Columbia’s new program and its impact to your plan.
