安省藥物福利制度更改和政府支付帶狀皰疹疫苗的新进展

今年早些時候，安省政府宣布更改安省的藥物福利制度。提議的變化包括：

從單身老人的收入从$16,018 提高為$ 19,300，高收入夫婦從$24,175提高為$32,300。所有不超过这些值的低收入的老年人將繼續 每張處方支付$ 2，沒有年度的垫底费。

在美健藥房，我們免收$ 2的處方共付费。

這部分建議已於今年8月1日實施了，符合2016年新低收入标准的老年人可申请$ 2的處方共付费。申請表可在網上可找到（點擊下面的鏈接），或者你可以來美健藥房拿一份免費的表格填寫。網上申請表格：http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/FormDetail?OpenForm&ACT=RDR&TAB=PROFILE&SRCH=1&ENV=WWE&TIT=3233-87&NO=014-3233-87

同時，老年人達到或超過新的收入标准的原定需要支付更高的年度垫底费，每年從$ 100提高到$ 170，每張處方支付的費用则由$ 6.11上升到 $ 7.11。然而，由於老人的團體和反對派政治家的強烈抗議，政府撤銷了這一建議。

這意味著，對於老年人達到或超過新的收入年度垫底费將繼續支付$100，他們每張處方共付費仍為$6.11。

在美健藥房，那些需要支付$ 6.11的老年人我们只收$ 2.11。

政府有关支付帶狀皰疹疫苗的新进展

安大略省政府9月15日宣布， 65歲至70歲的老人有資格獲得免費的帶狀皰疹疫苗。

如果你在2016年轉向71岁（即1945年出生），你在今年12月31日之前仍然可以得到免費的帶狀皰疹疫苗。

免費的帶狀皰疹疫苗是通過您的家庭醫生或護士執業提供給您，類似於在醫生辦公室得到您的流感疫苗。

有關安大略省帶狀皰疹疫苗的更多信息，可在以下網頁：

https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-free-shingles-vaccine#section-4

如果您有關於帶狀皰疹疫苗或對安省的藥物福利共同支付的任何問題，請致電905-305-0111，我們美健藥房的藥師会帮助你。

Updates on the Ontario Drug Benefit for seniors and the coverage of shingles vaccines

Earlier this year, the Ontario government announced changes to the Ontario Drug Benefit system. The proposed changes include raising the qualifying income threshold to $19,300 from $16,018 for single seniors, and to $32,300 from $24,175 for senior couples. Low-income seniors who do not surpass the threshold will continue to pay a $2 co-payment per prescription with no annual deductible. 

At Custom Care Pharmacy, we waive the $2 copay for seniors 

This part of the proposal was implemented on August 1, 2016. seniors who are below the income thresholds are now eligible for the Co-payment Application for Seniors. The application form can be found online (click the link below) or you can come to Custom Care Pharmacy to pick up a free form to fill out.

Online application form: 

http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/FormDetail?OpenForm&ACT=RDR&TAB=PROFILE&SRCH=1&ENV=WWE&TIT=3233-87&NO=014-3233-87

Meanwhile, seniors who are at or above the updated income thresholds was going to have to pay more for their annual deductible, from $100 to $170 annually, and the fee paid per prescription, from $6.11 to $7.11. However, due to outcry from senior's groups and opposition politicians, the government withdrew their decision for this part of the proposed changes. 

This means that the annual deductible for seniors who are at or above the updated income thresholds will continue to pay just $100 for their annual deductible and the prescription fee remains at $6.11 per prescription. 

At Custom Care Pharmacy, we waive $2.11 off for seniors that need to pay $6.11 

What about the shingles vaccines? 

The Ontario government announced on September 15th that seniors between the age 65 to 70 years old are eligible to receive the free shingles vaccine. If you are turning 71 in 2016 (i.e. born in 1945) you can still get the free shingles vaccine if you get it before December 31 of this year. 

The free shingles vaccine is provided to you through your family doctor or nurse practitioner, similar to getting your flu shots at your doctor's office. 

More information about the free shingle vaccine in Ontario is available on the following webpage:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-free-shingles-vaccine#section-4

If you have any questions about the shingles vaccine or about the ODB co-payment application, call our pharmacists at Custom Care Pharmacy 905-305-0111.