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.
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