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Pharmacare Program

About the Pharmacare Program

Pharmacare is a drug benefit program for eligible Manitobans whose income is affected by high prescription drug costs. Coverage is determined by your family’s annual income and the amount you pay for eligible prescription drugs. Each year, you are required to pay a portion of your prescription drugs. This amount is your annual Pharmacare deductible, which is set by Pharmacare based on your adjusted family income. Once the deductible has been reached, Pharmacare pays 100% of eligible prescription costs for the remainder of the benefit year.

You qualify for the Manitoba Pharmacare program if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You are eligible for Manitoba Health coverage.
  • Your prescriptions are not covered by other provincial or federal programs.

 

Applying for Pharmacare

There are two ways to apply to the Pharmacare program,

  • Option A: One-Time Enrolment
  • Option B: Annual Application

 

One-Time Enrolment

When Manitoba residents fill out and sign both the consent and declaration sections of the Pharmacare Application and Consent Authorization Form and send it to Manitoba Health, the Canada Revenue Agency electronically forwards to Manitoba Health the most recent income information. For example the 2021 income level will determine the annual Pharmacare deductible for the 2022/2023 benefit year. The annual deductible is established on April 1 of each benefit year. The one-time program enrolment eliminates the need to submit a completed application form every year.  

Please note that Manitoba residents may apply to Pharmacare anytime during the benefit year (between April 1 and March 31). For example, March 31, 2024 is the last day to submit applications for the 2023/2024 benefit year. Manitobans that choose to withdraw from the one time enrolment must do so in writing to the Pharmacare office.

Are you a newcomer to Manitoba? Or are you 18 and have not filed your first tax return?
Click here for more information on applying.

 

Annual Application

Manitoba residents must fill out and sign both the consent and declaration sections of the Pharmacare Application and Consent Authorization Form and send it to Manitoba Health. Copies of the 2021 Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment indicating the total income (shown on line 150) must be included. Please note:  Applicants who chose to split pension income with his/her spouse in 2021, are required to submit copies of the Canada Revenue Agency 2021 Option C Summary Reports instead of 2021 Notices of Assessment. An Option C Summary Report can be requested from the Canada Revenue Agency by contacting them at 1-800-959-8281.

To be eligible for coverage, applicants must re-apply every year. The Pharmacare benefit year is April 1 to March 31. Manitoba residents may apply any time during the benefit year. March 31, 2024 is the last day to submit applications for the 2023/2024 benefit year.

Are you a newcomer to Manitoba? Or are you 18 and have not filed your first tax return?
Click here for more information on applying.

 

Information for newcomers to Manitoba

Newcomers who have not yet filed their first income tax returns applying for the Pharmacare program should complete and submit the Pharmacare Application and Consent Authorization Form along with a written statement, outlining their total global income in 2021 that is signed and dated. The global income is the income from all sources inside and outside Canada. Once the application has been processed, Pharmacare will send a notification letter indicating the deductible amount.

Over 18 and have not filed your first income tax return

Manitobans who are 18 and have not yet filed their first income tax returns and are applying for the Pharmacare Program should complete the Pharmacare Application and Consent Authorization Form and provide a written declaration of age and income for 2021 that is signed and dated. Once the application has been processed, Pharmacare will send a notification letter indicating the deductible amount.

 

If you are interested in the Pharmacare program, please visit the Manitoba Health website for more information.