Minister Responds to Seniors' Drug Coverage Concerns

Health Minister Jim Smith today urged private insurers who are refusing to provide drug coverage to their plan members to live up to their responsibilities. He called on them to immediately contact their senior members to assure them that their drug insurance needs will be met after April 1.

"I strongly encourage any private insurer who has not responded to their senior members to contact them immediately," Dr. Smith said in the legislature. "Their lack of response is causing seniors great concern."

Seniors in Nova Scotia are not receiving the same benefits as seniors in other provinces with the same plans. In some instances, seniors were required to join Pharmacare to receive the same level of coverage as their private plan provides seniors in other provinces.

"Private insurance plans should provide the same level of benefits to seniors in Nova Scotia," said Dr. Smith. "Seniors in this province are paying the same premium but getting different benefits. They are not being treated fairly and equitably."

As a result, a regulation change to Pharmacare, effective April 1, was made to allow Nova Scotia seniors to obtain the same benefit as seniors living in other provinces. The change means that Pharmacare is no longer the primary insurer for people with private drug insurance. This change was announced in February. Seniors were notified of the change by mail.

Many insurers have already contacted their senior members to tell them that they will be their primary insurer. However, some plans have yet to respond.

The Department of Health has introduced a temporary measure to help those seniors who have not received a response. These seniors can send their $215 premium to Pharmacare. This will help to ensure that they continue to receive the drug coverage they need while they wait to hear back from their private plan. Seniors will be reimbursed the total amount minus the cost of any coverage they needed in the interim period.

In addition, seniors should return the yellow form they received in the mail with the name of their private drug insurance company and the fact that they are still waiting for a response.

Seniors with private drug insurance will not be taken off the Pharmacare program until the matter is resolved with their private plan.

Seniors are encouraged to call Pharmacare at 1-800-544-6191 or 902-429-6565 with any questions.