Overview of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program

The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program

The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program provides financial assistance in the purchase of eligible prescription medications for those who reside in the province. There are four main plans under the program:

The Foundation Plan
The 65Plus Plan
The Access Plan
The Assurance Plan New!

The Foundation Plan

The Foundation Plan provides 100 per cent coverage of eligible prescription drugs for those who need the greatest support. This includes persons and families in receipt of income support benefits through the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and certain individuals receiving services through the Regional Health Authorities, including children in the care of Child, Youth and Family Services, and individuals in supervised care.

How to apply: No application is necessary. A Prescription Drug Program card is automatically issued when the Department of Health and Community Services is notified that an individual is in receipt of the above noted services.

The 65Plus Plan

This plan provides coverage of eligible prescription drugs to residents 65 years of age and older who receive Old Age Security benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Coverage does not include professional (i.e. dispensing) fees.

How to apply: No application is necessary. A Prescription Drug Program card is automatically issued when the Department of Health and Community Services is notified by Service Canada that an individual is in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Old Age Security benefits (OAS).

The Access Plan

The Access Plan gives individuals and families with low incomes access to eligible prescription medications. The amount of coverage is determined by net income level and family status. The program is available to:

families with children, including single parents, with net annual incomes of $30,000 or less;

couples without children with net annual incomes of $21,000 or less;

single individuals with net annual incomes of $19,000 or less.

How to apply: To apply for The Access Plan, you must complete an application form. Forms are also available at pharmacies and physician offices. You may also call 1-888-859-3535 and ask that an application be mailed to you.

There is also automatic eligibility for specified dental health care services for 13-17 year olds in families who qualify for the Access Plan. The services are administered under the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Health Program.

Information regarding the dental coverage can be obtained by calling 1-800-440-4405.
The Assurance Plan

This plan offers protection for individuals and families against the financial burden of eligible high drug costs, whether be it from the cost of one extremely high cost drug or the combined cost of different drugs.

Depending on their income level, individuals and families will be assured that their annual out-of-pocket eligible drug costs will be capped at either 5, 7.5 or 10 per cent of their net family income.

Those with net incomes up to $39,999 will pay a maximum of 5 per cent of their net income for eligible drugs.

Those with net incomes of $40,000 up to $74,999 will pay a maximum of 7.5 per cent for eligible drugs.

Those earning $75,000 up $149,999 will pay a maximum of 10 per cent of their net income for eligible drugs.

How to apply: To apply for The Assurance Plan, you must complete an application form . Forms are also available at pharmacies and physician offices. You may also call 1-888-859-3535 and ask that an application be mailed to you.

The NLPDP also provides 100% coverage for disease specific medications and supplies for patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Growth Hormone Deficiency.

Questions and Answers

What if I have private insurance?

If you have private insurance, you may still be eligible for the NLPDP. In this case, you are required to bill your private insurance first.

What drugs are covered by the NLPDP?

The program covers a variety drugs that require a prescription, plus a small number of other over-the-counter items that do not legally require a prescription. However, these products must be prescribed to be covered under NLPDP programs.

In addition, some drugs are covered under special authorization, meaning that certain criteria must be met. These require written requests by the prescriber which are then assessed by the Department of Health and Community Services.

Does the program cover other medical expenses (e.g. eyeglasses)?

No. This program is only for coverage of eligible prescription drugs and a limited number of over-the-counter drugs.

How do I get my drug card?

If eligible, you will receive a drug card for you and each eligible member of your family in the mail. This card must be presented to your pharmacist with the prescription for the individual named on the card every time a prescription is filled.

Who is eligibile?

To be assessed for eligibility for any of the drug plans, you must be a Canadian resident residing in Newfoundland and Labrador and must meet the criteria for one of the plans under the program.

All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted.
The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.