Additional Coverage for Special Cases
Q: What are Special Authority drugs, and how do I get approval?
A: Special Authority drugs are medications not automatically covered by BC Fair Pharmacare but can be approved through a request submitted by a physician, outlining specific conditions for coverage.
Mark, a retired sound technician, needed a specialized medication for arthritis that wasn’t automatically covered by BC Fair Pharmacare. Feeling uncertain about the process, he spoke with Tom about his options.
Tom explained that the Special Authority Program allows for coverage of certain medications under specific conditions. Mark’s physician submitted an online Special Authority request, outlining how the medication met Fair Pharmacare’s criteria. A few days later, the request was approved, and Mark’s medication costs were significantly reduced.
If the request had been denied, Mark could have worked with his doctor or pharmacist to explore alternative medications. This support gave Mark confidence that the plan could adapt to his unique healthcare needs.