Most drug manufacturers have a financial assistance program to help subsidize the cost of their drugs for patients who either have a low income, insurance coverage limits, or both.It's important for you as a plan sponsor to be aware of these so that you can make sure your plan design is appropriately structured to take advantage of these programs.

Step One

• Visit RxHelp.ca or Innovicares.ca and educate your employees about the website
• Find the drug that you or your employee is on
• Print off the corresponding drug card
• Take the card to the pharmacy to synchronize your company plan with the manufacturer's subsidy

Can't find your drug on there?

Try browsing the manufacturer's website for "patient support programs" or similar queries. For example:

• Humira Canada (enrollment form) (rheumatoid arthritis / anti-inflammatory)
• Remicade Canada (telephone enrollment at 1-866-872-5770) (rheumatoid arthritis / anti-inflammatory)
• Neupogen or Neulasta: Victory Program through Amgen (Cancer)
• Enbrel Canada Enliven program - patient assistance / Trillium deductible subsidization 1.877.936.2735

Ontario Government Drug Funding Programs

• Trillium Drug Program: This should be your first stop if you are prescribed very expensive drugs.
• New Drug Funding Program (NDFP)
• Ontario Public Drug Programs

Beneplan recommends the following plan design details:

• Add a drug cap of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. Most of our plans have a $10,000 drug cap.
• Add a co-pay of 10% or 20%
• Educate all employees about all patient assistance programs and the Ontario Trillium Drug Program
• There are more steps required - to learn more, contact Beneplan at 1-800-387-1670 x252.